Benefits of sulphur not to be missed

“We know from research in the late 1990s into 2000 that where sulphur deficiency is redressed, yield and quality increases,

particularly at second and third cut,” she says. “New trials carried out by GrowHow last year have shown that, even on a site that was not apparently sulphur-deficient, the application of a sulphur-containing fertiliser improved DM yield and sugar content over both the second and third cuts.”

Trials

In these trials, the recommend rate of 38kg SO3 per ha (15kg/acre) per cut saw DM yield increased by 13 per cent and digestibility improve at second cut.

Ms Jewkes says: “The benefits of extra yield are obvious, but the quality benefits can have an important effect. Increased sugar levels can improve DM intakes and increase protein use in the rumen, meaning that more of the protein goes to meat or milk, rather than being excreted.”

Because of the reduction in sulphur deposition from the environment, she suggests there may be a beneficial response to a sulphur fertiliser, even where plant testing suggests no deficiency exists.

“With the use of a sulphur compound adding little or no extra cost, it begs the question why more farmers don’t take the opportunity to increase their silage yields,” she says.

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