25 August, 2026

Visible sward recovery essential before fert is applied

By: Philip Cosgrave

N advice for grazing – After a prolonged dry spell there will be rapid N mineralisation in the soil after it rains, which will release enough N to fuel grass growth recovery. After a decent level of rain has fallen, it’s important to allow for this mineralised N to be utilised.
Spreader on a grassland field
Spreader on a grassland field

When grass growth hits 35+ kg DM/ha/day and the base of the sward is green, then spread nitrogen fertiliser. 

Don’t blanket spread fertiliser on all paddocks and fields, prioritise fertiliser applications on paddocks reseeded in the last 3 years, paddocks with optimum soil fertility and paddocks on heavier soil types. Up to 100 kg/ha of YaraBela Nutri Booster can be spread at this time. Spreading N fertiliser immediately after some rain and before any signs of sward recovery is a waste of fertiliser. 

N advice for silage – When the rain arrives, reduce the target N rate by 30% for fertilising silage crops where a very light crop of grass has been harvested, to take account of N carryover from the previous fertilisation and soil organic N mineralisation. If silage crops were fertilised within the last three weeks, then there is no requirement to reapply N. Typical fertiliser application rates of 230 – 320 kg/ha of YaraMila Sulphur Cut will be required for silage swards once the drought ends. 

An important reminder for farms in NVZ’s in England and Wales, they can apply up to 80 kg/ha of N, between the 15th of September and the 31st of October on grassland.