Farmers facing a feed pinch this spring could consider applying nitrogen to help boost pasture growth.
Applied at 30-60kg/ha, nitrogen (N) can generate around 10kg DM/kg N, provided soil temperatures are above 6-7 degrees and rising and there is adequate moisture in the soil.
According to Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s Knowledge Hub, farmers should consider targeting their best paddocks which have leaf cover of at least 1200kg DM/ha. N is best used as a multiplier of drymatter production, not as a trigger for growth.
Ideally, N should be applied just before rain. If there is no significant rainfall in the long-term forecast, it is recommended that farmers consider products such as Sustain or N Protect to prevent losses through volatilisation.
N can also be applied strategically to steep, sunny slopes if legumes are scarce.
Find out more
For information on nitrogen feriliser use, see the following resource:
- Hill Country Futures: Nitrogen fertiliser use (PDF, 253KB)