24 March, 2017
Tackling low phosphorus and selenium
Two of the critical nutrients that have a major role in reproductive health are phosphorus and selenium. Yara Analytical Services report that in 2016, phosphorus and selenium were low in 39% and 75% of grass samples respectively.
A dietary deficiency in phosphorus will result in irregular oestrus, silent heats and low conception rates. While selenium deficiency is associated with cystic ovaries, anoestrus and early embryo death.
A lactating cow requires a daily phosphorus intake of 4 grams for every kg of dry matter (DM) intake and 0.3 mg of selenium for every kg of DM intake, so how can we increase the levels of these two nutrients in grazed grass?
We can increase the phosphorus content in grass by applying fresh phosphorus in small but frequent applications from early spring onwards. These fresh applications of phosphorus will raise grass phosphorus levels to 4 g/kg DM.
Booster fertilizers increase selenium levels in grass
Increasing grass selenium levels to the desired 0.3 mg/kg DM is simply and safely possible by applying a quality sodium selenate fortified fertilizer like YaraBela NUTRI BOOSTER (25% N + 5% SO3 + Se) or YaraMila STOCK BOOSTER (25-5-5 + Se + Na) from early spring onwards. These two products contain selenium in every granule, which will guarantee every bite of grass contains an adequate supply of selenium for the cow. By fortifying grass with selenium we can remove all other selenium supplements from the diet, and this gives us the flexibility to cut back on concentrate feed without jeopardising selenium intakes.
Find more information on Yara's range of Booster Fertilizers
