Open AccessA farmer's experience with high N fertiliser inputs on grass/clover pastures
Author(s) -
Stephen M. Barr
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
grassland research and practice series
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2463-4751
pISSN - 0110-8581
DOI - 10.33584/rps.6.1995.3347
Subject(s) - pasture , agronomy , silage , grazing , forage , environmental science , nitrogen balance , livestock , agroforestry , nitrogen , biology , chemistry , ecology , organic chemistry
A dairy farmer's experiences in managing various levels of fertiliser nitrogen (N) inputs over the 1991-95 seasons is discussed and compared to previous years when very little N fertiliser was used. N requirements were assessed by regular herbage tests. Fertiliser N increased pasture growth in spring, early summer and autumn. Animal intakes were greater on N-boosted pasture. Higher rates of N fertilisers (450 kgN/ha/yr) generated large spring surpluses which were harvested as silage. Several changes in management were required to maintain pasture quality and effectively utilise these surpluses. Feed costs vs milk returns are compared for a number of seasons. Moderate fertiliser N usage (200- 300 kg N/ha/yr) is considered likely to give the most profitable balance. Keywords: clover, dairying, grazing management, milksolids, nitrogen, pasture growth, pasture quality