Focus on nitrogen use efficiency – Part 2

Maintaining soils at or above the optimum soil pH (6.0), has many benefits, one of which is the release 30 – 60 kg/ha of N through improved N mineralisation. Regular soil testing and a liming plan are key elements of good grassland management.

Identifying and reseeding poorly performing fields is a sure way of turning sometimes the worst performing leys into the best, without any change in N rate. 

White clover offers huge advantages for grazing systems to lower nitrogen inputs, while still maintaining herbage production to support medium and highly stocked farms. It also has further advantages in promoting milk output/solids and daily liveweight gain.

Many intensively stocked dairy grazing systems have reduced N inputs by 100 – 150 kg/ha without lowering stocking rate. Managing white clover successfully does require a higher level of management, but it does pay dividends. 

Manure management has a big impact on NUE. The N in manures is important, but greater NUE benefits accrue from how you use them to supply crop P & K requirements and optimise soil fertility. The link between sulphur supply and NUE is well established, due to the synergy between these two nutrients when supplied together. 

Improving a farms NUE, is an economically sustainable approach to getting more from less. But it does require a constant focus, investment and sometimes a change in mind set, to reap the rewards.