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Incitec Pivot is advising farmers that alternative nitrogen fertilisers can be used as effective replacements for the 'straight' ammonium nitrate (AN) products the company has withdrawn from the market.
"Our decision to withdraw ammonium nitrate products from the market was underpinned by the knowledge that that they can be substituted by other readily available fertilisers," said Incitec Pivot's General Manager Commercial, John Lloyd.
"While straight AN fertiliser offers growers a convenient form of nitrogen in some market sectors and some climatic conditions, in every instance it can be substituted with an alternative nitrogen fertiliser."
Many factors influence farmers' choice of product - for example, nitrogen analysis, product availability, product storage and handling characteristics and the conditions under which it will be applied - the price per kilogram of nitrogen is the main factor.
"We will be offering information on the alternative products, based on expert agronomic advice, to affected customers," Mr Lloyd said.
"Our sales team, dealers and agents have this information and it will also be available on our website."
The substitute products include Urea, Calcium Ammonium Nitrate (CAN), Ammonium Sulphate Nitrate (ASN), Urea Ammonium Nitrate (UAN), and Liquifert N (see table below).
Summary of alternative products
1. Urea - 46% nitrogen (N) as urea. This is the cheapest and most common form of nitrogen fertiliser.
2. Calcium Ammonium Nitrate - 27% N (13% as nitrate, 13.5% as ammonium) and 8% calcium.
3. Ammonium Sulphate Nitrate - 26% N (7% as nitrate, 19% as ammonium) and 14% sulphur.
4. Urea Ammonium Nitrate - a liquid containing 32% N (16% as urea, 8% as nitrate and 8% as ammonium).
5. Liquifert N - 46% N as urea. Soluble solid designed for use in irrigation systems.
It should be noted that CAN, UAN, urea and blended AN fertiliser are not classified as Dangerous Goods and are ideal substitutes for AN fertiliser.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Neville Heydon
Corporate Affairs Manager
Incitec Pivot Limited
Tel 03 8695 4581, 0408 123 160
Email neville.heydon@incitecpivot.com.au
