Winter is a key preparation window for the spring silage crop.
As northern Victoria dairy farmers look ahead to the spring silage season, Agriculture Victoria’s experts said winter was the key window for building nutrient reserves in paddocks earmarked for cutting, with effluent playing a central role.
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Applying effluent to paddocks with some green leaf present through winter helps replace nutrients removed by grazing and sets pasture up for strong regrowth.
Come spring, those same paddocks can be locked up for silage.
Dairy effluent contains valuable nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, but levels vary widely between farms, so an effluent test remains the best way to nail the right application rate.
Where testing isn’t available, a rule of thumb is one megalitre of liquid effluent per 12 hectares.
As a guide, total potassium should not exceed 60kg/ha per application, and nitrogen should stay within 60-80kg/ha per application.
Any heavier rates raise the risk of nitrate poisoning, mineral imbalances and nutrient run-off.
Target paddocks with lower existing fertility and minimal run-off risk, and rotate application areas regularly.
Regular soil testing every two to four years helps keep applications on track.
Dairy effluent contains valuable nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, all of which can provide a welcome boost to pasture crops.
If applying to new pasture or crops, wait until plants are established, since effluent’s high salt and nitrogen content can burn seedlings.
Cattle should be kept off treated paddocks for at least 21 days, which overcomes palatability and fouling issues, reduces pathogen risk, and gives pasture time to respond.
Sludge, removed periodically from the first pond, can go onto cropping paddocks or be sprayed thinly on pasture at a guide rate of one megalitre per four hectares.
It then requires a longer withholding period, and paddocks should not be grazed until grass has grown through the sludge layer.
Young stock should also be kept away from storage and application areas altogether.
