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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If you’re planning to fertilise 3rd cuts, then we should be aiming to apply between 70 – 80 kg/ha of N. If this is not the final cut, then stay at the lower end of this range, and for those taking only 3 cuts - then aim for the higher end of the range, as the growing period is generally longer. Spread slurry as soon as is practical after the 2nd cut harvest, and then a week later follow up with the fertiliser.
From both a yield and silage quality perspective, a sulphur (S) containing fertiliser should be used. At optimum N rates, we see a 10% increase in dry matter yields on average where S is applied, rising to 20% on very responsive lighter soil types. During dry weather, sulphur availability to the grass plant becomes even more important.
Pay particular attention to potash (K) at this stage of the year. A 23 and 15 t/ha crop of 1st and 2nd cut respectively, will remove 310 kg/ha of K2O. A 3rd cut is likely to remove another 75 kg’s, so it’s worth calculating how much K has been applied. If slurry contains 2.5 kg of K2O per cubic metre, that’s 154 cubic metres of slurry needed to replenish the K offtake from 3 cuts.
If slurry can meet the P & K demands of the 3rd cut, then an N + S fertiliser - such as YaraBela Nutri Booster could be used. If not, YaraMila NK Sulphur is an option on 3rd cuts if P is not required.
To check out Yara’s full range of quality compound fertilisers, please visit https://www.yara.co.uk/crop-nutrition/fertiliser/.
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