Grow the future | Grassland selenium fertilisers | Farmer inspecting grass

Tyfu'r dyfodol

Ffordd o fyw yw ffermio ac yn sicr nid yw'n rhagfynegadwy. Dyna pam fod yn rhaid i'ch fferm fod yn ddigon effeithlon i dyfu cnydau sy'n gynaliadwy ac yn broffidiol nawr ac yn y dyfodol.

Grassland selenium fertiliser

Grazing animals have a requirement for selenium so it is important sufficient is present in the grass to meet the animals' needs and so prevent selenium deficiency.

Selenium-enriched fertiliser means healthier livestock

Applying fertiliser enriched with selenium ensures every blade of grass contains the right amount of this vital nutrient to help maintain grazing livestock health.

Why is selenium so important?

Selenium is an essential nutrient for all grazing livestock as it stimulates the immune system and has a significant effect on reproductive health.

Selenium deficiency in cattle has been linked to sub-optimal herd fertility, stillbirths and retention of placenta, calves slow to stand and suckle, increased milk cell counts, increased levels of clinical mastitis and white muscle disease.

Selenium deficiency in sheep has been linked to reduced flock fertility, stillbirths and retained placenta, lambs slow to stand and suckle.

Increased selenium levels in blood have also been linked to increased liveweight gain and wool production.

How common is selenium deficiency?

88%

Grassland soils are deficient in selenium

89%

Grass grazing samples are deficient in selenium

76%

Grass silage samples are deficient in selenium

88% of grassland soils are below guideline level for selenium
89% of grass grazing samples¹ are below the recommended level for selenium
76% of grass silage samples¹ below the recommended level of 0.1 mg/kg

Data from Yara Analytical Services 2015-2020
¹Based on a total of 3,384 forage samples

What are the costs associated with Selenium deficiency?

£258

Cost of a case of mastitis in dairy herd

£197

Average cost of infertility per cow

£390

Cost of each case of a retained placenta

A case of mastitis will cost £258 per case
Dairy cow infertility costs an average £197 per cow
Cow infertility is the single biggest reason for culling in dairy herds
Retained placenta or foetal membranes will cost £390 per case

Figures from Kingshay Dairy Costings 2019

Why is it better to introduce selenium into grass with fertiliser?

100%

of forage samples above guideline after application

Every bite

taken by every animal contains selenium

70 days

increased forage selenium levels folowing application

Save money on boluses and reduce the cost of mineral supplements.
Ensure a consistent supply of selenium to all livestock.
Every bite taken by every animal will contain selenium, whether grazed or conserved as hay or silage.
Levels of selenium in forage remain enhanced for up to 70 days.¹
Selenium in fortified grass is utilised better than supplement sources, basically, it stays in the animal longer. ²

¹ Data published in Veterinary Medicine International, 2012
² Séboussi, 2016

Does fortifying fertiliser with selenium really work?

When it comes to spring we should not overlook the potential of fortifying grass for grazing or for silage with selenium.

You might believe that using fertiliser fortified with selenium is only useful for grazing livestock but this is not the case. If grass silage is fertilised using selenium-enriched fertiliser, this silage will have enough selenium to meet the needs of ewes and cows. Livestock utilises the selenium in grass and silage more efficiently than the selenium found in boluses, licks and TMR mineral mixes.

Whether it’s a lactating ewe or cow, there is an increased demand for selenium because of milk production. It’s therefore important to maintain selenium intakes in this spring period when lactating livestock goes out to grass to avoid high cell counts, increased rates of mastitis and poor reproductive performance.

Yara uses sodium selenate to fortify their Booster range of fertilisers. Sodium selenate is used as it’s taken up by the grass more efficiently, upon application. Unlike blended fertilisers, the Booster range of fertilisers all contain selenium in every granule, ensuring the same levels of selenium in every bite. Using a fortified fertiliser ensures that grass or silage has selenium levels which meet the animal’s requirements of 0.2-0.3 mg/kg DM.

Don't overlook the potential of fortifying grass for grazing or for silage with selenium, for a relatively small investment of around £8 per ha you can a significant portion of your cows' selenium requirement will be met by grass.

Still not convinced ? - listen to some other farmers

Here is a collection of short videos from around the country where some other farmers talk about why they use Yara's Booster fertilisers.

Recommended selenium fertilisers

The following Booster range fertilisers are all enriched with selenium

YaraBela NUTRI BOOSTER

25% N + 5% SO3, Na and Se - Unique compound fertiliser for use on grass based on nitrate nitrogen and sulphur coupled with selenium.

YaraMila STOCK BOOSTER S

25-5-5 +5% SO3 + Na and Se - A compound prilled NPKS fertiliser containing selenate for use on grassland to supplement selenium levels.

Where can I buy Yara fertiliser in Wales ?

Yara supply our solid and liquid fertilisers and micronutrients in Wales through a network of local suppliers Use our interactive map to locate your nearest suppliers.

Find a Welsh supplier