FORAGE AND ARABLE
Winter crop wins Wise use of nitrogen (N) can support a winning winter crop.
damage from pugging, is a lower yield
A side dressing of N can help winter crops meet their yield potential but too much N reduces return on investment and could cause stock health issues.
you’re working on and therefore a better
“Planning how much N, including side dressings you’re going to apply to kale, swede or fodder beet before sowing, helps to optimise N inputs and yield,” Ballance Agri-Nutrients Forage Specialist Murray Lane says. Applying just the amount of N required for growth of brassicas also minimises the risk of stock health issues caused by accumulation of the anti-nutritional compounds SMCOs. This can occur when excess N is applied and sulphate sulphur levels are >10. Start with the soil “The key factors to consider when determining a crop’s N requirements both depend on the soil. What desired yield is appropriate for the soil type and climatic expectations — how much N is available in the soil,” Murray says. “How much yield do you want, relative to the soil and its capacity to hold stock? Thinking of potential soil
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actually more appropriate for the soil option overall than a higher yield?” An available N test before the crop is sown helps to refine N applications. The test measures the potential supply of N for the growing season. The results may vary widely and depend on several factors including how long a paddock has been in pasture. Paddocks used long-term for pasture generally have higher available N reserves than those
Fodder beet findings A Sustainable Farming Fund project investigated fertiliser management (and crop establishment) for optimal fodder beet yields. It found that as fodder beet is a luxury feeder of N, it should be applied prudently. Splitting N applications between sowing and canopy closure helps to achieve optimal yields but applying a third application was shown to have little benefit in terms of additional yield.
that have been cropped. Decision support tools such as the
to the air (volatilisation), resulting
Ballance Brassica Calculators help
in increased N efficiency. SustaiN
determine the required amount of N.
15K, 20K and 25K boosts growth,
Murray recommends applying N side
replenishes potassium levels and is
dressings to winter crops in one hit
useful for fodder beet.
3 to 5 weeks after sowing (depending
“With SustaiN, volatilisation losses are
on the crop). “The N will be used by
half what they would have been with
crop and won’t leach. The greatest risk
standard urea, making it more flexible
of N leaching is from cow urine patches
to use and just get the job done instead
as the crop is grazed. Best practice
of waiting for rain,” Murray says.
suggests sowing a cover crop soon after grazing to capture this urine N,” he says. Best in N The SustaiN range is ideal for N side dressing. It provides reduced N losses
For more information, contact your Ballance Nutrient Specialist, your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. Article supplied by Ballance Agri-Nutrients.
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THE FARMLANDER | 55
