Watch your P's & K's for cereals |
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What value straw?
The financial contribution from the sale of straw is increasingly important in supplementing low cereal returns. This raises the question as to what it is worth to the farm on which it is grown. It is clearly important that baling and removal of straw does not delay or interfere with necessary post harvest operations but the main costs to be considered are the P and K exported. The figures below provide general guidelines. In practice there could be large variations according to individual circumstances.
| Typical total nutrient value of straw | ||||
| £/t straw | £/ha* | |||
| Winter wheat/barley | £2.50 | £13 | ||
| Spring wheat/barley | £3.30 | £15 | ||
| Oats | £4.50 | £20 | ||
| * Assuming typical straw yields from grain yields of | 8t/ha for winter wheat/barley crops 7t/ha for spring wheat/barley crops 7t/ha for oat crops |
Conclusion
Economic pressures must not divert cereal growers from following long-established principles of good nutrient management. The reduction in basal nutrient use which has occurred over recent years is not sustainable and farmers should review the specific phosphate and potash needs of their soils and crops before planting.
More information
More detail on this subject is provided in PDA leaflet 11 "Potash for Cereals".