Too early for fertiliser....grass shortage

k mac

Even though i have small numbers of sheep they have the place eaten to the clay almost. Due to start lambing first week in April and am afraid there willl not be much regrowth and i will be short of grass. Is it too early to put out fert, i know some people put out urea this time of year, but there is issues around soil temperature and if the ground is to bare...its too expensive to be wasting.

daviddenis

Use protected Urea. It's time of year for it. Seen few lads starting and I'm think spreading the paddocks near shed in next week.

You could throw out a bale or sugar beet in field. Might help too. To give chance to grass. Growth is starting

orm0nd

I wouldn't be using protected urea at this time of year, no need to throw good money after bad.

wrangler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120283006#Comment_120283006

Going near ewes and lambs with a bag of meal is only looking for trouble..... much better to have grass growing for them.

I put out protected urea last week

Mad about baa baas

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120287966#Comment_120287966

Just out of curiosity why do you say it's asking for trouble?

wrangler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120288139#Comment_120288139

If you've a big bunch of sheep, lambs can get mixed up and lost in the rush for meal.

If we've to feed meal it's usually at the end of april when l most of the lambs are over 3weeks old

orm0nd

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120283006#Comment_120283006

That's not my point. Normal urea should work as well as protected in present conditions I see some of the dairy lads don't intend using protected until May. Don't know the cost difference but with forecasted outlook for price every euro spared might be welcome.

memorystick

I put out Supernet on 13 February. Place is well taking off.

orm0nd

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120290367#Comment_120290367

I don't know. Spread lime in December so won't be spreading urea this spring.

farawaygrass

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120307126#Comment_120307126

Teagasc say wait 3 to 6 months before spreading urea after lime

orm0nd

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120314497#Comment_120314497

December was very dry here so we'll veering towards the max. most likely won't be using any this year(urea)

farawaygrass

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120314852#Comment_120314852

i only spread lime in early January and it’s got practically no rain since. I can still clearly see it on the ground. I’m starting to wonder will it be safe or not to cut silage at this stage!