SA Grain July 2017

Julie 2017

FOCUS

Fertilisers

Special

New programme for fertiliser quality

monitoring in full swing

rain SA, in collaboration with

Fertasa, the Department of Agri-

culture, Forestry and Fisheries

(DAFF), the Sasol Agricultural

Trust and other sponsors, once again this

year started with a fertiliser quality moni-

toring project. This project will be bigger

than ever before and the aim is to collect

150 fertiliser samples, throughout the year,

across the country.

Until 2012/2013, the industry had a ferti-

liser quality monitoring project, but it was

terminated due to funding difficulties and

improved fertiliser quality results. But over

the past few years, since the monitoring

project was terminated, the structure of

the fertiliser industry has seen significant

changes. Many small fertiliser blenders

have been set up all over the country. This

is positive for competition in the fertiliser

market, but places some focus on the qual-

ity of fertiliser being produced.

For the first time samples have been drawn

this year in the Western Cape. In April 2017,

Mr William Deale (previously from the

ARC-Grain Crops) trained DAFF inspectors

in theory and in practice to collect ferti-

liser samples and interpret the results. A

total of 37 fertiliser samples were taken in

the Western Cape, including samples of

Omnia (eleven), Profert (two), Nitrophoska

(eight), Constantia (five) and Yara (eleven).

The remaining samples will be taken in

the summer grain production areas later

this year.

The fertiliser monitoring is managed strictly

according to an agreed protocol and Act 36

of 1947. It is important for readers to take

note of the said protocol.

The role-players in this industry-driven

project are DAFF, Grain SA, Fertasa end

the Sasol Agricultural Trust. To assist with

the management of the project, Mr Wil-

liam Deale previously from ARC-Grain

Crops has been contracted. DAFF (Act

36 of 1947) made available inspectors to

assist with the large amount of samples

that needs to be taken.

Procedure for

implementation

Deale, Fertasa and Grain SA need to iden-

tify producers as the collection points for

at least 140 fertiliser samples and at least

ten lime samples. Grain SA and Fertasa

will draw up a list of fertiliser companies

(members and non-members) to be moni-

tored. The number of samples per company

should be allocated and made available to

Deale. He is in charge of taking the samples

and will train and supervise the inspectors

of Act 36 of 1947.

All samples, as mentioned, should be tak-

en according to the prescribed protocol as

per Act 36 of 1947, in identified winter and

summer rainfall areas.

All collections will be done in collaboration

with nominated representatives of the par-

ticipating fertiliser companies.

All samples from a specific fertiliser batch

are divided into three sub-samples.

As cost saving measure only one sub-sam-

ple of the split samples, as mentioned,

needs to be sent to the independent accred-

ited nominated laboratory for testing. Deale

retains the other two samples taken for ref-

erence and retesting purposes, if required.

Period of giving notice to

fertiliser companies

Nominated representatives of fertiliser

companies will be notified three to five

days before sampling on farms, and one

day notice for sampling at their premises.

Sampling procedure

Sampling shall be done in accordance with

the detailed guidelines in the September

2012 regulations in terms of Act 36 of 1947.

Granular/blended fertilisers

and aglime

The guidelines make provision for a sam-

pling tube for the sampling of granular (dry)

fertiliser. It should be endeavoured to take

at least a 12 kg sample. The whole sam-

ple should be split in three equal parts by

means of an electric splitter. (One sample

is to be sent to the independent laboratory

by Deale [then analysed in duplicate] and

the remaining two samples are to be kept

for retesting, if required.)

Aglime sampling is done with a small

spade after the outside ‘crust’ of the lime

heap has been removed. Bulk or mini-bulk

bags are sampled from the top of stacks

and from the bag openings with a sampl-

ing tube.

If a fertiliser company is dissatisfied with

the result of the tested sample, they can

request Deale to test another sample at an

independent AgriLASA-certified labora-

tory. Deale will send the sample to them

and the results have to be sent directly to

him for analysis.

If this test indicates that the sample is with-

in the required quality limits, the third

sample should also be analysed. All par-

ties should be satisfied with the laboratory

used for the third analysis. A lab that has

not been used yet should be considered for

the specific sample. After the third result

was obtained, Deale should calculate an

average to determine if the quality is

within the set limits. This decision/result

will be final.

When it is concluded that the quality is

inferior, the producer should take it up with

the fertiliser company involved. If it can-

not be solved between the two parties,

the producer can contact DAFF, Fertasa or

Grain SA.

Liquid fertilisers

Samples shall only be taken from tankers

after filling at factory/blending sites with

an Indiana sampling bottle (or similar in-

strument), before being delivered to pro-

ducers. Please note that the delivery note

number should be recorded with the sam-

ple numbers. If necessary, sparging or

circulating of fertiliser shall be allowed for

30 minutes before sampling. If tankers

have more than one tank, sub-samples shall

be taken from each tank to be composed

in one sample. No samples shall be taken

from on-farm vessels or tankers.

CORNÉ LOUW,

senior economist: Inputs, Grain SA

Industry protocol to monitor fertiliser or aglime quality