Fertiliser strategies for improving nitrogen use efficiency in grazed dairy pastures

Abstract

Evidence from farm level studies indicates that there is potential to improve nitrogen (N) use efficiency of the predominately pasture-based dairy farms in Australia. This is possible via several ways which includes modifying the timing and rates of N fertiliser applied to pasture. Traditionally fertiliser strategies have been based on a “recipe” approach where N fertiliser, primarily urea, is applied a set rate following grazing. The aim of this study was to compare the pasture dry matter response, N loss and response rate of fertiliser strategies which used increasing knowledge of plant and soil conditions in different ways. The study was conducted under grazing conditions using the biophy..