Silage fertiliser

leoch

I'm thinking about putting out 4 bags of cut sward for cutting it got about 2000 gal of cattle slurry about 7 weeks ago the slurry was from a tank of fattening heifers on himaize meal.....would the nitrogen be all gone from the slurry by now and would I just count the 96 units form now from the fertiliser or would I need to add on 12 to 15 units from the slurry to get my cutting date.....sorry not very clear but hopefully u know wat I mean... ..hopefully cut early to mid june

tanko

Would 3 bags/acre not be plenty on it.

Dunedin

leoch wrote: »

I'm thinking about putting out 4 bags of cut sward for cutting it got about 2000 gal of cattle slurry about 7 weeks ago the slurry was from a tank of fattening heifers on himaize meal.....would the nitrogen be all gone from the slurry by now and would I just count the 96 units form now from the fertiliser or would I need to add on 12 to 15 units from the slurry to get my cutting date.....sorry not very clear but hopefully u know wat I mean... ..hopefully cut early to mid june

Wouldn’t worry about the nitrogen from the slurry at this stage but the 4 bags of cut sward will need circa 7 weeks so you’ll be tight enough at early to mid June. Get the fert out ASAP and you can always get the grass tested around the first week of June. Your local coop might be able to do it or point you in the direction.

jd_12345

leoch wrote: »

I'm thinking about putting out 4 bags of cut sward for cutting it got about 2000 gal of cattle slurry about 7 weeks ago the slurry was from a tank of fattening heifers on himaize meal.....would the nitrogen be all gone from the slurry by now and would I just count the 96 units form now from the fertiliser or would I need to add on 12 to 15 units from the slurry to get my cutting date.....sorry not very clear but hopefully u know wat I mean... ..hopefully cut early to mid june

I know this isn’t helpful but would it be worthwhile going with say two bags of cut sward and being ready to cut the 20th May and then go for a second cut around start of July. Only saying as I find if you get a spell of weather around 20th May it can be a great time to cut, especially if you’re finishing cattle.
I know it’s not answering your question but I just see lads that have put out too much nitrogen and being stuck in a hard spot when the weather is ideal. If you’re making bales this is especially important imo.
I wouldn’t take any notice of what nitrogen is left from the slurry. I’d imagine there’s none or negligible amount left.

Dunedin

jd_12345 wrote: »

I know this isn’t helpful but would it be worthwhile going with say two bags of cut sward and being ready to cut the 20th May and then go for a second cut around start of July. Only saying as I find if you get a spell of weather around 20th May it can be a great time to cut, especially if you’re finishing cattle.
I know it’s not answering your question but I just see lads that have put out too much nitrogen and being stuck in a hard spot when the weather is ideal. If you’re making bales this is especially important imo.
I wouldn’t take any notice of what nitrogen is left from the slurry. I’d imagine there’s none or negligible amount left.

Not bad advice above

White Clover

How old is the pasture? It'd be pointless putting that much fert on an old pasture, on a new one, fire away but make sure you're supplying enough P & K too and not just focusing on the nitrogen.

Jb1989

Dunedin wrote: »

Not bad advice above

As long as everyone else doesn't do it too,
Cause then the contractor will be on top of his head during that window and someone will loose out.
Its not the be all and end all unless you've your own outfit.

DBK1

Dunedin wrote: »

Not bad advice above

Agreed, it’s the only option I’d consider if I hadn’t silage fert on yet.

That grass will start to turn stemmy by the end of May no matter how heavy or light it is by then. If you plan on leaving it growing until mid June it would only be dry cow quality silage.

Go with less fert, take a light cut by 20th May as stated above and fertilise straight away for second cut. You’ll have much better quality feed for the winter.