One strategy to combat a nitrogen deficiency is topdressing with liquid fertilisers soon after sowing, early in the season to maximise yields. 

Liquid fertilisers have been found to be up to 10 times more effective than common granular fertilisers, greatly improving yields.  

However, they are corrosive and need to be handled with the right equipment.

One Australian company, Australian Pump Industries, has developed a range of pumps for safe, fast and efficient pumping of liquid fertilisers like Flexi N and Cal X.

Aussie Pumps’ Brad Farrugia said the company set out to come with up a product that was resistant to corrosion, had the right elastomers to prevent leaks and that wouldn’t react with the chemical being pumped.

“Our poly pumps are endorsed by Incitec Pivot for use with their Easy N fertiliser,” he said.

The pump range, developed for agriculture chemical applications, offer two inch and three inch self-priming centrifugal engine drive pumps that are cost effective, efficient and reliable.

Made from a polycarbon material developed in the USA for NASA, 30 per cent glass filled polyester, the pump is virtually corrosion free.

The two-inch pump will handle up to 720 litres a minute, while the three-inch version will handle up to 1100 litres a minute of flow.  

“Getting nitrogen into the soil now is crucial for maximising yields,” Farrugia said.  

“Farmers looking to maximise spraying times are choosing the high flow three-inch version for better efficiency.

“We even make a hydraulic drive version that can be plugged into the sprayer’s hydraulic system for fast fill ‘on the go.”

Genuine Honda powered poly pumps are now offered by Aussie with a four-year engine warranty.

“This extra warranty gives added piece of mind to users, and is absolutely free,” Farrugia said.  

"Farmers are buying these pumps faster than we can build them. And that's great, because the more we build, the cheaper they become.”