le 4 compares the costs of apply

Table 4 compares the costs of applying nitrogen fertilizer versus interseeding red clover. 0000008478 00000 n Online: http://overton.tamu.edu/clover/cool/need.htm (April 2, 2008). Fertilizer is one of the major annual costs of maintaining an established pasture. More plant tops means more forage production per acre. The method in which pastures will be harvested will also effect N fertilization strategy. For information about the website contact webteam@ext.msstate.edu. 1993. Nitrogen moves from the legumes to the soil through grazing livestock and legume decomposition. If your goal is to maintain legumes in your grass-legume pasture, then avoid high amounts of N, or in some cases any amount of N, since that can reduce the population of legumes in your pastures, Bosworth says. For pastures that require an application of phosphorus (P) or potassium (K), a springtime application will also help increase fall production and the nutrient value of your pasture. Difference in Cost per Acre for Interseeding Legumes ($). To avoid this expense, many producers do not test soil or fertilize their soils regularly. 0000382690 00000 n For pasture grasses, such as fescue or orchardgrass, an ideal pH ranges from 5.6-6.2. I have a little yearling filly out behind the house. H\n0 EJVb~4y N r"o?># R8w\3!LmpmLWs,O.4dU_uwicx m?%[\>{~7O2X7!9d"kWc_q1 H\j@)&=I!iI*4lE;Ni'83zfov:C{=v,rv6=S=][;jo~&{.G2_z0]lUO\flm~7^gIuPOfiVChQM9OZ lh>hiI|Gk:q8-% `Gv`!=^ Nitrogen rates in a pasture with 30 to 40 percent legume composition can range from as little as 20 pounds of nitrogen per acre per year to more than 250 pounds of nitrogen per acre per year. 0000004855 00000 n When considering N fertilization on grass pastures, decisions need to made regarding if, when, where, the source, and how much N to use. %%EOF 0000368494 00000 n 0000025989 00000 n At all N rates, a plan for efficiently use of extra forage is important. Nacross, GA. Beetz, A.E. 0000001887 00000 n Fertilizers are sold based on the percent nitrogen (N), phosphate (P) and potash (K) they contain. You can expect yields of 4 or more tons of dry matter per acre under certain conditions. Since many pastures are under-used in spring and over-used in summer, one application of 50- 75 lb N/ac in mid-June may be the most profitable in many pasture systems. The costs for interseeding legumes into the grazed pasture are less than the costs of applying nitrogen fertilizers. +~{2CXP]lxZ\qfAl2QLD,LB/AVby{Ow?7`5`pwE\difELydFJaVpC]{[_9{xaYL>0}Qkj[2,v0`lnT\?l+fQ/]V[{in5Syj7s>3fy* ,jKu8lLCkk:Ct*jWswB( b/Z52 b[MMQ3CL\tPU^/o +uy92NLnHS~sgP: Univ. 0000055299 00000 n For more information on fertilizer applications for pastures and hayfields call your local extension office or go to the following publications:http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/agr/agr1/AGR1.PDForhttps://www.uky.edu/Ag/Forage/ProfitabilitySpringHayfieldNitrogenApplications2011.pdf, Master Grazer Coordinator1205 Hopkinsville StreetPrinceton, KY 42445(270) 365-7541, Dr. Ray SmithExtension Forage SpecialistUniversity of KentuckyPhone: (859) 257-3358Fax: (859) 323-1952raysmith1@uky.edu, Dr. Donna Amaral-PhillipsExtension Dairy Cattle SpecialistUniversity of KentuckyPhone: (859) 257-7542Fax: (859) 257-7537 damaral@uky.edu, Dr. Jeff LehmkuhlerExtension Beef Cattle SpecialistUniversity of KentuckyPhone: (859) 257-2853Fax: (859) 257-3412 jeff.lehmkuhler@uky.edu, Nancy Cox, Ph.D. 0000040248 00000 n One money-saving strategy is to fertilize only those areas that have had high productivity throughout the years. The number of times a parent says the word no in a day can feel almost endless. Connect with your County Extension Office , Find an Extension employee in our staff directory , Get the latest news and updates on Extension's work around the state, Feedback, questions or accessibility issues: info@extension.wisc.edu | 2022 The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System Privacy Policy | Non-Discrimination Policy | Discrimination and Harassment Complaints | Disability Accommodation Requests | Civil Rights. Most importantly, nutrients are supplied to plants through the application of commercial fertilizer and lime. endstream endobj 39 0 obj<> endobj 40 0 obj<> endobj 41 0 obj<>stream These grasses thrive when temperatures are warm in mid-summer. For grass hayfields, apply N when plants are in an active growth phase and will uptake the most N. Ample precipitation and/or soil moisture along with cooler temperatures provide plants the best chance to respond. Farm Store 0000003302 00000 n Research / Oklahoma State Univ. 0000002760 00000 n Warm season pastures can be planted in late spring when temperatures are mild and there is no chance of frost. of nitrogen on a third of your pastures so the extra early grass will let you get cattle off hay a couple of weeks earlier. 0000370568 00000 n We teach, learn, lead and serve, connecting people with the University of Wisconsin, and engaging with them in transforming lives and communities. 0000008011 00000 n Late-summer/fall establishment of grass is often desired in the Midwest. Progressive Forage is the Forage Industry Resource for progressive hay, silage and pasture producers. 0000054280 00000 n 0000000016 00000 n The time of nitrogen fertilizer application should match the growth pattern of the forage grasses. Continuous grazing at low stocking rates encourages concentrations of animal waste around the water source and under shade trees. 