Fertilization Strategies For Hay Producers

Glen HarrisUGA-Tifton

Basics of Soil Fertility for Forages

• Soil Testing

• pH and Liming

• Nitrogen Management

• Potassium

• 4-1-2 (?)

70%

8%

3%

3%

15% 2%

1%

Fertilizer Fuel & RepairsInterest on Var. Costs PesticidesLabor Fixed & Mgmt CostsLime

Hay Production – 2008Cost Breakdown – C. Lacy

Dealing With High Fertilizer Prices

• Soil Testing • Lime to Proper pH• Fertilizer Placement• Fertilizer Application Timing

(esp. “Split” N Applications)• Tissue Testing• Fertilizer “Form” (e.g. organic, UAN, EE)

(34-0-0)

2000 lb x .34 = 680 lb N/ton

590(87)

250(37)397(58)

(46-0-0)

2000 x 0.46 = 920 lb N/ton

700(76)

310(34)403(44)

(32-0-0)

2000 x 0.32 = 640 lb N/ton

515(80)

200(31)280 (44)

2000 x 0.46 = 920 lb P2O5/ton

2000 x 0.18 = 360 lb N/ton

1200(99)

410(25)300(19)

(0-0-60)

2000 x 0.6 = 1200 lb K2O/ton

970(81)

225(19)

858(72)

A Fertilization Trick (by D. Hancock)Avoid the Use of Standard Blends

Fertilizer Strategy Price, $/acre

- Product Usedlbs of

product/acre

Blended Fertilizer $367.65- 17-17-17 1471 $367.65

Mixed Fertilizer $263.69

- Urea (46-0-0) 488 $85.43 - DAP (18-46-0) 141 $28.26 - Potash (0-0-60) 375 $150.00

Poultry Litter $164.00- 3-3-2 8000 $120.00 - Potash 110 $44.00

Target Fertilizer Rate: 250-65-225 (Assumes Medium Soil Test Level P & K)

Cultural (or Accelerated) Eutrophication

The Value of 1 Ton of Chicken Litter

January 2009 Prices (Tifton)• 60#N x .50 x .6 = 18.00• 60#P2O5 x . 25 x .8 = 12.00• 40#K2O x . 75 x .8 = 24.00

»Total = $ 54.00

Other Nutrients ?Organic Matter ?Liming ?Nematode Suppression ?

SoilTestingIs Key !

Source: Foth and EllisSoil Fertility

Why Lime?

Nutrient AvailabilityNutrient UnavailabilityProvide Ca and MgNitrogen FixationBiological Activity

Factors Affecting pH:* Weather (rainfall)* Soil Type* Organic Matter* Tillage & Depth* Nitrogen Fertilizer* Lime* Spatial Variability* Salt

Tons of Calcitic and Dolomitic LimeTons of Calcitic and Dolomitic LimeSold in Georgia (2001-08)Sold in Georgia (2001-08)

463

54

603

59

411

48

682

149

689

68

598

164

544

160

511

260

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08

Dolomitic

Calcitic

63%

Deficiency Weeds

Winterkill Loss of Stand

50-10-40 lb. N-P2O5-K2O per ton

Exports

Hay Removes A Lot of Nutrients

* calves* beef

* fertilizer* manure* legumes (N)* feed

Inputs ExportsNutrient Cycle

Pastures Recycle Nutrients

Bermuda hay 8 tons 400-80-300

Corn grain 120 bu 115-47-32 Corn silage 16 tons 160-67-160

Peanuts 2 tons + vines

240-39-185

Wheat grain 60 bu 70-33-20 grain+straw 60 bu

100-40-122

Fescue pasture 300 lb. beef 9-7-1

Bahia pasture 200 lb. beef 6-5-1

Crop Yield N-P2O5-K2O

Nutrient Removal

Nitrogen Sources

• Ammonium Nitrate

• Urea

• UAN Solutions

• Ammonium Sulfate

• Anhydrous Ammonia

• Chicken Litter

“Enhanced Efficiency (EE)” FertilizersNew Term Coined by The Fertilizer Institute (TFI)

Slow/Controlled ReleaseAbsorbedCoatedOccludedReacted

Stabilized/AdditiveNitrification InhibitorsUrease InhibitorsStabilizers

Association of American Plant Food Control Officials (AAPFCO)

“…products that minimize the potential of nutrient loss to the environment.”

CoRoN

Urease Inhibitors: Agrotain

Urease Inhibitor + Nitrification Inhibitor:Agrotain Plus, Agrotain Super U (Nutrisphere-N, Excelis ?)

Current Feeling About EEs

• EEs not a “Silver Bullet”

• Some Will Play a Role

• Depends on the Product

• Depends on Nutrient and Response

• Many Need Further Testing

• Based on Research Data in Georgia Agrotain Only One Recommended at this Time

“Take Home” Points

• Soil Testing Is The Key

• Check Fertilizer Prices

• Don’t Forget Lime and Potassium

• Hay Removes A Lot Of Nutrients

• Chicken Litter Can Be Good Fertilizer

• Consider Enhanced Efficiency fertilizers