Making the most of spring
Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium applied leading into spring
can improve the quantity and quality of silage and hay.
The first consideration in selecting a fertiliser to bring spring
forward or boost hay and silage growth should be the nutrient
requirements of the paddock, based on paddock history or
previous soil test results.
Spring pasture growth rates naturally increase in response to
more favourable growing conditions. Nitrogen applications can
further accelerate fodder growth, but other nutrients may be
required to make the most of nitrogen fertiliser applications.
Potassium is a key nutrient for hay and silage production, as large
amounts can be removed at cutting.
Paddocks with a long history of hay and silage production and
soils where potassium levels are known to be below critical
values should respond best to potassium fertilisers. Where
potassium levels are close to critical values, maintenance
applications can be made.
Be aware that applying excess potassium is not only an
unnecessary expense, it could lead to animal health problems
such as hypomagnesia (grass tetany), which is due to the
imbalance between the luxury plant consumption of potassium at
the expense of magnesium.
Soil testing is the best way to determine whether potassium
fertiliser is needed.
Where possible, avoid grazing pastures where spring pasture
fertilisers have been applied for at least three weeks.
Avoid grazing fodder crops for six to eight weeks.
Fodder harvest quality can be adversely affected if left too long
between closing the paddock to grazing and harvesting the
fodder.
Good grazing management and fodder harvesting management is
essential to maximise the benefits of applying nitrogen.
Aim to graze ryegrass at the three leaf stage, except in spring
when ryegrass can be grazed as early as the two to two and half
leaf stage. Aim to graze phalaris and fescue grasses at the four to
five leaf stage.
Fertilisers for spring
Fertiliser
Analysis
Comments
GrassBoosta™
29.9% nitrogen,
15% sulphur
Excellent for applying to pastures coming out of winter, because of the
combination of nitrogen and sulphate sulphur.
PastureBoosta®
23.8% nitrogen,
3.7% phosphorus,
13% potassium,
4.1% sulphur
A balanced NPKS fertiliser that is ideal for pastures with a higher percentage
of grass than clover.
HayBoosta®
11.7% nitrogen,
A specially blended fertiliser for hay paddocks and pastures with a higher
4.7% phosphorus, 23.9% legume content. It is best applied when closing up paddocks to bulk up the
potassium, 4.6% sulphur pasture quickly and grow better quality hay.
FodderBoosta®
11.5% nitrogen,
Great for fodder crops and in situations where soil phosphorus and potassium
7.6% phosphorus, 19.5%
levels need a boost.
potassium, 6.1% sulphur
SuPerfect
8.8% phosphorus,
11% sulphate sulphur,
19% calcium
SuPerfect contains a balance of readily available nutrients to meet the needs
of legume based pastures. Can be blended with Muriate of Potash.
Muriate of Potash
50% potassium
A high analysis potassium fertiliser that can be blended with other fertilisers
or used alone.
SuPerfect Potash blends
various
Select a ratio of 1:1 to 5:1 SuPerfect to Muriate of Potash depending on soil
test values and enterprise needs.
9