fertilizer application ?

Flurette Farm · Jan 4, 2010

I have always taken soil samples every other year and used the same application (recommended) for two years and lime as/when recommended.
I try to apply lime in the fall and fertilizer in late February hoping to get a couple light snows on the application. The last couple years I don’t feel I’m getting much benefit of the nitrogen (among others) I’ve been investing in. Am I doing something wrong here?
I hate to blame the local MFA for shorting the application without knowing what may be taking place.
I’m located in So.Central Missouri and this is on brome/alfalfa and orchard grass/clover fields.

paul · Jan 4, 2010

Good alfalfa & clover that is a year or more old will be supplying a lot of N to your mixed grass crops. Depending on the mix, I'm surprised if you need any N?

I can plow up an alfalfa field, plant corn the next year, and get great corn with no N applied - enough left from the alfalfa build up.

'Here' they don't bother testing for N, as it is so unstable you don't get good enough results. I understand in other areas they do test for N. While ithe test might say you need some, are you giving credit to the legumes that are producing it over the year for you?

--->Paul

kyplowboy · Jan 5, 2010

As Paul said a good stand of legumes will provide most of the N a sod crop needs.

Here in West KY the best time to put N on is a little later than when you are doing it. Non organic N does not stay in the soil very well and will leach out with rain. What is put on in Feb can wash out when you have great deal of rain in March before green up. The plant can't use it when it ain't growing and can't use it when the N is in the creek.

P and K are held much better in the soil and can be put on in the fall and still be there working in the spring.

Another thing is you might want to try take'n a bigger sample, split'n it and send it to two labs. I know here in KY if you just use the UK lab you will go broke long before you put on every thing they say you need. (I have never seen a UK test not say you need lime, even if core was taken where the lime truck dumped a pile last year, kinda makes you wander whose pocket they have their hand in)

Dave

Flurette Farm · Jan 5, 2010

Thanks for the comments guys. I think you are right and I may be putting it down a little early. This year I'll wait until late March and see if its more effective.
The reason I was putting it down early is because of wet fields in March/April.
The reason I put on N is because I don't think my alfalfa and clover stand is good enough to provide what is needed. Thanks again.

fertilizer application ?

Flurette Farm

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paul

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kyplowboy

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Flurette Farm

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