What is Fibrophos?

Fibrophos^® is a concentrated fertiliser of totally organic origin consisting mainly of phosphate, potash, with sulphur, magnesium, calcium, sodium and significant quantities of essential trace elements required by crops and grass.

Fibrophos^® is a unique modern fertiliser, which is a compound fertiliser and not a blend.

Fibrophos^® is derived from the incineration of deep litter poultry manure in excess of 800ºC which is used as a fuel for state of the art electricity power stations. The first one was built at Eye in Suffolk, the second at Thetford in Norfolk and a third now operates in Fife.

The resultant ash from the furnace is pure fertiliser containing all the plant nutrients (except nitrogen) which were present in the poultry feed. After size grading the ash is marketed as Fibrophos^® Fertilisers. Because the ash is derived from the poultry feed the nutrients are in the balance taken up from the soil by the feed constituents including wheat, barley and grass pellets.

It is a renewable nutrient source and does not use up scarce resources such as mineral phosphates. As such when applied to the soil, Fibrophos^® returns the nutrients in the balance removed by the crops.

Units per acre removed by crops and replacement by Fibrophos^® #
	Calcium CaO	Magnesium MgO	Sulphur SO₃	Boron B	Copper Cu	Iron Fe	Manganese Mn	Zinc Zn
Barley 3.5 t /ac grain plus 2 t /ac straw	22	20	32	0.03	0.04	0.44	0.41	0.24
Wheat 3.5 t /ac grain plus 2.5 t /ac straw	26	22	34	0.04	0.04	0.48	0.47	0.25
Potatoes 20 t/acre	13	13	30	0.03	0.08	0.16	0.16	0.16
Rape 1.5 t/acre	15	11	68*	0.21	0.04	0.21	0.42	0.21
Grass Silage 10t @20% DM	34	10	15	0.04	0.04	0.60	0.40	0.20
Fibrophos^® applied at 4 cwt/ac	100	20	28	0.06	0.20	1.60	1.00	0.80
* 48 units /acre sulphur required at end of flowering # Adapted from:- a)Simpson, 1986 b)John Archer "Crop Nutrition and Fertiliser Use"

Over the past 8 years, formal trial work has been systematically carried out to establish that the product performs in yield and quality terms as well as Triple-Superphosphate (TSP) and Muriate of Potash (MOP) - both of which are used as standards. Using a variety of well respected research bodies, it was confirmed that the phosphate and potash in Fibrophos^® are as effective as TSP and MOP. In some cases the potash in Fibrophos^® was shown to demonstrate less antagonism to magnesium than that of muriate of potash. The work further demonstrates the added bonus of Fibrophos^® with increased performance from the other major and minor nutrients also present.

Fibrophos^® is priced competitively with PK fertilisers across the UK. The many added benefits - secondary and trace elements are therefore offered as a considerable bonus.

Although derived from totally organic origin, Fibrophos®^® has not been given organic registration by UKROFS (Soil Association and Organic Farmers & Growers). This is because the litter is derived from poultry reared in mainly intensive broiler systems. Therefore, Fibrophos^® can not be used in organic systems.

Fibrophos® is currently only available as a coarse powder and is best spread using contractor's moving belt machines. There is a comprehensive network of distributors and merchants throughout the UK who have access to suitable machines.

It is the responsibility of the user to read and understand the Material Safety Data Sheet, to ensure that the product is fit for purpose, and to apply the product in accordance with the DEFRA Code of Good Agricultural Practice.

Farmed animals must not be allowed access to the land for at least 21 days following application to land.