1) Front-load Nutrients for Early Vigour
In a shortened season, crops must establish quickly. Apply the majority of nutrients upfront, especially nitrogen and phosphorus, to support fast vegetative growth.
- Nitrogen (N): Apply most or all of the required N at sowing or early post-emergence to support rapid canopy development.
- Phosphorus (P): Essential for root development, which is key for nutrient and water uptake. Often banded near the seed.
- Know your limiting factors and ensure they are addressed. Regardless of conditions, not managing limiting factors will lead to yield loss. In dry conditions, mineralisation and biological activity are reduced, especially in the topsoil horizon. Soil and sap testing services can assist with this.
- Zinc and manganese: These micronutrients support enzyme activity and photosynthesis in fast-growing plants. Copper is also vital for nitrate assimilation.
- Consider including molybdenum; it’s inexpensive and without it, nitrogen efficiency drops. If you have acidic or sandy light soils, or are growing legume crops, you should definitely use molybdenum.
- Root stimulants like kelp and fulvic acid are effective and worth considering.
2) Use Fast-Available Forms of Fertiliser
- Where possible include foliar nutrition in tank sprays. Keeping roots active leads to improved hormonal response that includes rapid cell division.
- Choose soluble or granular fertilizers that are readily available in the soil.
- Avoid slow-release types; there’s no time for gradual nutrient availability.
- In cold or dry soils, consider liquid fertilizers for better uptake.
3) Precision Placement Matters
- Banding fertilizer near the seed reduces nutrient tie-up and boosts early access.
- Avoid surface broadcasting unless followed by immediate incorporation (especially for N) or rain event.
4) Supplement with Foliar Feeding if Needed
If plants show signs of deficiency or conditions limit root uptake (e.g. cold or compacted soil), apply foliar N or micronutrient sprays. This can “buy time” while root systems catch up. The use of Smart Select N23 and trace elements is recommended when spraying.
5) Nitrogen Management: Split Application (if appropriate)
If conditions permit, a split N strategy can still work:
- Initial N for establishment.
- Top-dress or side-dress during early tillering or stem elongation, depending on crop and rainfall.
This ensures N availability during peak growth, especially if wet weather leaches early applied N.
Crop-Specific Notes (Broadacre Crops)
Wheat / Barley
- Prioritise early nitrogen and phosphorus.
- Consider a urea top-dress before stem elongation (Zadoks 30–32) if biomass is lagging.
- Include small amounts of N and trace elements in foliar sprays.
Canola
- Needs high early P and S (Sulphur).
- N topdressing at the early rosette stage boosts yields if rainfall is reliable.
- Include small amounts of N and trace elements in foliar sprays.
Pulse Crops (e.g., lentils, chickpeas)
- Minimise N unless soils are deficient (they fix their own).
- Focus on phosphorus and potassium.
- Ensure good rhizobia inoculation for effective nitrogen fixation.
- Keep root tips active with Foliar sprays that include root stimulants such as kelp. Legume crops are hungry for calcium which is taken in via the root tip. In the search for calcium, legume crops mineralise calcium phosphate, with added phosphorus availability a bio product and key benefit.
- Look at using Lentil King. It doesn't impact "Imi" efficacy and is tailored to support and trigger root movement.
- Legumes are hungry for molybdenum (more so than other grass or dicot crops) and zinc.
6) Adjust for Conditions
- Moisture availability: In drier environments, high fertiliser rates can stress seedlings. Moderate and split applications are better.
- Trace elements will be more scarce in the top soil horizon due to reduced moisture and mineralisation. Apply trace elements as a foliar.
- Soil temperature: Cooler soils slow nutrient uptake—liquid P or banded P can help along with foliar N and trace elements.
- Crop maturity: Choose early-maturing varieties to match your shortened window.
Avoid These Mistakes
- Delaying N topdressing too long — crops may not recover in time.
- Under-fertilising in fear of late planting — you still need strong early growth.
- Skipping phosphorus — even in late starts, it’s crucial for root and tiller development.
Would you like a region-specific nutrient plan or example calculations for fertiliser rates based on a certain crop or yield target? If so, get in contact with your local rep.