Liquid Fertiliser Storage Made Easy

This situation is no longer the case with a Bushman fertiliser tank that has a range of sizes from 5,000 to 38,000 litres. These tanks are used in small horticultural farms through to large scale broad acre farming operations.

Liquid fertilisers have proven that they improve yields and crop returns. They offer the farmer a wide range of benefits over and above traditional solid fertilisers. These include;

• The ability to applied easily both pre and post emergence.
• Can be applied during the growing period when the crop needs the additional nutrients.
• Money is not spent on fertilisers until you know there is sufficient moisture to finish the crop.
• Leaf analysis allows the liquid fertiliser to be blended to the specific needs of the crop.

One of the keys to the use of liquid fertilisers is on farm storage which simple, cost effective and safe. Fertiliser tanks are not a water or fuel tanks which can be adapted but are a specialist product which is designed for storing fertilisers safely.

Polyethylene is the best tank material for storing fertilisers but fibre glass can also be used. Polyethylene provides a tough and robust storage unit and it is suited to the farm environment because it is flexible and strong. The key is the tank must be designed and manufactured to hold fertilisers which are significantly heavier than water.

Some of the key elements to consider in designing a fertiliser tank includes the inlet and outlet fittings which must be able to hold up to constant connecting and disconnecting, manholes which allow ease of cleaning, adequate venting and the ability to be moved easily.

The important fittings include the level gauge, a fill pipe that is easily accessed at ground level, outlet valve which allows fast empting of the tanks and a venting system which ensures that the tank will not be pressurised in the filling or empting process.

The big issue to remember is fertilisers are considered as a chemical and the safe storage is critical to ensure there is no spillage or problems with the storage tank. When it comes to fertiliser tanks quality and a durable design are critical.

Source: Company