Fertility Central: Best Cost Options

and Recommendations

for Different Forages

Brian ClarkPrince Georges County

Extension Agent

Ben BealeSt. Mary’s County Extension Agent

Charts and Nutrient Recommendation supplied by

Adam Lyon, Nutrient Management Advisor, St. Mary’s Co.

Some slides and pictures adapted from:Dave Myers

Anne Arundel Extension Agent

Dave Myers

Ben Beale

Why worry about fertility?

Why worry about fertility?

• Horses need roughage to maintain digestive tract function.• Roughage comes from hay and pasture.• Quality pasture depends on good management and fertility

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

In order to grow to their fullest potential, plants need a total of 16 nutrients.

A deficiency of any one of these nutrients will result in reduced plant performance.

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.

2 2.5 3 3.5 40.0

20.0

40.0

60.0

80.0

100.0

120.0

140.0

160.0

180.0

200.0

50.065.0 70.0

85.0100.0

25.0

30.040.0

45.0

50.0

25.0

30.0

40.0

45.0

50.0

Pounds per Year of Nitrogen Required to Achieve Differing Orchardgrass Yields

Yield Goal (Tons/Acre)

LBS

Nit

roge

n/A

cre/

Yea

r

Nitrogen Required to Achieve Average Yield

Orchard

grass

(3 t/

a)

Timoth

y (3 t/

a)

Mill

et (5 t/

a)

Sudangrass

(5 t/

a)

Sorghum

-Sudan (5 t/

a)

Teff (3

t/a)

Tall Fesc

ue (3 t/

a)

Reed Canarygra

ss (3

t/a)

Lespedeza (3

t/a)

Alfalfa

(5 t/

a)0

20406080

100120140160180200

150

180

150 150 150 150 150 150

0 0

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 1100

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

150

114

78

53

37

20 20 20 20 20 20

0

Phosphorus (P) Recommendation (lbs/acre) as a function of Soil Fertility Level (FIV-K) for Orchardgrass (3.0 tons/acre yield goal)

FIV-P

LBS

P20

5/A

cre

Optimum (51-100)

Excessive (>100)Low (0-

25)

Medium (26-50)

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 1100

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

200200

164

128

100

75

5044

3832

2620

0

Potash (K) Recommendation (lbs/acre) as a function of Soil Fertility Level (FIV-K) for Orchardgrass (3.0 tons/acre yield

goal)

FIV-K

LBS

K20

/Acr

e

Optimum (51-100)

Excessive (>100)Low (0-

25)

Medium (26-50)

Good recommendations depend on good soil samples

UMD-AGNR Photo Archive; http://www.photos.umd.edu

Soil Sampling Procedures for Nutrient Management

1. Define the Management Areas. A management area is an area that can and will be

managed separately from any other. Areas with differing soil types, past cropping histories,

differing manure histories, or production potentials should be managed separately.

EXAMPLE: Corn Field

4.0 tons of Poultry Litter/Acre applied

Same crop, but didn’t have enough litter!

Now we have 2 different fields that should to be sampled differently!

Soil Sampling Procedures for Nutrient Management

2. Sample the management areas. Collect 15 to 20 samples (cores) with a soil probe and place in a clean

plastic bucket. Take samples from throughout the entire management area. Avoid sampling unusual areas such as windbreaks, fence lines, wet areas,

or near roads. (These areas could misrepresent nutrient values.) Scrape away any surface residues. (Grass, rocks, crop residue) Take samples at the proper depth of 8 inches for crop and pasture land.

Soil Sampling Procedures for Nutrient Management

3. Mix the sample.• Thorough mixing is essential.• If the sample is hard or strongly aggregated, break it up.• Transfer the soil to a bucket and mix it at least 50 times.• Spread the soil out, take 5 different scoops, totaling about 1 pint.• Place into soil sample bag, unless you need to……….

4. Dry the sample.• Spread the sample out in a warm

place overnight to air dry it.• Newspaper or paper plate is fine.• Do not heat the soil. This will

alter results!

Soil Sampling Procedures for Nutrient Management

5. Label the sample bag and fill it with the soil.

6. Fill out the information sheet

There are numerous labs that test soil for nutrients. (See our list of different labs and pricing.)

University of Maryland no longer has a soil testing lab.

Labs are capable of testing for Macro and Micronutrients.

A Basic Test will give you pH, O.M., P, K, Mg, Ca

There is no reliable test for Nitrate (or Nitrogen).

