Nitrogen – your growth multiplier this spring
Nitrogen levels can be low coming out of winter, due to leaching, low clover growth, and low mineralisation. Applying nitrogen fertiliser in spring can result in significant pasture growth responses and help fill feed deficits.
Nitrogen is a key nutrient for plant growth. It is essential for producing amino acids and proteins – the building blocks of plant cells.
Healthy plants with adequate nitrogen produce more biomass, leading to higher yields. Animals require these nitrogen-rich plants to get the proteins they need for survival.
Get the most out of your nitrogen
Generally, soil is particularly nitrogen-deficient in spring, so applying now can create significant growth.
It works best when applied to actively growing pastures, when not limited by moisture, temperature or other factors.
Grazing management
It takes time for plants to take up N and convert it to protein for a growth response. Therefore, to get the best response, ideally don’t graze your N boosted pastures for at least a few weeks after application - let the nitrogen do its thing before the stock gets back on it.
Yield increase
25-30 kg N/ha is a commonly applied rate of nitrogen, giving you a typical additional yield of around 400 kg DM/ha. This rate should always be adjusted for feed requirements and expected response, but 25 to 50 kg N/ha is often the most efficient and practical.
Pasture yield response in relation to the rate of fertiliser applied
*Results may vary based on specific soil and environmental conditions (e.g., soil organic matter, temperature, moisture and pH.
Leaf grows leaf
Apply N fertiliser when there’s enough pasture cover to get a solid response - you need leaf to grow leaf! Avoid applying it to paddocks that have been hard grazed, as limited leaf area means the pasture won’t respond as well.
On average, 18% of N applied is lost during spring/summer/autumn through volatilisation. N-Protect is a coated urea product that reduces average ammonia-N losses by 50%*, compared to uncoated urea.
N-Protect saves you an average of 9% of the N you apply from being lost – meaning more N in your soil, where you need it and a lower environmental impact.
Urea is a manufactured organic compound consisting of uniform white granules. It has the highest quick-release nitrogen (N) content of any solid fertiliser available in New Zealand.
By following these guidelines, you can maximise the efficiency
and effectiveness of your nitrogen fertiliser applications.
Contact your local Agri-manager for more details or order now