More expensive fertilisers: why precision application matters even more today

In recent years, the cost of fertilisers has become one of the most sensitive issues for farms. Following the sharp fluctuations recorded since 2021, the market continues to be characterised by high prices and significant exposure to energy and international market dynamics. In the first quarter of 2026, according to Eurostat, prices of fertilisers and soil improvers in the European Union rose by 6.6 per cent compared with the same period the previous year. The European Commission also reports that, in April 2026, overall prices for nitrogen fertilisers were 71 per cent higher than the 2024 average.

Source: Eurostat – Agricultural prices in the first quarter of 2026

In this context, using fertiliser effectively becomes even more important. Any amount applied in excess of what is necessary represents a cost, whilst an insufficient or uneven application can compromise crop yields. The key, therefore, is not simply to reduce the quantity used, but to apply it as accurately as possible, avoiding overlaps, calibration errors and imprecise applications.

When it comes to fertiliser application, in fact, the dosage set on the machine is only part of the job. The layout of the field, the forward speed, the working width, the characteristics of the fertiliser and the presence of field margins or headlands can all affect the distribution outcome. A real field rarely has perfectly uniform conditions, and maintaining the same parameters in every situation can result in some areas being over-applied whilst others receive less than the intended amount.

Overlaps are one of the most obvious examples. Near headlands or on irregular plots, the fertiliser spreader may pass over areas that have already been treated. If the spreading width remains unchanged, part of the surface receives fertiliser again, leading to greater product consumption and an uneven distribution of the total dose.

It is precisely in these situations that technology can help improve the efficiency of the operation. Section Control allows the working width to be automatically adjusted according to the machine’s position and the area already treated. In the most advanced DCM systems, GPS-based control enables the management of different spreading sections, particularly on irregularly shaped fields.

This means applying fertiliser where it is needed, minimising overlap without requiring the operator to make constant manual adjustments. This aspect becomes even more important as the cost of the product rises: even a small difference in the quantity applied can become significant when multiplied across many hectares.

The same principle applies to dose control. Whilst working, the tractor’s speed may change, as may operating conditions. Weighing and adjustment systems allow the product in the hopper to be monitored and provide greater control over the flow of fertiliser. On compatible DCM models, load cells and electronic control systems enable this control to be integrated directly into the spreading process.

However, precision does not necessarily mean spreading the same quantity at every point in the field. Soil types, crops and agronomic conditions may have different requirements even within the same plot. Through prescription maps and variable rate application, it is possible to adjust the application rate whilst working and apply different quantities in various areas according to the instructions received.

This approach shifts the focus from the mere quantity of fertiliser used to the quality of its application. Reducing waste does not necessarily mean applying less fertiliser, but rather avoiding its use where it brings no real benefit and applying the correct dose to the areas that need it.

Edge management also forms part of this approach. Near roads, ditches, watercourses or plot boundaries, controlling the direction and width of distribution helps to limit the spread of fertiliser beyond the area to be treated. In addition to the economic aspect, the environmental aspect therefore also comes into play.

For DCM, application precision is not tied to a single technology, but to the way in which different elements work together. Machine mechanics, flow control, weighing, GPS, ISOBUS, Section Control and variable application rates address different needs, but share the same objective: to give the operator greater control over the fertiliser whilst working.

At a time when the cost of inputs continues to affect the profitability of farms, this control is becoming increasingly important. The cost-effectiveness of a fertiliser spreader depends not only on its capacity or maximum working width, but also on how well it manages the product entrusted to it.

Fertiliser remains a vital resource for crop productivity and, for this very reason, must be used with care. Today, precision application means striking the best possible balance between agronomic requirements, costs and sustainability. This challenge cannot be met simply by using less product, but by learning to apply it more effectively.