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Do not wait to report poor
fertiliser quality
If you suspect or experience problems with fertiliser quality, follow the steps below:
• Contact the fertiliser representative from whom you bought the fertiliser and insist on an investi-
gation on site. Also keep a record of the dates and conversations.
• Gather and write down as much information as possible, take photos or make videos to refer
back to later.
• Try to retain as many sealed bags as possible in case samples have to be taken at a later stage.
If the problem is not resolved, do not wait too long before considering the steps below:
• Contact an independent scientist to do an investigation on site.
• Inform Grain SA if the fertiliser company cannot provide the required attention and solutions for
the relevant problems.
It is extremely important for fertiliser samples to be taken correctly. Fertiliser samples for testing
fertiliser quality can be taken by the ARC-GCI in collaboration with the fertiliser company. Produc-
ers can contact Grain SA, FERTASA or the ARC-GCI directly in this regard to take and analyse
samples for quality testing.
The samples must be taken in accordance with the prescriptions on pages 62 to 67 of the
Regulations to Act No. 36 of 1947. The Regulations are available on the FERTASA website:
If a producer still suspects that there are problems with the fertiliser he purchased after the matter
was taken up with the fertiliser company, he can contact Grain SA or lodge a complaint directly
with the Registrar of Act No. 36 of 1947.
Corné Louw, senior economist: Inputs, Grain SA
• Calculate the plant population in number of
seeds/ha as follows:
1 000 x number of seeds counted over 10 m
Planter’s row spacing in metres
• If the plant population must be changed,
change the gear combinations as indicated
on the calibration table of the planter.
• If there are many double seed deliveries or
seed is not delivered at all, make sure that
the right tray has been selected for the seed
size for tray planters. The correct vacuum
delivery for vacuum planters should be
checked. Finger-wheel planter dispensing
mechanisms should be serviced.
Johan van Biljon: SAILI
How to calibrate your planter
Continued from p. 71
72 GRAANGIDS 2016 GRAIN GUIDE