09 August 2006
Apply nitrogen now for maximum pasture growth
Applying nitrogen now on steep sunny slopes will ensure an excellent pasture growth response says Ballance
Agri-Nutrients Agro-Scientist Jeff Morton.
“By applying nitrogen in spring these types of slopes can produce up to 30 kilogram’s of dry matter per kilogramme of
nitrogen applied. Because the slopes are steep there is less clover coverage and less nitrogen in the soil, and if they
are in good sunlight, the pasture warms up fast, speeding up the response to the application of nitrogen.”
Feed cover throughout the country is low this year due to a wet and cold winter leaving farmers short of feed for ewes
and lambs.
Jeff says that if farmers apply nitrogen now they should see a good response within four weeks in the north, in time for
late lambing. In the south, farmers should start to see a response within six weeks says Jeff.
For further information or advice on application of nitrogen, please contact your local Ballance Agri-Nutrients Sales
Representative.
ENDS