EASY Experiences

Tim Freeman, EASY N ProGibb pasture, Hunter Valley

Success made EASY for dairy farmer

Delivering nitrogen to pasture and silage paddocks has been made easier for one dairy farmer in the Hunter Valley.

Tim Freeman said he was extremely impressed with the improved nitrogen uptake and growth that came after using EASY N®, a liquid nitrogen fertiliser from Incitec Pivot Fertilisers.

EASY N provides growers with a nitrogen option that contains three different forms of nitrogen, which helps lowering volatilisation risk compared to surface applied urea, as well as increasing nitrogen uptake potential.

Tim manages a dairy property near Denman, milking a 400-head Holstein herd during peak times.

Almost 70 hectares of the 142 ha property owned by Ross McDarmont is under pivot irrigation, while the remainder of the property is irrigated using travelling irrigators.

After advice from John Aurisch from Denman Dapkos, Tim and Ross made the decision to switch to liquid fertilisers as they were looking at ways to increase their pasture’s nitrogen uptake and improve farm efficiency.

“We had heard a lot of talk about how good EASY N was, but when we did our own trial on EASY N with growth regulator, ProGibb SG®, the results blew me away,” he said.

ProGibb SG is a plant growth regulator available through Sumitomo Chemicals that can stimulate growth through cell expansion, resulting in stem and leaf elongation.

“After applying EASY N, we were able to graze the forage sorghum a couple more times than we would have if we had used urea,” Tim said.

“Also, our ryegrass and clover pastures kept up over the drier months, where they would normally dry off.”

After realising the potential for increased pasture and silage growth across the farm, EASY N is now applied through the centre pivot irrigation system, while a boomspray is used to apply ProGibb SG along with other compatible insecticides.

A 34,000 L EASY N tank was also installed, which has allowed them to keep a supply of the fertiliser on-hand at all times.

He said the easy storage of liquid fertiliser was a factor when making the decision to switch.

“When we used urea, we had to make sure we had enough room in the sheds, as well as organise the transport and delivery of the product, which could be difficult during peak months,” he said.

“Plus, we would spread it ourselves and if we had breakdowns, this held up our fertiliser applications.”

“But with the fertigation system, we just flick a switch and the work is done for us.”

Tim said the new application system meant they could do more applications of EASY N at lower rates.

“We’re putting out two applications of about 35 L/ha of EASY N after each grazing, whereas we used to put out about 100-125 kg/ha of urea, which made the nitrogen more prone to volatilisation.”

EASY N can be supplied direct to farm in 26 to 38 tonne bulk truckloads to approved storage tanks or supplied in 1,000 L containers.

For more information on EASY N, speak to your local Incitec Pivot Fertilisers’ Distributor.

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