Since 2014 when United Feeds where one of the first companies to introduce protected urea to the NI market, SustaiN protected urea has become the fertiliser product of choice for many farmers across the country.
Company agronomist, Chloe Kyle explains why:
“Grassland farmers recognise that urea offers better value per unit of nitrogen than CAN alternatives”
“The addition of the proven urease enzyme inhibitor: Agrotain™ to urea in the SustaiN range of fertilisers creates a product that can be used confidently in all growing conditions.”
“This means that this unique urea source can be used throughout the growing season.”
She added:
“We are finding that livestock farmers are happy to use SustaiN on both silage and grazing areas with equal confidence.”
United Feeds introduced SustaiN to Northern Ireland 11 years ago, following expansive trial work conducted across the island of Ireland by Teagasc and the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI).
Chloe Kyle again:
“The combined use of low emission slurry spreading equipment (LESSE) and protected urea is now recognised as making an important contribution when it comes to reducing the carbon footprint of grassland farms, while also reducing nitrate leaching levels into ground water.”
Results from a study by AFBI and Teagasc have shown the considerable benefits that SustaiN can deliver.
Trials showed that SustaiN offered a reduction in ammonia losses of up to 84% compared with straight urea, whilst maintaining similar agronomic yields to CAN and reducing nitrous oxide emissions by up to 73%.
It is more effective than Calcium Ammonium Nitrate (CAN) in terms of the Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) that can be achieved: 62% versus 58%.
Total annual grass yields are comparable between CAN, urea or SustaiN. However, SustaiN can deliver a significant financial saving per unit of Nitrogen when compared to CAN.
This confirms that comparable levels of productivity, as well as reduced volatile N losses, are achievable.
Meanwhile, dairy and other livestock farmers are gearing up for the 2026 grass growing season.
Christopher Connell and Alastair Meighan milk 120 cows in partnership on the outskirts of Dungiven.
Their autumn calving herd is currently averaging 10,000L at 4.66% butterfat and 3.66% protein.
Looking to the future they plan to maintain milk volumes while working to boost constituent levels.
SustaiN fertiliser has been used as a chemical nitrogen source on the farm throughout the growing season for the past five years.
“There are two reasons for this,” Christopher explained.
“It is extremely cost effective per unit of nitrogen applied and it delivers a consistent response on both grazing and silage ground throughout the season.”
“Three cuts of grass silage are taken each year with this forage source supplemented by home grown maize and wholecrop.”
He continued:
“We use slurry throughout the year to provide the phosphate and potash required by our grass swards. SustaiN is then used to provide the additional nitrogen needed to maximise grass growth and quality.”
“But above all else it is the consistent results achieved from SustaiN that make it stand out. There have been times over the past couple of years when our silage swards have looked a little light.”
“But when they were cut, it was immediately obvious that they had real body to them and crop yields have been very pleasing. The quality of the silage that we have made since using SustaiN has been very encouraging.”
And the figures speak for themselves. The first cut silage made by Christopher and Alastair last year had an average ME of 11.5MJ with the protein figure coming in at 13%. The average dry matter value was 32.8%.
Christopher concluded:
“We will be using SustaiN again in 2026. The fertiliser has proven itself in terms of making a real and positive difference to the management of all our grass swards.”
Chloe Kyle confirmed that SustaiN is available in a range of nitrogen sulphur and potash blends.
She commented:
“Most soils in Northern Ireland are deficient in sulphur. While applying slurry will help mitigate this issue to some extent, there will still be a requirement to add chemical sulphur to boost grass output and feed quality.”
She concluded:
“Sulphur is at the very heart of the protein production pathways in grass swards. The nutrient is also a key determinant of grass growth rates.”
SustaiN is a locally trialled and well trusted, sustainable product which gives optimum value for money.
Contact your local United Feeds representative today, or call 02890 75900
