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Fast Spring Rye sown? It's time to fertilize
If you have sown Fast Spring Rye with the aim of harvesting it as fodder in the spring, then the time has come to provide your crop with additional fertilisation in the coming weeks. To achieve the best results, the ideal fertilisation time is between 15 February and early March, depending on the conditions on your plot.
Fast Spring Rye distinguishes itself as a hybrid winter rye from traditional rye by its rapid germination and initial growth (underground and above ground). This results in the successful capture of residual nitrogen, which limits nitrate leaching as much as possible. The hybrid winter rye, which has been specially developed as a forage crop, also ensures an improvement in soil fertility due to its good rooting. Fast Spring Rye is able to develop very quickly in early spring and can therefore already yield 4.000 to 5.000 kilos of dry matter with a protein percentage of 15% to 18% by mid-April. This results in a protein yield of between 640 and 950 kilos of protein per hectare. However, in order to achieve these results, it is necessary to apply additional nitrogen and sulphur fertilisation with mineral fertilisers at the right time.
Watch the video and learn everything about fertilizing Fast Spring Rye
Determine the correct fertilization time
If the conditions of your plot are good, it is advisable to fertilize the crop as soon as possible after February 15. Always pay close attention to the soil conditions. If you decide to fertilize while the conditions of your plot are not optimal, for example due to rainfall, then track formation can lead to structural damage, which has consequences for the further development of the crop and the yield. Now that the weather conditions and prospects seem to be good, it is advisable to determine a suitable moment as soon as possible to provide your plot with fertilization with Fast Spring Rye.
Nitrogen and sulphur fertilization
The advice is to fertilize at least 50 kilos, but preferably 100 kilos of pure nitrogen per hectare. Where the fertilization space at company level plays a role, in most cases it will be 50 to 80 kilos. Experience has taught us that this also produces good results. Because the sulfur deposition has decreased in recent decades, additional sulfur fertilization of 10 to 15 kilos is also desirable to prevent sulfur deficiency. In addition to nitrogen, sulfur (S) is needed for the formation of proteins in the plant.
When not to fertilize?
If you have sown Fast Spring Rye only as a catch crop and not as a crop with the intention of harvesting it as fodder in the spring, then nitrogen and sulphur fertilisation is of course not necessary.
Do you have any questions about fertilizing Fast Spring Rye?
Please contact your KWS advisor or read more about Fast Spring Rye on the KWS website.
