How to apply liquid cattle feed? In general, the best liquid feed can be applied in two ways:
- By spraying with a conventional spraying machine, liquid feed in TX is used to apply phytosanitary products in extensive crops.
- Utilizing fertigation mixed in the irrigation water, either in a sprinkler or drip irrigation.
Even so, depending on the type of liquid feed and liquid supplements, one or the other option will be more or less convenient.
By spraying or fertigation?
In the type of liquid feed absorbed through the roots, we want the feed to reach the ground. For this reason, it is applied in a stream with special nozzles. In addition, liquid supplements absorbed through the roots are not usually mixed with water. They are applied directly.
Applying this type of liquid supplements with fertigation performs a minimum dissolution since it is a very saline product that can damage irrigation infrastructures. This salinity and the high content of nutrients mean that they cannot be applied in drip irrigation since the dose cannot be controlled. The main problem when applying liquid feed with fertigation is that when the crop is highly developed, it is difficult for the product to reach the soil, and, absorption is rooted.
In the case of liquid foliar feed, when applied with a spray, the application is carried out as if it were phytosanitary. Foliar feeds can even be mixed with phytosanitary products. The most common is that they are mixed with fungicides or insecticides. The compost dissolves in water, and spray nozzles are used to ensure that the product comes into contact with the maximum possible leaf surface.
Foliar liquid feeds can be used in fertigation without problem as they are dissolved in water, either in a sprinkler or drip irrigation. The only difference is that if we use them in drip irrigation, we force the absorption to be root. This is not a problem since the plant can absorb these fertilizers in both ways. The only difference is that foliar absorption is faster.
Advantages and disadvantages of liquid feeds in TX
- A factor that interests every farmer is the price. Due to their specificity, liquid feeds are among the most expensive types of liquid cattle feed on the market.
- Liquid cattle feed have many advantages over solid feeds. There are water-soluble powders used the same as the liquid cattle feed and at the same price.
- If we compare liquid root absorption feeds with granulated solid feeds, which are the two main types of mineral fertilizer used. We find the first advantage of the liquid cattle feeds. The price of liquid feeds is lower for the same amount of nutrients.
- Another great advantage of liquid feed is absorption. In granulated liquid supplements, you must wait for the product to dissolve in the soil water, which can take a long time in times of drought. In the case of liquids, this process is faster.
- The uniformity of application is also greater due to the machinery used. A correct application is made without overlaps and without leaving areas where the product does not reach.