Maryland Fertility Index Value ScaleSoil Test

Fertility Index Value (FIV)Soil Test Category Likelihood of Yield

Response

0 – 25 Low Likely

26 – 50 Medium Possible

51 – 100 Optimum Unlikely

>100 Excessive Very Unlikely

Fertilizer Options?Fertility Inputs for Forages

Manure

Bio-SolidsCommercial Fertilizer

Legumes

Commercial Fertilizer• Advantages:

– Readily available– Easy to spread– Can apply exactly the amount needed for crop

growth– Nutrients typically available immediately

Commercial Fertilizer• Disadvantages

– Can be Expensive– Nutrients typically available immediately-

leaching– Doesn’t come with any organic matter

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

Commercial Fertilizer: Types and Costs for Bulk Blends Components:

Analysis Price per Ton N P KNitrogenAmmonium Sulfate 21-0-0 24S 245.00$ 0.58$ Urea 46-0-0 425.00$ 0.46$

PhosphateDAP 18-46-0 500.00$ 0.46$ 0.36$ MAP 11-52-0 510.00$ 0.46$ 0.39$ Triple Super P 0-46-0 510.00$ 0.55$

PotashMuriate of Potash 0-0-60 460.00$ 0.38$

Comparing Nutrient Prices within Types of Fertilizers

$0.00

$0.10

$0.20

$0.30

$0.40

$0.50

$0.60

$0.70

$0.58

$0.46 $0.46 $0.46

$0.36$0.39

$0.55

$0.38 N P

K

Cost

per

Pou

nd

Ag-Gro-Pro 5-10-15 50 lbs.

This bag contains: 5% nitrogen--10%

phosphate--15% potash or 2.5 lbs. nitrogen

5 lbs. phosphate

7.5 lbs. potash

What does a fertilizer guarantee mean?

Using fixed analysis bagged fertilizer

• Example of 10-10-10• $350.00 per Ton• $8.75 per bag

• To meet 150 lb. Nitrogen recommendation will need: 1500 lbs of 10-10-10 fertilizer, for a total cost of $262.50

• Also get 150 lbs of P and 150 of K.

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 1100

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

150

114

78

53

37

20 20 20 20 20 20

0

Phosphorus (P) Recommendation (lbs/acre) as a function of Soil Fertility Level (FIV-K) for Orchardgrass (3.0 tons/acre yield goal)

FIV-P

LBS

P20

5/A

cre

Optimum (51-100)

Excessive (>100)Low (0-

25)

Medium (26-50)

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 1100

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

200200

164

128

100

75

5044

3832

2620

0

Potash (K) Recommendation (lbs/acre) as a function of Soil Fertility Level (FIV-K) for Orchardgrass (3.0 tons/acre yield

goal)

FIV-K

LBS

K20

/Acr

e

Optimum (51-100)

Excessive (>100)Low (0-

25)

Medium (26-50)

Using fixed analysis bagged fertilizer: 10-10-10

• Total cost of 262.50 per acre• Typically you will over apply the amount of

P and K you really need.• For example:

– If soil test reveals you only need 50 lbs of P and 75 lbs of K, you over apply 100 lb of P and 75 lbs of K

– This will cost you around $55.00 extra.

Poultry Litter

UMD-AGNR Photo Archive; http://www.photos.umd.edu

2 2.5 3 3.5 40.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

1.62.1 2.2

2.73.2

0.8

1.01.3

1.4

1.6

0.8

1.0

1.3

1.4

1.6

Perdue Poultry Litter Required (tons/acre) to Achieve Total Ni-trogen Requirement for Differing Orchardgrass Yields (tons/acre)

Yield Goal (Tons/Acre)

Po

ult

ry L

itte

r R

equ

ired

(T

on

s/A

cre)

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.

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

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

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.

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

Applying Poultry Litter to meet N needs will oversupply P

1 2 3 4 50

50

100

150

200

250

300

50

100

150

200

250

20 20 20 20 20

Tons of Poultry Litter Applied per Acre

Lbs

of P

Ap

pli

ed

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).