0000003804 00000 n Applying N at this time can boost growth for earlier grazing, but could result in excess pasture in late May. He also suggests applying N in split applications throughout the season, with a single application of 50 pounds being the target per acre. u8"hz5qlNAa0GIl)e+)) F@"_~`2apc p,sX7o\%jwsV0bd3*jW`L`|P4A As pastures grow and forages are harvested, valuable nutrients are removed from the soil. Then nutrient management decisions are based on these test results. Additions of N fertilizer may cause a shift to more grass content in the year of application, and under poor management, fertilization increases weed competition. The best practice is to wait a few days and allow the plants to grow a little before grazing. A good legume stand can provide about $75 worth of nitrogen fertilizer at todays prices. 0000010764 00000 n N fertilizer can be a viable tool for pasture management if applied appropriately and at specific times. 65 0 obj<>stream 0000367945 00000 n 31 56 But as any parent or grown child knows, those nos are merely words of wisdom from someone who has, in a sense, been there, done that.. Pub. Forage plants only use 35 to 40 percent of nutrients provided through fertilization, which means that split applications might be more beneficial and subsequent applications are made only if needed. Agreeing with Williamson, Bosworth also points out that there is high risk for excess nitrates in soils when there is an extended dry period, followed by rain that stimulates growth. Coop. Legal | Ethics Line | Policy about commercial endorsements | DAFVM | USDA | eXtension | Legislative Update: Miss. As mentioned previously, over 80% of the N produced by the legumes will be returned to the pasture through manure and urine. When N is applied to a grass/legume mixture and the pasture is grown for hay, N fertilization tends to favor grasses over legumes. He says that N stimulates grass growth by increasing leaf growth and tillering rates, giving the grass a competitive advantage over the legume. 0000003891 00000 n If you are planning to stockpile your grass for winter grazing, applying N in early to mid-August can help accumulate growth. As with other crops, you need adequate fertilizer programs for optimum economic production. But any later than that, or for any other reasons, it could make your perennial plants susceptible to winter kill, depending on where you live. Timing for warm-season grasses should be different. It may make more sense in a grazing operation to apply fertilizer in mid- to late-June. xb```lR ac`a8vqAQ6=. If your soil results indicate a need for a lime application, early spring is an ideal time to tackle this task due to the availability of moisture and precipitation that help to break down the lime and incorporate it into the soil. Soil testing is the first step to knowing how to manage the fertility of your pastures and hayfields. %PDF-1.6 % This leaves grass pastures and hay fields deficient towards the middle through end of the growing season. As a general rule, Bosworth recommends avoiding N application if you are trying to maintain or encourage a legume species. *Annual legumes such as arrowleaf clover, crimson clover, subterranean clover, and hairy vetch may be grown with tall fescue, but they are less desirable than perennial clovers. You should know what soil pH is ideal for the type of forage species present before you apply any nutrients. Simply put, N grows plant tops (leaves). Spring Fertilization for Productive Pastures. Growing more grass does not make fertilization profitable. Ball, D.M., C.S. 0000009483 00000 n Nitrogen fertilization tends to favor grass growth. Brome-grass, orchardgrass and reed canarygrass are three major cool-season grasses grown in Minnesota. Rotational grazing creates high stocking rates in small areas, which usually helps distribute nutrients in pastures. An EEO/AA employer, University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title VI, Title IX, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act requirements. With the high cost of N, use it as a specific management tool, not a blanket treatment. These nutrients are derived from several sources including residual nutrients in the soil, the breakdown of manure and soil organic matter, and nitrogen produced by N-fixation in legumes. WQ-277. As industry experts who have been there, done that or been there, seen that, they have outlined a few things you may want to avoid in order to prevent some economic or management consequences when it comes to nitrogen (N) application in pastures. It grows 3 to 6 feet in small to large sodded clumps that spread slowly from numerous scaly creeping rhizom, Fall Seeding Grasses When taking soil samples, always be sure to take enough samples to achieve an accurate representation of your entire pasture and test your soil at the same time each year for consistency. endstream endobj 32 0 obj <>/Metadata 29 0 R/Pages 28 0 R/Type/Catalog>> endobj 33 0 obj <>/ColorSpace<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageC]/Properties<>/MC1 84 0 R>>/ExtGState<>>>/Type/Page>> endobj 34 0 obj <> endobj 35 0 obj <> endobj 36 0 obj <> endobj 37 0 obj <> endobj 38 0 obj [/Separation/Red/DeviceCMYK<>] endobj 39 0 obj [/DeviceN[/Black]/DeviceCMYK 63 0 R 65 0 R] endobj 40 0 obj <> endobj 41 0 obj <>stream In periods of limited soil moisture, delaying fertilizer application until moisture is present or imminent can also increase efficiency. Discrimination in university employment, programs, or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status protected by applicable law is prohibited. 