Northern Irish manufacturer Slurryquip is currently in the trial stages of its latest innovation. Named NPak, the patent-pending system has been designed as a retrofit solution for both the mixing and application of liquid fertiliser via slurry in a controlled fashion.

The Slurryquip NPaK system essentially consists of two parts – firstly, a mixing unit (which remains located in the farmyard, dissolves granular fertiliser, using water as a solvent); and secondly, the retrofit tanker-mounted application unit.

Although still in prototype stages, the firm has exclusively told the Irish Farmers Journal that there will be two mixing unit options available.

These will consist of a basic unit for mixing the main granular-type fertilisers and a higher-specification unit for additionally mixing lime, molasses and small seeds, ie clover, grass, etc.

On the prototype unit, the liquid fertiliser is stored in a 200l plastic tank to the rear of the slurry tanker.

Slurryquip said that production units will have two saddle tanks, mounted in front of each mudguard and out of harm’s way.

In the field, the operator inputs the required liquid fertiliser and slurry application rate in l/ac via the control screen.

From here, through the use of flow meters, the correct amount of liquid fertiliser is injected into the macerator inlet pipe via a hydraulic circulation pump before it is distributed down each outlet hose of the dribble bar and out on to the surface within the slurry.

Depending on customer requirements, the firm has said that there will be an option to fit the system with a near infrared sensor, which will measure the constituents of the slurry and, in turn, add the exact amount of liquid fertiliser required regardless of the tractor’s forward speed.

Trials

It is believed that countrywide trials are under way with the prototype NPaK system, which is fitted to one of the firm’s own 2,250gal Cerberus tankers and 7.8m front-mounted dribble bar.

The Co Down-based firm is so far reporting what it describes as impressive results, with reduced nitrogen losses and potential savings in chemical fertiliser usage compared with granular broadcast methods.

Such results, it believes, are due to two main factors.

Firstly, it suggests there is a more-precise placement of fertiliser since it is applied within the slurry, followed by less reliance on rain after application for absorption into soil.

Secondly, Slurryquip has noticed the rate of absorption is both faster and higher and therefore reduces the level of volatilisation and leeching.

With the certainty of compulsory reductions in chemical fertiliser usage on farms into the future, Slurryquip believes this patent-pending solution can bring benefits for both the farmer and the environment.

The full retrofit NPaK unit is expected to cost in the region of €5,910 to €7,090 (£5,000 to £6,000) plus VAT, depending on specification, and is planned to be available for purchase during 2022.