March 10, 2026
The first cut is the cheapest
With 1st cut fertiliser applications beginning, it’s important to remember that 1st cut silage is the most economical cut to grow and usually supports the highest livestock performance of any silage cut.
Because 1st cuts have the highest yield, they in turn have the lowest cost of production per tonne of dry matter ensiled. This is why it pays to ensure these crops receive the nutrients they require to fully reach their yield potential.
If the intended harvest date is in the first half of May, apply 120 kg/ha of nitrogen and lowering the application rate for older less productive swards. Where cattle slurry was or will be applied, take account of the available nitrogen in the slurry. This can be determined from a recent slurry analysis using the total nitrogen content of the slurry and use RB209 to then look up what the percentage availability of the total nitrogen in the slurry. Alternatively use the book values in RB209.
1st cuts require 40 kg and 80 kg of phosphate and potash respectively per ha. In the absence of a slurry analysis use these RB209 standard values of 1.2 kg and 2.5 kg of phosphate and potash respectively per cubic metre for cattle slurry. All 1st cut silage crops should routinely receive 35 – 40 kg/ha of sulphur. 10 m3 of slurry will contribute 3 kg of available sulphur. Finally, choose a quality uniform compound fertiliser such as YaraMila Sulphur Cut or YaraMila 52 S to supply the nutrients your 1st cut needs this spring.
