Spring Nitrogen Application Boosts Grain Forage Yield and Quality

By Andi Anderson

Applying nitrogen to cereal grains like rye, wheat, barley, and triticale in spring is essential for better yield and forage quality. Using a split application method—once in fall and again in spring—offers the best results. It boosts tillering, increases dry matter yield, improves crude protein, and spreads the risk of nitrogen loss.

Spring is the key time to apply nitrogen, just as crops break dormancy. This reduces the chances of runoff and ensures the nitrogen moves into the soil effectively. Rye and triticale break dormancy earlier than wheat and barley. Proper timing matters because soil must be unfrozen to absorb nutrients.

Research shows that applying at least 30 pounds of nitrogen in the fall, followed by spring application, increases yield and crude protein content. An extra 25 pounds of nitrogen in spring boosts protein levels, regardless of the fall application rate. Yield improvements of up to 200 pounds per acre have been observed with spring application.

Using the past five years’ average yield—excluding the highest and lowest—can help determine realistic yield goals and nitrogen needs. Adding 20 pounds of fall nitrogen increased cereal rye yield by one ton of dry matter. Adding another 20 pounds in spring increased yield by another half to one ton.

Quality indicators such as crude protein and total digestible nutrients (TDN) are influenced by nitrogen. While protein increases with spring nitrogen, too much can lower TDN. Fall nitrogen also raises neutral detergent fibre (NDF), possibly due to earlier plant maturity.

Soil type and drainage also affect nitrogen efficiency. Sandy soils need more nitrogen, and waterlogged fields may lose nutrients. Tools like NDVI and Canopeo help track nitrogen use by measuring canopy cover. Forage tests also guide feeding and help decide if extra supplements are needed.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-zoran-zeremski