Grassland - Beef

Beef

Nitrogen (N) fertilizer advice for grazing

Rates and timing of N fertilizer applications for swards grazed by suckler calf to weaning at various stocking rates. Rates of fertilizer N are shown as kg/ha. Refer to Teagasc Green Book for N advice for other dry stock systems.

See link to Early N Advice Guidelines for efficient use & response https://www.teagasc.ie/publications/2022/when-to-apply-early-nitrogen-n.php

Nitrogen (N) requirements for pasture

There is no reliable soil test currently available for N. Therefore, there is no soil Index system for N in grassland.
Recommendations are based on average soil fertility levels.
Total N application and on the farm and time of application must be compliant with nitrates regulations.
Matching nitrogen fertilizer use to stocking density on the farm at different times of the year avoids excessive use.
Applying nitrogen fertilizer ‘little and often’ during the growing season gives most efficient response in terms of grass growth.

Phosphorus (P) for drystock grazed swards*

Rates shown must be deducted to account for P fed to livestock in concentrate feeds
Adjust rates based on slurry management as per fertiliser plan.
To account for P in concentrate feeds, use either actual P content in the feeds used if available, or alternatively, use a default value of 5 kg of P per tonne of concentrate feed.
Complete a farm fertiliser plan to determine farm N & P allowances.

Fertiliser Values for Cattle Slurry

Sulphur

Figure 1. Grass yield responses to sulphur applied on a range of soil types. Grass yield responses to S range from 1.0 to 3t/ha from heavy to light soil types.

Sulphur (S) is an important nutrient for grassland, and is closely associated with N uptake and efficiency.
There is currently no soil test or soil Index system for S.
Herbage analysis is the best predictor of S deficiency.
Lighter soils with low organic matter contents are generally more prone to S deficiency.

Figure 2. Map indicating areas of possible S deficiency

S fertiliser advice

The response to S fertiliser increases as the rate of N fertiliser increases.
On S deficient soils, apply 20 kg/ha per year for grazed swards.
For silage swards on S deficient soils, apply 20 kg/ha of S per cut.
Avoid S application to soils not deficient in S, as excess S may affect the trace element nutrition of plants and animals.
S can be applied by using any of a number of straight or compound fertilizers that contain S.
Aim to apply S containing fertilisers from March / April to June