Easy steps to fertilizing summer grass pastures

Producers who pay close attention to soil fertility fundamentals will help ensure the desirable forage production and nutritive value, a management tool that is especially important with introduced forages.

“Lack of attention can easily necessitate increased purchase of off-farm feed and forage, decreased animal performance and reduced level of profitability of a forage-livestock enterprise,” says Brian Arnall, Oklahoma State University assistant professor of plant and soil sciences.

The proper order for proper warm-season grass fertilization is as follows:

● Conduct a soil test.
● Lime as recommended.
● Apply phosphorus and potassium as recommended.
● Identify a reasonable yield goal.
● Apply nitrogen fertilizer ahead of moisture based on yield goals.

“Remember, by default, producers who use introduced forages have decided to provide the necessary fertility inputs,” Redfearn notes.

More information.

Source: Oklahoma State University

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