Fertility Central: Best Cost Options and Recommendations for Different Forages Brian Clark Prince...
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Fertility Central: Best Cost Options and Recommendations for Different Forages Brian Clark Prince Georges County Extension Agent Ben Beale St. Mary’s County
Fertility Central: Best Cost Options and Recommendations for
Different Forages Brian Clark Prince Georges County Extension Agent
Ben Beale St. Marys County Extension Agent Charts and Nutrient
Recommendation supplied by Adam Lyon, Nutrient Management Advisor,
St. Marys Co. Some slides and pictures adapted from: Dave Myers
Anne Arundel Extension Agent Dave Myers Ben Beale
Slide 2
Why worry about fertility?
Slide 3
Slide 4
Presentation Objectives Review basic fertility needs of forage
crops Basis for recommendations Differences in legume v/s grass,
yields, etc Review the commonly available nutrient sources
Understand the advantages and disadvantages of each Understand the
cost per acre using these nutrients
Slide 5
Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium, and Magnesium Recommendations
Based on pre-plant soil tests and yield goal The lower the soil
test value, the higher the nutrient recommendation Nitrogen
Recommendations Nitrogen recommendations are based on crop and
yield goals.
Slide 6
Forage Recommendations Nitrogen recommendations are based on
crop and yield goals.
Slide 7
Nitrogen Required to Achieve Average Yield
Slide 8
Slide 9
Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium, and Magnesium Recommendations
Based on pre-plant soil tests and yield goal The lower the soil
test value, the higher the nutrient recommendation
Slide 10
Optimum (51-100) Excessive (>100) Low (0-25) Medium
(26-50)
Slide 11
Optimum (51-100) Excessive (>100) Low (0-25) Medium
(26-50)
Slide 12
Optimum (51-100) Excessive (>100) Low (0-25) Medium
(26-50)
Slide 13
Optimum (51-100) Excessive (>100) Low (0-25) Medium
(26-50)
Slide 14
Good recommendations depend on good soil samples UMD-AGNR Photo
Archive; http://www.photos.umd.edu
Commercial Fertilizer Advantages: Readily available Easy to
spread Can apply exactly the amount needed for crop growth
Nutrients typically available immediately
Slide 17
Commercial Fertilizer Disadvantages Can be Expensive Nutrients
typically available immediately- leaching Doesnt come with any
organic matter
Slide 18
Commercial Fertilizer Best Management Practices Soil Test on a
regular basis. Split apply Nitrogen according to crop growth needs
Be aware of N loss pathways Urea-volatilizes quickly. Losses can
exceed 50% Apply shortly before a soaking rain to an established
sod, if possible. Calibrate spreader and tractor driver
Slide 19
Commercial Fertilizer: Types and Costs
Slide 20
Comparing Nutrient Prices within Types of Fertilizers
Average Poultry Litter Not incorporated, applied in three split
applications. Cost-share program not currently available. However,
poultry litter does seem to be more available than last year.
Slide 24
Average Poultry Litter The availability of Nitrogen from
Poultry Litter is dependent upon: Mineralization rate Year 1: 50%
Year 2: 15% Year 3: 8% Temperature Average analysis for Perdue
Poultry Litter: 3.0% N (0.3% Ammonium) 2.5% P 2.5% K
Slide 25
Figure 2- 4a. Distribution of available nitrogen from organic
and ammonium nitrogen components in a typical broiler litter This
litter contains 60 pounds of total nitrogen and 36 pounds of
available nitrogen per ton. 16 lb 20 lb 4 lb 20 lb
Slide 26
Average Poultry Litter Poultry Litter will be available over a
long period of time- at least 3 years. 1 ton of poultry litter in
first year (No incorporation) will give: 31 lbs N 50 lbs P 50 lbs K
Per 1.0 ton of Poultry Litter, N mineralized: First Year: 31 lbs
Second Year: 10 lbs Third Year: 5 lbs
Slide 27
Poultry Litter Cost Average Rate, including transportation from
the shore is $35.00 per ton. If using Poultry Litter to only supply
Nitrogen, it is a relatively expensive. 1 ton, broadcast and not
incorporated supplies 31 pounds of Nitrogen. Thus, 1 lb of N from
PL costs about $1.10 This approach discounts the value any other
nutrients (P and K) supplied.
