Use industry tools for feed and nutrient budgeting to help plan fertiliser inputs required.
TAKING ACTION
What you can do
Choose the right fertiliser for your farm
Consider partner nutrients, like sulphur, and the impact of different fertilisers on a system.
Have a strategy for application – little and often
You will need to apply nitrogen regularly for the first 12-18 months of a new pasture’s life to ensure a resilient sward.
Nitrogen should be applied when plants are actively growing and when conditions are not too cold, or too dry or wet.
Rates of nitrogen used should be relatively light (around 25-30kg N/ha)
Apply nitrogen where crop or pasture can use it efficiently, considering environmental factors like soil temperature and rainfall.
Consider coated urea
Using coated urea in your system can reduce nitrous oxide losses, but also makes more nitrogen available for plants (so less fertiliser can be applied).
What you can do
Call your local TSR for advice to suit your farm’s conditions. If you aren't sure who your TSR is, you can use our booking form.
The right timing
Make sure nitrogen-boosted growth is eaten or harvested when it’s at peak quality. Use a feed budget and feed wedge to identify feed deficits for tactical use of nitrogen.
What you can do
A good place to start is by reviewing your feed budget to determine if it’s working as hard as possible to support your decision-making.
TOOLS AND INFORMATION
From other farmers and industry experts
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- Farmers
- On farm experts
- Industry tools
BENEFITS
What's the opportunity for your farm?
Productivity
Growing more homegrown feed by improving nitrogen efficiency means you'll be able to increase your homegrown feed supply and production without additional fertiliser.
Profitability
More pasture with the same nitrogen costs, or the same pasture with less nitrogen costs - that's a more efficient spend on nitrogen fertiliser.
Sustainability
Nitrogen that is applied but not used by crops and pasture (and eaten) can end up being lost into the environment – either into waterways or to the atmosphere. By ensuring nitrogen is eaten through homegrown feed, you can help it to leave the farm as milk product.
Get in touch
Have a question? We’re here to help
Get in touch with your local TSR or fertiliser company to find out more about nitrogen conversion efficiency.
Or call our Farmer Support Team on 0800 65 65 68