Updating grassland fertiliser recommendations: principles and practice

Abstract

Providing fertiliser recommendations for grassland is challenging due to the variety and complexity of livestock production systems ranging from extended grazing to fully housed 'zero grazing' systems. Many farms use multiple grazings and cuttings and there is a wide range of field conditions and grass growth potential. Nutrients recycled at grazing and nitrogen (N) fixed by clover add another layer of complexity and the quantity of grass production is dependent on livestock stocking rates and concentrate use, and can be considerably lower than growth potential. New grassland recommendation systems need to take account of and maximise the impact of recent research findings while also remaining relevant to modern livestock production systems. The challenge is to synthesise research into recommendations that are provided at an appropriate level of precision and area also easy to understand, accessible and recognisable so that farmers can relate them to their own systems. Only then will uptake and use of recommendation increase to further contribute towards improved nutrient use efficiency in grassland production.