Slide 28
Poultry Litter Cost If using Poultry Litter to only supply
Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potash on deficient soils, it becomes
more of a value. 1 ton, broadcast and not incorporated supplies 31
pounds of N, 50 lbs P and 50 lbs K. Thus, the cost to replace the
entire nutrient value of poultry litter with fertilizer is:
$51.26
Slide 29
Applying Poultry Litter to meet N needs will oversupply P Blue
bar indicates the Phosphorus needed per acre to achieve a 3.0
ton/acre yield goal for Orchardgrass given a Fertility level
(FIV-P) of Optimum (51).
Slide 30
Strategies for Poultry Litter Strategy One: Use poultry litter
as the first split application to meet any P and K needs. As need
for P and K diminishes, turn to commercial fertilizer to fill the
rest of the yearly nitrogen needs. Strategy Two: Use poultry litter
every other year on soils testing optimal or above. Monitor P soil
levels with regular soil test
Distribution of Available Nitrogen from Organic & Ammonium
Nitrogen Components in a Typical Dairy Manure (assumes
incorporation the same day as application) 2.4 lb 3 lb 6 lb 0.6
lb
Slide 34
Average Manure Analysis 1989-1997 AvailableStockpile Lagoon
Nutrient lbs/ton lbs/1000gal N 3.00.24 P 7.01.34 K 16.05.02 Ca
8.01.13 Mg 3.00.69 S 1.50.05 Mn 0.080.004 Zn 0.050.002 Cu 0.020.003
USNAD, Gambrills MD: No-Tillage System
Granulite 5-3-0 Use is similar to fertilizer. Dehydrated bio-
solid product. Analysis of 5-3-0 Mineralization rate of 50%
Contact: Cullins Lime for more info in St. Marys Advantages
In-expensive, easy to spread, readily available in Baltimore.
Slide 39
Granulite 5-3-0 Advantages In-expensive, easy to spread,
readily available in Baltimore or from local suppliers
Dis-advanatages: Organic material which must mineralize- nutrients
may not be available immediately Slight odor, though not bad
Bio-solid type product may be an issue with some landowners
Slide 40
Slide 41
Total Amount of Nutrients Supplied at Different Rates of
Granulite (5-3-0)
Slide 42
Granulite 5-3-0
Slide 43
Liming Cost
Slide 44
Rule 1: Lime cost less than fertilizer. Keep field pH in
desirable ranges, especially for alfalfa. Cool Season Grasses: Most
Legumes: Alfalfa: Annuals:
Slide 45
Dominos Lime May offer a good value compared to conventional
lime. By product of Domino Sugar refinement process located in
Baltimore, MD Domino Lime may be obtained directly by contacting
Tom Reilly, Eastern Materials Inc. at 410 365-6839 or 410-439-1811.
2007 Rates Delivery MilesCharge/Ton Delivered 0-50$ 5.68 51-70$
7.30 71-90$ 8.92 91-110$10.55 111-130$12.17 131-149$13.80
>150$15.42 and up Genstar Aglime Domino Lime Moisture 5.0% --
CaO (calcium oxide) 51.0% 47.24% MgO (magnesium oxide) 1.0% 0.70%
CaCO3 Equivalent (CCE) 93.0% 80.09% Pass 20 Mesh98.0% 100.00% Pass
60 Mesh80.0% 99.72% Pass 100 Mesh 56.0% 99.66%
Slide 46
In Summary: UMD-AGNR Photo Archive;
http://www.photos.umd.edu
Slide 47
In Summary: General Recommendations Take soil test on a regular
basis. Always split apply N regardless of source Balance specific
field fertility needs with the crop and nutrient source Try to
avoid nutrient loss from leaching, volatilization, etc. Add legumes
to grass stands to supply some or all of N needs.
Slide 48
In Summary: Stop by and see your Nutrient Management
Advisor!!!!!!
Slide 49
In Summary: 1) Important to get things in the right place
Alfalfa requires high K Poultry Litter, Manure Grasses require high
N Sludge, Manure
Slide 50
In Summary: 2) Take good soil test. Operate with good
information. Do not apply nutrients you do not need.
Slide 51
In Summary: 3) Explore you Options. Manure, bio-solids, poultry
litter, dehydrated sludge and fertilizer may or may not be a good
fit depending upon your operation.
Slide 52
Any Questions? This man knows what he is smelling about! (Dr.
Les Vough Pictured) University of Maryland Extension Ben Beale 301
475 4481 [email protected] Brian Clark [email protected]