Marion Barnes, Senior County Extension Agent
If you are trying to get a grip on your hay production cost, you likely have realized that one of the largest production costs is tied to fertilization. As input costs increase, it’s entirely logical to look for ways to reduce fertilizer cost. However, if the reduction in fertilizer results in reduced yield, (i.e. less fertilizer often equals lower yields), then the cost of the forage per ton (or pound) can actually go up! So how does one reduce forage production expenses without compromising yield? Consider the following tips to help reduce fertilizer cost or at least make your investment in fertilizer more efficient.
- Soil test and follow fertility recommendations- Well managed hay fields use more nutrients than many other commercial crops and large amounts of nutrients are removed from the soil with each ton of forage produced.If one does not soil sample and apply fertilizer and lime based on the results of these test, it’s likely you are either over or under applying nutrients. Either way you may be wasting your money. Few other practices in the hay production enterprise can improve profitability more than soil testing and following fertility recommendations.
- Do not neglect your soil pH- Keeping an optimum soil pH will ensure that soil tilth is maintained, root development is encouraged and most importantly the nutrients in the soil are freely available to the plants. If the soil pH drops much below or drifts above optimum levels the availability of some nutrients in the soil will decrease and other nutrients can reach toxic levels. This can result in a major waste of one’s fertilizer nutrients. Correcting soil pH is one of the most cost-effective ways to improve nutrient availability in crop production and have benefits far beyond just one year.
- Avoid use of standard blends- Standard fertilizer blends such as 10-10-10 or 17-17-17 are commonly available by many producers. Unfortunately, these blends are usually much more expensive than custom mixed fertilizer products which can be tailored to meet the needs of the individual field or site. In the real world of soil fertility, plants rarely require equal quantities of N, P, & K. Over time the repeated use of standard blends such as “triple-10” or “triple-17” can lead to nutrient imbalances. Since nutrients like P tend to be immobile in the soil, excessive levels can cause “nutrient antagonism” and interfere with other nutrient uptake by plants.
- Split your nitrogen applications-Fertilizer recommendations are given as totals for the season. For some nutrients such as phosphorus and lime the entire amount can be applied at one time with little economical or environmental risk. However, high rates of nitrogen application at the beginning of the growing season can result in unnecessary loss. This can be especially risky when conditions for leaching, volatilization, late frost or drought occur. Splitting your nitrogen application also reduces the risk of nitrate toxicity. Furthermore, research has shown that forage yields can be increased by 5 to 10% and nitrogen use efficiency can be as much as 25 to 30 percent higher when nitrogen fertilizer applications are evenly split during the growing season.
Split your potassium application- As compared to nitrogen, the environmental risk posed by potassium is low. However, since potassium is expensive, care should be taken to ensure it is used efficiently. The biggest potential for inefficient use of potassium is a phenomenon called “luxury consumption”. Most plants, especially forage crops, will take up more potassium than is required for optimum growth if it is readily available in the soil. Therefore, if large rates of potassium are applied early in the growing season, forage crops will absorb excess potassium and reduce the amount available for later growth cycles. Due to the potential for luxury consumption, it is recommended that potassium applications be split across two or more application times, especially on sandy soil types. This will lower the risk of luxury consumption and leaching, allowing for more efficient use of your potassium fertilizer during the growing season.
As you plan your fertilization program for the upcoming growing season look for ways to reduce cost while maintaining your production levels and yield goals. For more information on hay & forage production contact your local Clemson Extension Agent Information for this article was taken in part from “Fertilization Strategies for Hay Production” by Dennis Hancock, University of Georgia Forage Specialist.