0000002313 00000 n Extension / Take it from a couple of industry experts, who have devoted their careers to studying and improving the livelihoods of producers across the country. The total costs are $23.60 per acre. 0000314134 00000 n Fertilizing pastures with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, as well as the addition of lime can help return nutrients to the soil and increase plant productivity. 0000367272 00000 n Pasture management is a year-round task and fertilization efforts made during spring can have a positive impact on the productivity of your pasture. 0000370907 00000 n 0000368284 00000 n PSS-2590. Because this is a biological process, the rate of conversion depends on soil moisture and temperature. Organic nitrogen is not available to plants until microorganisms in the soil convert it to ammonium or nitrate. Philanthropy & Alumni 2002. Another way to think about increased forage production in summer is in animal unit months (AUMs). 0000007877 00000 n Many producers have already started planning pasture and hayfield fertilization. 86 0 obj <>stream Ext. The cost for a custom no-till drill is $20 per acre. It is more important than ever to get legumes in your pastures. 0000053588 00000 n By identifying and focusing N inputs on more productive areas, maximum benefits can be obtained while keeping costs reasonable. Rather than N fertilizer, you may need to invest in lime, P and K to enhance the legumes. Red clover and white clover are the legumes most often interseeded in Mississippi pastures. Grasses and grass mixtures, whether grown for hay or pasture, are perennial crops. With contributors including freelance writers, extension specialists and allied industry partners, the leading-edge content is balanced and promotes the best in the forage industry. Producers with many acres of pastures on relatively unfertile land are often hesitant to useN. This is understandable since the cost of fertilizing all those acres would be quite high, and the economic return may not be good. 0000003468 00000 n Who doesnt love a good game night? Forage Legumes and Nitrogen Production. Although overseeding is recommended, planting new cool season grass pastures should wait until the fall. The amount of N legumes fix varies based on species, soil conditions, water availability, and other seasonal factors (Table 3). ID-97. Remember, for every dollar spent on fertility (or any input), more than one dollar must be made in return. Not all of the nutrients in poultry litter are immediately available for plants to use. In a continuous grazing system, the effective N application is less than 1 pound of N per acre per year. 0000001879 00000 n 0000368215 00000 n articles Daniel E. Kaiser, Extension nutrient management specialist. Additionally, applyinga high rate of N in one application provides more N than a grass crop can use at one time. 0000009987 00000 n Although P, K and lime can be added anytime, nitrogen fertilizer should be applied when pastures or hayfields will have the best opportunity to have a yield response. Serv. For warm season grasses, nitrogen fertilizer should only be applied after the initial spring green up when buds and leafs begin to appear. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) is a vigorous warm season, native perennial grass adapted to Wisconsin and planted for many purposes including livestock grazing, wildlife cover, and as a biofuel crop. <]>> An increase in forage production per acre with N fertilization can be particularly beneficial to dairy producers who graze lactating animals. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839. 0 By Rocky Lemus, PhD, Extension/Research Professor, Plant and Soil Sciences. From Seed to Meat: What to Expect on Seed Markets this Fall? 0000040282 00000 n One alternative is strategic N fertilization. Lacefield, G., J. Henning, R. Burris, C. Dougherty, and C. Absher. Without irrigation, you can expect yields of 2 tons per acre when grasses are grown on sandy soils where moisture is usually limited. 0000366180 00000 n Table 5 is the same information, but attempts to more closely simulate a grazing situation. In a continuous grazing system, about 2 to 5 percent of the pasture may be affected by cattle urine in a single grazing season. It may not be an option for every operation, but applying it correctly can certainly boost productivity and reduce the risk of nitrate accumulation, wasted forage and decreased profitability. Soils should be tested by a lab which can make fertility recommendations for your soil and climate. Agriculture dealers will always make custom blends depending on your needs. 55pa"/*b.XZ&9)5v. Ext. GARY B. JACKSON, Director. 0000042045 00000 n Therefore, fertilizing to grow more forage in the spring and letting get that forage get mature and rank is not profitable. Vetch, Lespedeza, and other annual forage legumes. All Rights Reserved. For pastures that require the addition of P or K, a spring application will encourage an increase in late summer production, providing a valuable and cost effective food source for your livestock. 0000004168 00000 n Nitrogen management should be different on grass pastures used for hay as opposed to when the pasture is grazed. /$ {C^F# ;I:b The expected yield will vary with such factors as intended use, management intensityand soil texture. All rights reserved. If you intensively manage pastures rather than continuously graze them, you can reduce recommended nitrogen rates by 20 percent for the same yield goal. 0000004591 00000 n 0000008704 00000 n Staff photo. 0000004478 00000 n 0000003528 00000 n 0000002401 00000 n Bosworth recommends that N should be applied just after grazing or clipping to get the full utilization of N before it is grazed again.

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