Dairy Exporter November 2021

Page 41

SYSTEMS DAIRYNZ

Saving on summer nitrogen Words by: Virginia Serra

F

ertiliser is one of the biggest operating expenses onfarm, and the response to nitrogen (N) fertiliser in summer can be low and unprofitable on some farms. With the new cap on synthetic nitrogen fertiliser in place this season, reducing applications over summer is a strategy many farmers are considering. In summer, soil mineralisation rates are high and clover is growing. If soils already have enough N, applying more may not result in additional growth or be economic. As part of DairyNZ’s work with partner farms in Selwyn and Hinds, some farmers have significantly reduced N applications over January and February, with little impact on pasture consumption. This has required careful planning but resulted in farmers saving money on fertiliser, while maintaining production levels. Not every farm is in a position to make these changes, but it’s Virginia Serra. worthwhile considering if it’s right for your farm. Clover cover is one factor that will affect whether you can reduce N applications – clover fixes N in the soil, providing an alternative N source to fertiliser. Established pastures with good clover cover could receive less N, whereas new pastures or areas with less clover cover will benefit more from continuing N applications.

White clover.

In addition, check your soils have good pH levels and adequate levels of potassium, phosphorus and other key minerals. A deficiency in any key mineral can limit pasture growth. A clover health profile is also recommended to check if clover will flourish over summer. Spreading effluent on paddocks is an alternative source of N to fertiliser and can allow you to reduce applications.

benefit from it – like areas with high clover content or which receive effluent. Deciding on reduced N applications is something best discussed with a trusted advisor. Some partner farms found the changes didn’t work for them, as it affected milk production, so plan your approach and talk through the issues with an advisor, to consider if it suits your farm.

Spreading effluent on paddocks is an alternative source of N to fertiliser and can allow you to reduce applications.

You’ll also need to consider if you want to apply N to boost pasture growth for feed in future months. With some good forward planning, a number of partner farms in Canterbury have reduced N applications to 15-20kg a month in January and February. Many have applied other nutrients through fertilisers, so that they can apply N at low levels. Some farmers skip N applications in January and February on areas which don’t

Dairy Exporter | www.nzfarmlife.co.nz | November 2021

They can also help consider local issues, such as rainfall and weather conditions, which affect N response. If changes this summer can’t be made, you may want to focus on improving your clover cover for next summer to give you the option to make future changes. More? On managing N fertiliser use online at www.dairynz.co.nz/N-use. • Virginia Serra is DairyNZ project leader – Selwyn Hinds. 41


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Keep the water flowing

5min
pages 86-88

The Dairy Exporter in November 1971

3min
pages 90-92

Want to save time milking?

2min
page 89

Former Lincoln student making a buzz from honey

6min
pages 80-81

Kieran McCahon hears the call of the land

6min
pages 82-83

LUDF: Cows approve of milking blend

6min
pages 84-85

Mastitis: Somatic cell counts - How low can you go?

6min
pages 74-75

Tools for timing effluent application

8min
pages 68-71

System in-line to cut methane

7min
pages 64-66

Soil carbon: Blame it on the worms

6min
pages 72-73

Wagyu: Calf contracts come with semen straws

3min
page 76

Winning with tetraploids

4min
pages 62-63

Soil Carbon: The promise in biochar

2min
page 67

MINDA: Sharing the technology

2min
page 77

Collaborating on forages

6min
pages 60-61

Endophytes key to ryegrass success

5min
pages 56-57

Lipids: Catching them in the rye

5min
pages 58-59

Treating the pasture right at Canvastown

6min
pages 52-53

Trevor Ellett: A ryegrass pioneer

3min
pages 54-55

Why do more on emissions?

3min
pages 44-45

Strong growth in sheep dairy

3min
pages 42-43

US tests of NZ-developed ryegrass

5min
pages 49-51

Saving on summer nitrogen

2min
page 41

Realising the ownership goal

8min
pages 38-40

Market View: Milk price silly season continues 12

3min
pages 20-21

Dispensers get farm fresh milk close to customers

4min
pages 30-33

Making the most of a Treaty settlement

7min
pages 22-24

Phil Edmonds reckons it’s time for banks to go back to the land

9min
pages 14-17

Mark Chamberlain detects change with a difference

3min
page 13

Global Dairy: US Cheesemakers on the march

5min
pages 18-19

At a wet Punakaiki, risk is real for the Reynolds family

3min
page 11

Hamish Hammond transitions to once-a-day milking

3min
page 12
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