Cattle will also benefit from more feed during this period allowing more weight to be added before the schedule starts to drop or pasture quality declines in early summer.
Three things that will drive your pasture production in spring:
Soil temperature
Farmers often lament the slowness of spring growth but long-term climate records show that this is often very consistent year-on-year.
While there is nothing we can do to change this, it is good to know when soil temperatures start to lift where you live.
Generally, soil temperatures peak in late summer and are often lowest about the time lambing and calving are starting.
Frost has a big effect on soil temperature. Farmers often say they need rain in the spring to get things moving when, in reality, it is the lack of frost, rather than the moisture, that is needed.
Also, irrigated areas with wet soil are slower to heat than dry soil. The temptation to irrigate should be resisted as long as possible to allow soil to warm up.
Nitrogen
The nitrate and ammonium which is plant available is the next biggest driver of spring growth.
Most N found in soil is 'organic N' stored in the organic compounds generated by animal returns and breaking-down plant material. It is this N that requires 'bugs' in the soil to convert it to the mineral form mentioned above.
These bugs require warm temperatures to perform this at the required rate for rapid pasture growth.
In the meantime, applying fertiliser N in the form of urea or ammonium-sulphate (Ammo), when soil temperatures are increasing in the spring, will dramatically lift pasture growth rates.
At the time of writing, $1.10/kg of N urea is a cost effective way of increasing production.
I recommend applying a minimum of 30kgN/ha (65kg Urea/ha) to the warmer parts of your property when soil temperatures are 5C and rising.
Sulphur
Sulphate-sulphur is the last leg of the trifecta to ensure maximum spring growth. Similar to N, the major pool of soil sulphur (S) is also stored in organic matter and can be available in limited quantities in spring.
This is easily measured through soil tests that will show the sulphate-sulphur level.
Generally, levels will be good if an S fertiliser has been applied in autumn, or the winter has been dry with limited drainage.
- Marty O'Connor is the agri manager for Ravensdown.