Every farmer knows that compost provides nutrients to crops in an easily assimilated format. And most importantly, that the contribution of organic matter improves the soil structure. This means that “plants will have a greater ability to absorb nutrients and production will improve both in terms of quantity and quality”.

Such is highlighted by David, head of the ABOTRANS plant, which produces compost and sells it in sacks, big bags and in bulk, in pellet or powder form. The company is located in Escarabajosa de Cabezas (Segovia) and belongs to the BURÉS family group, several generations of which have been working in the growing media, soil, fertilisers and compost sector.

Added value

The company develops more than 2,000 tonnes of product every year, which is distributed over high yielding crops throughout Spain. It is used in Castile and León to improve the soils of horticultural regions such as El Carracillo, and has been used for quite some time in vineyards. In any case, the head of ABOTRANS recommends using it in rainfed productions every three years for example “to improve the soil profile”, which has become deteriorated decades after animal-based compost is no longer used.

“Biorcamp Premium fertiliser is certified for organic agriculture”

Biorcamp Premium, made from sheep manure, is the company’s leading product. This certified manure for organic farming is NPK 2-3-4 which, owing to its origin, has a high organic matter content “that improves soil properties and favours a higher crop yield.”

Its high concentration of phosphorus and potassium facilitates easy natural crop growth. As recalled from ABOTRANS, these elements are involved in numerous cellular plant processes as well as participating in the decomposition of organic soil matter.

It can be applied as dressing or as deep placement fertiliser, and also contributes to the soil in a localised manner for woody crops, thanks to its pellet format.

Forton is ABOTRANS’s main new product, produced from plant waste and calf manure. Currently undergoing certification as an organic product, Forton is rich in phosphorus and potassium. All its nitrogen is found in organic form, which facilitates its absorption by the crop.

Improvement of soil properties

The advantage of Biorcamp Premium and Forton is their high level of organic matter, with a significant percentage of humic acids, which facilitates the exchange of ions in the exchange complex between soil and plant. They also improve the physical properties of the soil itself. They particularly promote porosity, aeration and water circulation in clayey soils, while contributing structure for sandy soils.

Can be applied as dressing or as deep placement fertiliser,
and in a localised manner, thanks to its pellet format

Contains no pathogens or weed seeds

The advantage of fertilisers produced by ABOTRANS compared to animal “waste”-based ones is how the product is delivered in a fully homogeneous form, free from any another type of waste and containing no pathogens or weed seeds. We don’t need to ring our clients to try it out the following year, as they are the ones calling us”, states David.

He adds: “we would like to invite any professional to visit the plant and find out how it is produced in order to be convinced of the virtues of this product”.

A homogeneous product

One of these clients is Juan Luis Herranz, from Viveros Secueductos, a nursery which sells asparagus, strawberry, raspberry and other irrigated crops throughout Spain, Andalusia in particular.

According to Herranz, “A nursery needs to be completely healthy, the reason why we are so strict with rotations and disinfect the soil, to attain a deep placement fertiliser with ABOTRANS fertiliser”. He believes that the advantage lies in “using a completely homogeneous product that contains no viruses, pathogenic bacteria or weed seeds”