Spreading nitrogen and sulphur at the same time means more grass
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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Silage mineral analysis - what does it all mean?
Silage mineral testing is usually carried out to calculate livestock mineral supplementation rates. Simple interpretation of your mineral analysis can also shine a light on a particular problem, such as poor yields or low silage protein.
Nitrogen (N) – Disappointing grass yields combined with a low N % (and protein %) on the report, even though the grass was cut with high to medium proportion of leaf to stem, could be symptomatic of sub-optimal N applications. This is not surprising since N is required to facilitate growth through chlorophyll production and build plant proteins.
Sulphur (S) – Your silage should have an S % of more than 0.25 %, and an N:S ratio of between 10:1 and 13:1. The N:S ratio is calculated by dividing the N % by the S%. S is associated with plant N uptake and is a building block of plant proteins. Any deficiency is usually not noticeable in the grass before harvest, but low yields and lower proteins levels are associated with low sulphur.
The essential amino acids cysteine and methionine are usually low in S deficient grass. Potassium (K) – Low K % (< 2 %) in silage might indicate that the crop didn’t receive enough K. Low grass yields and poor responses to N can often be associated with poor K crop nutrition. Soil test if you haven’t done so and apply K as per recommendations (RB 209).
Regular testing and analysis are essential to get the best from your silage crop.
Grassland agronomy advice
The latest grassland fertiliser and nutrition advice from the Yara agronomists.
Recent grassland webinars
Advice on managing fertiliser inputs on first cut silage crops this spring
Philip Cosgrave, Yara's Grassland Agronomist is joined by Nicola Ingram and Nigel Mills, Yara Area Managers for UK and Ireland, to discuss a range of topics to help inform farmers on how best to manage fertiliser applications this spring on silage crops.
Yara and CAFRE Nutrients Action Programme (NAP) - Update for fertiliser distributors
In this webinar Philip Cosgrave, Yara Grassland Agronomist and Aveen McMullan, Senior Agricultural Technologist at CAFRE provide an update on the Nutrients Action Programme (NAP) regulations relating to the use and application of inorganic fertilisers and an explanation of the requirement for fertilisation plans.
How to get healthy grass and happy cows
In this webinar, Philip Cosgrave is joined by Conrad Ferris from AFBI to talk about the planning behind a successful spring grassland nutrition strategy.
How to manage lime and fertiliser on a livestock farm
In this webinar, Philip Cosgrave of Yara and Kevin Havekes of Kilwaughter Lime collaborate to give an insight into how lime and fertiliser work hand in hand.
Grass, milk and robots - webinar
Our grassland agronomy expert Philip Cosgrave joins Cormac Garvey from Lely for this webinar to discuss grazing systems for robotic milking, grassland management and grassland nutrition management.
How manage grassland fertilisation in simple steps
In this webinar, Jon Telfer, Philip Cosgrave and Nigel Hester talk through the steps needed for successful grassland fertilisation.
Listen to the latest grassland podcasts
If you are short of time why not check out our bite-size podcasts for the latest thoughts on grassland nutrition.
Looking for even more information ...
If you would like more information and would like to speak to one of our area managers or agronomists please find all their contact details here.
Contact your local Yara area manager or agronomist
Where can I buy Yara fertiliser ...
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