Current and future direction of nitrogen fertiliser use in Australian grazing systems

Abstract

The nitrogen (N) nutrition of dairy pasture systems in southern Australia has changed from almost total dependence on legumes in the early 1990s through to almost complete reliance on N fertiliser today. Although some tactical N fertiliser is applied to sheep and beef pastures to boost late winter growth, most N fertiliser usage on pastures remains with the dairy industry. Intensification of the farming system, through increased stocking rates and a greater reliance on N fertiliser, has increased N loading, leading to higher potential N losses through volatilisation, leaching and denitrification. With increasing focus on the environmental impact of livestock production, reducing N loading on..