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Fertilising Dairy Pastures

The aim of the Fertilising Dairy Pastures Program is to enable farmers to make more informed, cost-effective fertiliser management decisions. Pasture production depends on sound use of fertilisers, and it is important to understand soil conditions if best results are to be achieved from fertiliser use. Regular soil testing is necessary to make informed decisions on fertiliser use, and the ability to interpret these results is the key to making the most cost-effective fertiliser choice. It is also important to understand the balance of nutrients in our farming systems.

The environmental impact of nutrients lost from our farming systems can be severe. An improved understanding of nutrient management will assist in the well-being of our waterways and in maintaining a healthy environment well into the future.

Fertilising Dairy Pastures Manual

How do the properties of soils affect plant growth
Managing factors that can limit plant growth
Soil types of the dairying areas
What nutrients do plants require
Assessing the nutrient status of dairy pastures
Interpreting soil and tissue tests
Introducing fertilisers
How to calculate fertiliser rates and costs
Nutrient planning
Nitrogenous fertilisers
Using dairy effluent as a fertiliser
Applying fertilisers
Glossary of soil and fertiliser terms
Appendices

Nutrient Management

A good internet resource is the Australian Soil Research Information web page on Nutrient Management and Better Fertiliser Decisions:

Fertilizing Dairy Pastures Manual - Prepared by the Soils and Fertilisers State wide Activity Team of the Target 10 Program.

First Published November 1997
Revised Edition April 1998
Revised Edition June 1998
Second Edition February 2005

Published by the Department of Primary Industries
Victorian State Government, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

ISBN 1 74146 219 3