Farmer in a field reviewing the crops Farmer in a field reviewing the crops

Spreading nitrogen and sulphur at the same time means more grass

Applying fertilisers containing nitrogen and sulphur means the grass uses nitrogen more effectively, you get more kgs of dry matter per kg of nitrogen that you apply

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Impact of dry weather on soil N reserves

Dry conditions prevail over large parts of the country and many livestock farmers are in desperate need of rain to relieve grass shortages. The recovery time of swards following rain will depend on the severity of drought - the longer the drought, the longer the recovery.

Farmers will be looking to fertilise swards to maximise growth when the rain arrives, to feed grazing livestock and build silage reserves which are worryingly low on many farms. Don’t be tempted to spread fertiliser before forecasted rain. Heavy rain combined with dry and hard field surfaces is ideal for fertiliser run-off. Best to leave applications until after the initial rain.

If nitrogen (N) fertiliser has been applied over the last couple of weeks when grass growth has been well below average, then a portion of this N will still be present for the grass to utilise when a decent amount of rain arrives. How much, depends on when it was applied and the level of grass growth in the meantime. Rapid mineralisation of organic matter by soil microbes will also add to the plant available N pool following a rewetting of the soil.

When the rain arrives, reduce the target N rate for fertilising silage crops where a very light crop of grass has been harvested, by 30% to take account of N carryover from the previous fertilisation. If silage crops were fertilised within the last three weeks, then there is no requirement to reapply N. Typical fertiliser application rates of 230 – 320 kg/ha of YaraMila Sulphur Cut will be required for silage swards once soil moisture levels rise.

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The latest grassland fertiliser and nutrition advice from the Yara agronomists.

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Grassland fertiliser selector

If you are not sure which grassland fertiliser to choose try using this selector to help you in the right direction.

Are you looking for a fertiliser for Grazing or Silage ?
Just nitrogen plus sulphur (NS) or nitrogen, phosphate, potassium and sulphur (NPKS)?
With or without Selenium for animal health?
With or without Phosphorus?
For application in Spring or Summer?

Based on the information you have given the best choice of fertiliser would be YaraBela Axan.

YaraBela AXAN (27% N + 3.6% S) is a uniform compound granular nitrate based nitrogen and sulphur fertiliser with an N:S ratio of 7.5:1 suitable for use on grassland where nitrogen and sulphur are required but no phosphate or potassium, and where no selenium is required.

YaraBela Axan

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Based on the information you have given the best choice of fertiliser would be YaraBela Nutri-Booster.

YaraBela NUTRI BOOSTER (25% N + 2% S, Na and Se) contains nitrogen and sulphur coupled with selenium.suitable for use on grassland where nitrogen and sulphur are required but no phosphate or potassium, together with selenium for increased animal health.

YaraBela Nutri-Booster

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Based on the information you have given the best choice of fertiliser would be YaraMila Super Booster

YaraMila SUPER BOOSTER (25-2.2-4.2 + 2% S and Se) is a compound prilled NPKS fertiliser containing sodium selenate for use on grassland to supplement selenium levels where nitrogen, phosphate, potassium and sulphur are all required together with selenium to improve livestock health.

YaraMila Super Booster

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Based on the information you have given the best choice of fertiliser would be YaraMila Sulphur Cut

YaraMila SULPHUR CUT (22-1.7-11.6 + 3%S) is a compound NPKS grassland fertiliser ideal for replacing the large amount of potash removed after silage whilst kick starting the regeneration of the grass plants with nitrogen together with sulphur and phosphate, when selenium is not needed.

YaraMila SULPHUR CUT

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Based on the information you have given the best choice of fertiliser would be YaraMila Extragrass

YaraMila EXTRAGRASS (27-2.2-4.2 + 2.4% S) is a compound granular NPKS fertiliser ideally suited to little and often application for Spring/Summer application to grassland for index maintenance and high recovery growth rates. With Nitrogen, Phosphate, Potash and Sulphur in every granule this product give the maximum return in investment by supplying the crop with all the nutrients it requires.

YaraMila Extragrass

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Based on the information you have given the best choice of fertiliser would be YaraMila New 18's + S.

YaraMila NEW 18’s + S (18-6-11 + 3%S) is a compound NPKS fertiliser recommended for early Spring grazing application or paddocks with lower P&K indexes. By frontloading grazing ground with high P & K levels this will improve soil fertility and ensure that you maximise grass growth over the entire season. 

YaraMila New 18's + S

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Based on the information you have given the best choice of fertiliser would be YaraMila Zero P Sward.

YaraMila ZERO P SWARD (26-0-5 + 4% S) is an NK plus S fertiliser used where no phosphate is required and where some potash is required in the grazing system.

YaraMila Zero P Sward

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Based on the information you have given the best choice of fertiliser would be YaraMila Zero P Cut.

YaraMila ZERO P CUT (24-0-10 + 2% S) is a compound fertiliser supplying nitrogen potash and sulphur, often used after first cut silage where no phosphate is required.

YaraMila Zero P Cut

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