Urea use has proven to be a successful option to boost winter growth, helping farmers in the Yarra Ranges to grow more grass, which is vital during the current drought conditions.
Agriculture Victoria livestock industry development officer Nick Linden said after a poor spring and summer and a late autumn break, the need to grow more feed is a top priority.
“AgVic is holding a webinar on Monday 11 August at 12pm, for livestock farmers focused on using urea to boost pasture growth this winter and spring.
“Urea is a proven option for increasing pasture growth rates through winter.
For those who haven’t used urea before, this might be the year to try it.
Pasture growth and accumulation were measured six weeks after each application.
Mr Linden said where there was no urea applied, daily pasture growth rates through July and into August averaged five kilogram DM/ha/day; typical for mid-winter pasture growth.
“Pasture growth rates increased with urea applications and were greatest at the higher urea rate (100 kilogram Urea/ha), however, the higher rate did not give the best cost/benefit.
“We found that a 75 kilogram/ha urea application lifted pasture growth rates to 17 kilogram DM/ha/day, and the 100 kilogram application lifted growth rates to 23 kilogram DM/ha/day, compared to five kilogram DM/ha/day without urea.
“This increase in pasture growth rate and subsequent availability represented the difference between a pasture that would not maintain weaners or lactating stock, to one that would fully feed either stock class.”
Register for the AgVic urea webinar at: tinyurl.com/5286pf7x
Find more information about available drought support visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.
