Media release no.
Grain growers have been urged not to rely on nutrient carry over when making decisions about their fertiliser strategy this season. Some farmers believe that a disappointing crop grown in a dry year does not use all the available soil nutrients, leaving additional nutrients for the next crop. Agriculture Western Australia principal research officer Dr Bill Bowden warned that while there may be larger than average carry over to the next season of some nutrients, others may not be as available. Dr Bowden said farmers would benefit more from considering mainstream factors when deciding their fertiliser strategy, than worrying about minor changes in nutrient availability due to last year's poor season. Dr Bowden said as a rule, the difference in the run down of carry over availability from the yield in a poor season compared to that of a better season was small, and that there were more important factors to consider for any season.