Grass growth remains high around the country and where nitrogen is applied in the coming weeks, there will be a positive response in terms of increased grass covers.
As the grazing period enters the second half of the season, it is important to keep on top of fertiliser applications to build grass covers. This will keep animals grazing sward covers at optimum heights.
Outlined are five tips for fertiliser applications over the summer period.
Where cattle have failed to clean swards out fully, paddocks will need topped before applying fertiliser.
Leaving rejected, stemmy grass in the sward will reduce regrowth and grass quality in the next rotation.
Topping the sward now will clean off grass properly, ensuring there is a fresh base for fertiliser to be applied, kick-starting regrowth.
If swards are topped now, there is no need to do any further topping this summer as cattle should be able to keep on top of covers as there is less risk of grass heading out.
Lime is the cheapest fertiliser you can apply to grassland and ideally, it should be applied in early spring or autumn.
But on farms with heavier soils, this is not always an option as ground may not carry machinery during these periods.
Ground conditions have improved in recent weeks, presenting a good opportunity to apply lime to grassland.
Where soils have a low pH, approximately 25-50% of the nitrogen applied will be locked up and unavailable for grass growth.
Applying 1-2t/acre will increase soil pH over the summer, as well as having a positive effect on late-season growth.
Allow a period of 10-14 days before grazing swards that receive lime. Allow three weeks between liming and fertiliser being applied.
3 Don’t over value slurry nitrogen
Slurry is a valuable source of fertiliser. However, while there is little change to the availability of the P and K content in slurry applications during summer and autumn, the same cannot be said for nitrogen.
Nitrogen availability in slurry is at its highest level in early spring. As the grazing season progresses, there is less nitrogen available when spreading slurry.
Therefore, where slurry is being applied to grazing swards, or silage ground for second cut, do not assume that slurry will provide the same amount of nitrogen as it did for a first-cut application in April.
Many farmers fall into this trap and as less bagged fertiliser tends to be applied for second cut, silage swards are under fertilised and yields are below their potential.
Therefore, assume the nitrogen content in slurry applied in early July is half that of an early April application and make up the deficit with bagged fertiliser.
Also, if slurry is applied to grazing ground, make sure cows are covered for grass tetany.
4 Use P and K to boost grass growth
Where swards had heavy covers of grass in June, or paddocks were baled for silage, there will have been a big uptake of P and K that needs to be replaced.
Therefore, use a compound NPK fertiliser in July to kickstart grass growth and help to replace P and K levels in soils.
Sulphur is often the forgotten element in fertiliser, yet it has a big bearing on grass yields. Apply a fertiliser with added sulphur over the summer to increase grass growth towards it potential.
Read more
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Suckler farmers to get €35m of €100m beef fund
Grass growth remains high around the country and where nitrogen is applied in the coming weeks, there will be a positive response in terms of increased grass covers.
As the grazing period enters the second half of the season, it is important to keep on top of fertiliser applications to build grass covers. This will keep animals grazing sward covers at optimum heights.
Outlined are five tips for fertiliser applications over the summer period.
Where cattle have failed to clean swards out fully, paddocks will need topped before applying fertiliser.
Leaving rejected, stemmy grass in the sward will reduce regrowth and grass quality in the next rotation.
Topping the sward now will clean off grass properly, ensuring there is a fresh base for fertiliser to be applied, kick-starting regrowth.
If swards are topped now, there is no need to do any further topping this summer as cattle should be able to keep on top of covers as there is less risk of grass heading out.
Lime is the cheapest fertiliser you can apply to grassland and ideally, it should be applied in early spring or autumn.
But on farms with heavier soils, this is not always an option as ground may not carry machinery during these periods.
Ground conditions have improved in recent weeks, presenting a good opportunity to apply lime to grassland.
Where soils have a low pH, approximately 25-50% of the nitrogen applied will be locked up and unavailable for grass growth.
Applying 1-2t/acre will increase soil pH over the summer, as well as having a positive effect on late-season growth.
Allow a period of 10-14 days before grazing swards that receive lime. Allow three weeks between liming and fertiliser being applied.
3 Don’t over value slurry nitrogen
Slurry is a valuable source of fertiliser. However, while there is little change to the availability of the P and K content in slurry applications during summer and autumn, the same cannot be said for nitrogen.
Nitrogen availability in slurry is at its highest level in early spring. As the grazing season progresses, there is less nitrogen available when spreading slurry.
Therefore, where slurry is being applied to grazing swards, or silage ground for second cut, do not assume that slurry will provide the same amount of nitrogen as it did for a first-cut application in April.
Many farmers fall into this trap and as less bagged fertiliser tends to be applied for second cut, silage swards are under fertilised and yields are below their potential.
Therefore, assume the nitrogen content in slurry applied in early July is half that of an early April application and make up the deficit with bagged fertiliser.
Also, if slurry is applied to grazing ground, make sure cows are covered for grass tetany.
4 Use P and K to boost grass growth
Where swards had heavy covers of grass in June, or paddocks were baled for silage, there will have been a big uptake of P and K that needs to be replaced.
Therefore, use a compound NPK fertiliser in July to kickstart grass growth and help to replace P and K levels in soils.
Sulphur is often the forgotten element in fertiliser, yet it has a big bearing on grass yields. Apply a fertiliser with added sulphur over the summer to increase grass growth towards it potential.
Read more
Ringside Comment: quality cattle solid but forward stores easier
Suckler farmers to get €35m of €100m beef fund
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