This winter has been wet and cool in many areas reducing winter feed growth. So, livestock producers may consider applying nitrogen to increase pasture growth to avoid a feed gap or boost silage or hay yields.
Meat and Livestock Australia estimates copper deficiency could be costing southern Australian sheep producers more than $15 million a year. It can cause slow animal growth rates, reduced wool quality, sway back or lack of muscle co-ordination in lambs, scouring, lameness and infertility.
This fact sheet contains guidelines to help farmers and agronomists make informed decisions about their pasture. It goes without saying that all floods are different. They vary by water depth, water speed and the duration of inundation. These factors influence pasture survival and recovery time, as well as the fate of soil nutrients.
There are many good reasons to be out tissue testing pastures at this time of year, but perhaps the best reason is to ensure there is enough molybdenum and boron available. Legumes particularly rely on these micronutrients for effective root nodulation, nitrogen fixation and seed set.
Pasture productivity decline is widespread in Australia’s northern pastures. While it is often attributed to poor seasonal conditions, and drought certainly has been a factor, other issues including nutrient deficiencies are generally involved.
Spring is the ideal time for tactical nitrogen applications to maximise pasture production. Pasture dry matter responses to nitrogen can surge throughout spring. If your pasture is green and actively growing, nitrogen fertilisers can further accelerate that growth.
Spring is a time of high potassium (K) uptake and removal in pastures, especially where large quantities of hay and silage are being cut. Graziers and dairy farmers can often benefit from adding potassium to their fertiliser programs in spring.
Regular soil testing should be a key management practice in any farming system. The science behind the critical nutrient values is well founded and there’s no disputing the lost production due to nutrient deficiencies or the unnecessary cost involved with over applying fertilisers.
Dual purpose crops will be important this year as a source of feed for stock and grain at harvest, but to get the best out of these crops they will need a good start with nutrition, particularly nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P).
Technical Agronomist Lee Menhenett discusses the importance of Nitrogen responses in your pasture program.
Technical Agronomist Lee Menhenett discusses the importance of dry matter production in your pasture program.
Technical Agronomist Lee Menhenett introduces the Boosta range.
Technical Agronomist Lee Menhenett discussed the role Easy N can play in your pasture program this season.
Trace elements like molybdenum play a critical role in helping maintain a productive, sustainable pasture system.
Research by Agriculture Victoria has shown that there are no pasture yield differences whether phosphorus fertiliser is applied in summer or autumn.
Research by Agriculture Victoria has shown that there are no pasture yield differences whether phosphorus fertiliser is applied in summer or autumn.
I’m NOT here to tell you that summer is a better time to apply SuPerfect® than autumn – but it’s just as good.
Farmers and graziers are being encouraged to soil test this spring to identify opportunities to improve farm productivity and profitability next year.