As Victorian graziers look for ways to maximise pasture growth while maintaining soil health, foliar nitrogen (N) application is emerging as a highly efficient tactical alternative to traditional granular fertiliser spreading. When combined with Balance & Grow^®, a premium biostimulant, foliar N can significantly improve nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and promote healthier clover stands—key to sustainable pasture systems.

Why Foliar Nitrogen? Higher Efficiency, Better Pasture Performance?

Applying nitrogen as a foliar spray (dissolved in water) offers several advantages over conventional granular N fertilisers:

✅  Higher Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) – Foliar-applied N is absorbed directly through leaf tissue, reducing losses from volatilisation, leaching, and denitrification. Studies show foliar N can achieve up to 90% uptake efficiency, compared to 30-50% for granular urea.

✅  Gentler on Clover– Traditional high-rate N fertilisers can suppress clover growth by favouring competitive grasses. Foliar N, applied at lower rates with a biostimulant, supports balanced pasture growth, allowing clover to thrive.

✅  Faster Pasture Response – Sprayed N is rapidly absorbed, providing a quick green-up within days, whereas granular N must dissolve and enter the soil first via nitrification.

✅  Lower Application Rates, Better ROI – Because foliar N is more efficient, graziers can use less product per hectare while achieving similar or better growth responses compared to broadcast urea.

 from BioAgEnhancing Foliar N with Balance & Grow

Balance & Grow is a natural biostimulant that complements foliar N by:

• Boosting plant metabolism – Enhances nutrient uptake and photosynthesis.

• Strengthening root growth – Improves soil nitrogen fixation in clover.

• Reducing stress – Helps pastures cope with temperature fluctuations and moisture stress.

By adding Balance & Grow to foliar N sprays, graziers can further increase NUE, support clover persistence, and improve pasture resilience—key for both new and established pastures.

When to Use Foliar N + Biostimulant?

✅  Established pastures – Quick top-ups without clover damage.

✅  Drought recovery – Fast-acting N for stressed pastures.

✅  Pre- or post-grazing – Enhances regrowth efficiency.

When to Use Granular N?

✅  New pasture establishment – Bulk application for initial growth.

Final Thoughts: A Balanced Approach for Victorian Graziers

Foliar nitrogen, especially when paired with Balance & Grow, offers Victorian graziers a more efficient, clover-friendly, and cost-effective way to boost pasture productivity. While granular N still has its place in broadacre applications, sprayed N provides precision, speed, and better nutrient stewardship—helping farmers build resilient, high-performing pastures in a sustainable way.

Interested in trialling foliar N + Biostimulants? Contact your local agronomist to learn more about Balance & Grow and how it can enhance your pasture program.

Happy grazing from BioAg!