Author: Reily Menhenett, Technical Agronomist, Incitec Pivot

Following an excellent autumn break across most key pasture regions, attention turns from autumn applications of phosphorus and potassium to winter applications of nitrogen.

For grass-based pastures, use of nitrogen over winter is an excellent way to boost pasture production and drive down the cost of feed.

Nitrogen is best used tactically, to complement grazing strategies and balance dry matter production with cost.

Rules for nitrogen in pasture

To gain an economic response from nitrogen, it is recommended that pastures meet the following criteria:

  • Actively growing pasture (vegetative growth, ground temperature >5-10oC, >50mm plant available water)
  • Low weed pressure, grass dominant pastures.

The rate of nitrogen used should match the grazing plan for the pasture. Between 25-50kg/ha of nitrogen is typically the recommendation for pasture. Applying 1kg/ha/day of spelling will provide the most effective response in a responsive pasture – for example on a 30-day round, 30kg/ha of nitrogen is the optimal rate.

Nitrogen should be applied immediately after animals exit the paddock. There is a 1% reduction in dry matter response per day that nitrogen application is delayed.

Green Urea NV®

Pastures have naturally high organic carbon levels, and therefore microbial activity in the topsoil. When combined with the effect of pasture thatches causing spread urea to be ‘hung up’ rather than reach the ground, volatilisation potential can be significant.

Even in cold conditions, if moisture is sufficient, and urea remains unincorporated, these losses can reach more than 30% of the applied nitrogen.

A field trial measuring volatilisation conducted in Hagley, Tasmania, in winter 2024 clearly demonstrated both the risks of nitrogen volatilisation, as well as the efficacy of Green Urea NV®, which reduced losses by 71%. Figure 1 summarises the results from the trial.

Figure 1: Nitrogen lost through volatilisation in pasture (Hagley, Tasmania, 2024). Data labels show % of applied nitrogen lost. Source: Incitec Pivot, 2026

EASY N®

EASY N® provides a number of benefits in the storage and application of nitrogen. One key benefit, investigated in a 2025 Incitec Pivot trial was the value of a one pass tank mix for EASY N® and Gibberellic Acid in a ryegrass pasture near Boisdale, Victoria.

The trial highlighted the synergistic effect of nitrogen applied with Gibberellic Acid, as well as the operational flexibility provided by EASY N® to deliver both in one pass.

Figure 2 summarises the dry matter production from the trial, 30 days after application.

Figure 2: Nitrogen and Gibberellic Acid trial at Boisdale (2025). U = urea, E = EASY N®. Black bars show N alone, red bars show N + gibberellic acid. Source: Incitec Pivot, 2026

Importantly, while there were no statistically significant differences between the dry matter production for EASY N® versus urea, differences did exist in the profitability of each treatment, owing to the value generated by the one pass solution. Figure 3 summarises the economic outcomes for selected treatments from this trial.

As shown in Figure 3, the tank mix of EASY N® and Gibberellic Acid was most profitable – combining the dry matter boost from the GA with the value of a one pass solution.

Figure 3: Economic summary of treatments from nitrogen + gibberellic acid (GA) trial. Source: Incitec Pivot, 2026

Summary

Winter nitrogen application in pasture can boost pasture growth, providing a cheaper source of feed, generated on farm. Incitec Pivot offers a number of products which can be used to improve the efficiency of nitrogen application. Green Urea NV® and EASY N® are examples of this, both offering unique benefits to ensure maximum value can be derived from applied nitrogen.

Further information 

For more information on managing nitrogen strategies, please contact Incitec Pivot’s Technical Agronomist, Reily Menhenett, at reily.menhenett@incitecpivot.com.au.