Fertilizer handling and safety

How to safely store and use fertilizer

Yara produces high quality fertilizer products from a variety of raw materials by different production technologies. The fertilizer handling and safety pages bring together various information about fertilizer to highlight the issues that can affect the quality and safe use of fertilizers and to give best practice advice to people working with fertilizers in the supply chain and as end users.

Blended fertilizer quality

Over the years, Yara has commissioned a number of surveys to investigate the quality of blended fertilizer products available to Malaysian farmers. Unfortunately, the latest results show a significant cause for concern with the quality of blended fertilizers.

Fertilizer labelling

The label on the fertilizer bag contains important statutory information for transport, storage and handling of the fertilizer. The chemical composition of the product is stated on the bag in accordance with national regulation.

Fertilizer security and safety

New chemical knowledge and new chemical legislations can cause phosphate fertilizers containing ammonium nitrate and other ingredients to be classified. These types of product might be classified as hazardous to humans and also to the environment.

Fertilizer spreading advice

To achieve the best results when using fertilizers, the nutrients have to be spread accurately and evenly and at the right rate across the whole spreader width. A high quality fertilizer is important, but so is how you spread it!

Fertilizer stewardship

Yara operates a Fertilizer Stewardship programme to ensure that proper care is taken along the whole fertilizer value chain from product development, purchase of raw materials and manufacturing right up to the end delivery and use on the farm.

Fertilizer storage

Correct storage of fertilizer is important to ensure safety. Where possible, fertilizers should be stored in a closed, secure storage place to protect the product from the weather and reduce the risk of theft.

Fertilizer technology

Yara fertilizers incorporate technologies to preserve the quality of the products. These include coating systems and anti-caking agents. It's also important to prevent dust, thermocycling and condensation.

Fertilizer handling and transport

It is important to handle and transport fertilizer safely whilst minimising deterioration in quality. Correct handling and transportation of fertilizer should be based on climatic conditions, the type of fertilizer and how it is shipped (bulk or bags).

Physical properties of fertilizers

The physical properties of a fertilizer are determined by its chemical composition and how it is produced. An understanding of product properties is useful for handling, storage and spreading of fertilizer.

Safe use of fertilizer

Yara have produced a brochure on the safe use of fertilizers on farm to highlight and provide advice on all all of the health and safety issues that arise when using fertilizer on the farm.