Cheaper fertiliser pellets cost less per tonne. But they can cost more per hectare once you factor in poor spreading accuracy, blocked equipment and uneven crop nutrition.
At SoilWorx, quality control starts before production begins. We select raw materials against three quality criteria, test during processing, and screen the finished pellet before it leaves the facility. Every step targets one outcome: a pellet that spreads evenly, breaks down predictably, and delivers nutrients where the crop needs them.
Five things to check before you buy pelleted fertiliser
1. Pellet Hardness
Soft pellets break apart on the spinning disc. The result: dust instead of pellets, and uneven coverage across the bout. SoilWorx pellets score 9 out of 10 on standard hardness tests. A competitor product we tested alongside scored 3. That difference shows up directly in spreading accuracy.
2. Pellet Shape and Size
Consistent 4–5mm pellets spread like a prilled fertiliser through standard disc or boom equipment. Oversized or irregular pellets risk bridging in the hopper or blocking the metering mechanism. SoilWorx pellets are graded to a 4–5mm diameter, with 90% falling within that range.
3. Composition
A fibrous, loosely bound pellet crumbles under the force of a spinning disc. SoilWorx uses tested compression ratios to produce a dense, uniform pellet that holds together from bag to soil.
4. Dust and Fines
Fines are wasted product. You paid for pellets, not powder. SoilWorx screens every batch before bagging to remove dust and broken material. The result is a cleaner product in the bag and less waste at the headland.
5. Mould and Pathogen Testing
Organic-based fertilisers can develop mould if processing temperatures or moisture levels are wrong. SoilWorxʼs production process heats the batches to 115°C which eliminates this risk. Every batch is tested for pathogens before dispatch, giving growers and agronomists confidence the product is safe for vegetable land.