Manning, NSW Nitrogen Use Efficiency Feedback Farm
“Getting more production in Autumn & Winter”
Oxley Island dairy farmer, James Neal, believes that the right use of nitrogen in autumn is hampered
by an inability to predict nitrogen requirements for annual rye grass sown into kikuyu, the pasture
system managed by many NSW coastal dairy farmers. Whilst there has been many studies
undertaken on the two species separately, there is little data examining the interaction between
both species and very little understood about the influence of nitrogen in the relationship. How
does Kikuyu affect Annual Ryegrass N requirement? When do we need to apply N and how much is
enough?
It is these questions that the Manning NUE Feedback Farm trial is attempting to unravel for this
pasture system of NSW. The end result of the two year project will be development of some clearer
“rules of thumb” for nitrogen use in summer leading into the sowing period, and during annual rye
grass establishment- that is, improved guidelines for nitrogen use to fill the knowledge gap identified
by James Neal. He predicts that the outcome for his farm, and others, will be more production in
Autumn and Winter from more strategic use of Nitrogen at the right times and the right rates.
To date there has been an extensive literature review undertaken to inform the trial design and a
wealth of knowledge called upon from leading researchers in nitrogen for dairy systems from all
corners of Australia. These experts supported James’ call for research into this area at a NUE ‘Think
Tank’ conducted by the project in April of 2014.
The year-long research period following has
led to the establishment of a random trial plot
on the farm of James Neal where rates of 0,
50, 150 and 300 kg/ha of N are being applied.
The formation of an advisor and farmer
Support Group, that will provide ongoing
feedback and input into the trial at critical
decision making points of the trial, is an
important component of the two year project.
At the initial on-farm meeting of the Group in
March 2015, Peter Beale, Senior Pasture
Officer for Hunter LLS, firstly outlined the
findings of the literature review and explained
the trial layout to those in attendance.
Shane Hulands (Dairy Farmer), Mark Farley (ANZ
Agribusiness Manager- Forster) and Aaron Kemp
(Agronomist for Taree & Wingham Produce (CRT)) take a
close look at the trial plots.
To establish the site, two
automated soil moisture
probes have been installed
for ongoing monitoring and
the plot design layed out.
Cuts are undertaken at the
four leaf growth stage of the
Kikuyu then drying, weighing
and analysis of each cut is
undertaken to determine kg/
DM/ha. Ongoing soil testing
and Nitrogen leaf content
testing is also undertaken.
Peter Beale, Hunter LLS Senior Pasture Officer and Project Manager, explains
the trial design to the Support Group members.
Whilst the thirteen strong Group consists of local agronomists, bankers, milk factory field staff, local
dairy farmers, and personnel from both the Hunter and North Coast Local Land Services, it is keen to
see any interested farmers and advisor involved in the project.
The ongoing results of the trial can be followed through updates published in the Mid-Coast Dairy
Action Group’s newsletter “Dairy Doings” and Dairy NSW’s Dairy Snapshot.
Funding for the Manning NUE
Feedback Farm is supported by
Dairy Australia, Hunter Local
Land Services and the Australian
Government
For further information
contact:
Marguerite White, Dairy
Australia NRM Technical
Specialist- NSW
Phone: 0447 500 415
James Neal hope that the outcome for NSW Coastal dairy farms will be increased
Autumn and Winter production through more strategic use of Nitrogen