Vogelsang have launched a new acid dosing system, SyreN, to reduce organic fertiliser emissions and increase the amount of nitrogen available to the crop.
SyreN is an onboard sulphuric acid dosing system that treats slurry or digestate as it is applied to the crop. Results from a German study, carried out over three years by the Chamber of Agriculture for Lower Saxony, showed that acidifying slurry led to a 20% increase in yield. While Vogelsang has said that the SyreN system can convert up to 70% of harmful ammonia emissions to nutrient-rich ammonium.
The nitrogen uptake to organic fertiliser is increased because the acid causes it to grow by approximately a third when it converts the ammonia to ammonium. By converting ammonia to ammonium, the pH level of organic fertiliser can be lowered to between 6.3 and 6.4 for a more consistent and efficient application, the organic fertiliser is also more easily absorbed by the soil, so more nutrients reach the crop.
A front-linkage mounted unit carries the acid, which improves tractor weight distribution. The acid is dosed when the organic fertiliser is fed to the applicator, with a pH regulator automatically controlling and adjusting the flow. It is also possible to add a side tank for additives such as a nitrification inhibitor and a further water tank to flush the system. The entire system can be retrofitted to almost any dribble bar, trailing shoe, or injection applicator, and span widths up to 36m.
“It is becoming more widely accepted that if agriculture is going to meet the proposed clean air act that slurry will need to be treated with sulphuric acid. With SyreN, Vogelsang is offering the technology to reduce emissions, increase plant-available nitrogen and increase yields today. And so, we ask, why wait?” concluded SyreN specialist, Sion Williams.
For more information go to www.vogelsang.info