Here you’ll find guidance on creating an annual fertiliser plan, choosing and applying the right products, improving nitrogen efficiency, and understanding how smarter fertiliser management supports productivity and sustainability.
Summary:
Make every kilogram of nitrogen count. Strategic fertiliser use grows more homegrown feed, improves pasture resilience, and reduces environmental losses.
Create a fertiliser plan
Plan your nitrogen use for the season so inputs match your farm’s feed and nutrient needs.
- Use feed and nutrient budgeting tools to work out how much fertiliser you need.
What you can do
- Talk to your fertiliser representative for support and advice.
- Use fertiliser company resources to plan your applications.
Manage application
Apply nitrogen at the right time and rate for active growth to maximise efficiency and minimise losses.
- Think about partner nutrients like sulphur and how different fertilisers affect your system.
- Apply nitrogen regularly for the first 12–18 months of new pasture to build strong growth.
- Apply when plants are actively growing – not too cold, dry, or wet.
- Use light rates (around 25–30kg N/ha).
- Apply where pasture or crops can use it efficiently, considering soil temperature and rainfall.
- Coated urea reduces nitrous oxide losses and makes more nitrogen available for plants, so you can use less fertiliser.
What you can do
- Call your local TSR for advice tailored to your farm.
- Use our booking form if you're not sure who your TSR is.
Drive utilisation
Make sure extra growth is eaten or harvested at peak quality to get the best return on fertiliser.
- Make sure nitrogen-boosted growth is eaten or harvested at peak quality.
- Use a feed budget and feed wedge to spot feed gaps and apply nitrogen tactically.
What you can do
- Review your current feeding methods and practices.
- Calculate your pasture potential to identify any feed gaps.
- Use this to spot opportunities for improvement.
What's the opportunity for your farm?
Productivity, Profitability and Sustainability.
Productivity
- Better nitrogen efficiency means more homegrown feed and higher production without extra fertiliser.
Profitability
- More pasture for the same cost – or the same pasture for less cost.
- That’s efficient spending.
Sustainability
- Unused nitrogen can end up in waterways or the atmosphere.
- By making sure it’s eaten through homegrown feed, you keep it working for your farm and leaving as milk.
Need help right now with nitrogen? Talk to us
Customer Service Team
Our Farmer Support Team is available 24/7 for urgent help and immediate guidance.
Local support
The My Co‑op app has contact details for your local Farm Source team for more complex issues.
Chat in person
Your Farm Source store is there for local face‑to‑face support with our team. They’re always happy to help.