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

Orchardgrass Fertilization BudgetPoultry Litter

Scenario: Soil test results: K-medium, P-medium; Yield Goal -3 tons

Unit lbs/Acre Total $/Acre Broiler Litter 5 tons/A @ 35.00/ton 175.00

(No MDA cost share) Nitrogen 160 (150*) (amount negligible) 0.00Phosphorus 250 (20*) 0.00Potassium 250 (100*) 0.00

Manure & Fertilizer Costs 175.00Manure/Fertilizer Application Costs:Manure spreading 5 ton/acre 25.00 Stock pile Maintenance 10.00

Manure Application Costs 35.00Manure Fertilization Grand Total $210.00 Acre

(*) Amount required to supply N

 

 

Beef/Dairy/Swine Manure

UMD-AGNR Photo Archive; http://www.photos.umd.edu

Distribution of Available Nitrogen from Organic & Ammonium Nitrogen Components in a Typical

Dairy Manure (assumes incorporation the same day as application)

Unavailable am-monium nitrogen

Available ammonium nitrogen

Available organic nitrogen

Unavailable organic nitrogen

2.4 lb

3 lb

6 lb

0.6 lb

Average Manure Analysis 1989-1997

Available Stockpile Lagoon Nutrient lbs/ton lbs/1000gal N 3.0 0.24 P 7.0 1.34 K 16.0 5.02 Ca 8.0 1.13 Mg 3.0 0.69 S 1.5 0.05 Mn 0.08 0.004 Zn 0.05 0.002 Cu 0.02 0.003

USNAD, Gambrills MD: No-Tillage System

Tall Fescue Fertilization BudgetDairy/Beef Manure

Scenario: Soil test results: K-medium, P-medium; Yield Goal -5 tons

Unit lbs/Acre Total $/AcreManure (on-farm) 15 tons/acre 0.00Nitrogen 45 (150) 105 lbs @ .46/lb 48.30Phosphorus 105 (40) 0.00Potassium 240 (100) 0.00

Manure & Fertilizer Costs 48.30 Manure/Fertilizer Application Costs:Manure cleanout 1.00/ton 15.00Manure spreading 15 ton/acre 22.00 Fertilizer spreading 12.00

Manure Application Costs 49.00Manure Fertilization Grand Total $97.30/Acre

(*) Amount required

 

 

Alfalfa Fertilization BudgetDairy/Beef Manure

Scenario: Soil test results: K-medium, P-medium; Yield Goal -6 tons

Unit lbs/Acre Total $/AcreManure (on-farm) 15 tons/acre 0.00Nitrogen 45 (0) 0.00Phosphorus 105 (80) 0.00Potassium 240 (250) 0.00

Manure & Fertilizer Costs 0.00 Manure/Fertilizer Application Costs:Manure cleanout 1.00/ton 15.00Manure spreading 15 ton/acre 22.00 Fertilizer spreading 0

Manure Application Costs 37.00Manure Fertilization Grand Total $37.00 Acre

(*) Amount required

 

 

Granulite 5-3-0• Use is similar to fertilizer. Dehydrated bio-

solid product.• Analysis of 5-3-0

– Mineralization rate of 50%• Contact: Cullin’s Lime for more info in St.

Mary’s• Advantages

– In-expensive, easy to spread, readily available in Baltimore.

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

2 2.5 3 3.5 40.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

4.0

4.5

5.0

1.11.4 1.5

1.82.1

0.5

0.60.9

1.0

1.1

0.5

0.6

0.9

1.0

1.1

Sludge Pellets (5-3-0) Required (tons/acre) to Achieve Total Ni-trogen Requirement for Differing Orchardgrass Yields (tons/acre)

Yield Goal (Tons/Acre)

Slu

dge

Pel

lets

Req

uir

ed (

To

ns/

Acr

e)

Total Amount of Nutrients Supplied at Different Rates of Granulite (5-3-0)

1 2 3 4 50

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

47

94

141

188

235

60

120

180

240

300

N P

K

Tons of Sludge Pellets Applied

LBS

of N

utri

ent S

uppl

ied

at G

iven

Rat

e

Granulite 5-3-0

Analysis Price per Ton N P KGranulite Pellets 5-3-0- 24 0.15 0.15

Liming Cost

Liming Cost

• Rule 1: Lime cost less than fertilizer.– Keep field pH in desirable ranges, especially

for alfalfa.

Cool Season Grasses: Most Legumes:Alfalfa:Annuals:

Domino’s 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 RatesDelivery Miles Charge/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 LimeMoisture 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 Mesh 98.0% 100.00%Pass 60 Mesh 80.0% 99.72%Pass 100 Mesh 56.0% 99.66%

Spreading Equipment• Broadcast Applications of

Fertilizer, Pelletized Lime & Seed

• Drop spreaders for application of pulverized lime and fertilizer

• Even Distribution of Crop Inputs

• Width of Spread Via: Visual Reference and capability of spreader

Evenly Spread Lime Application

In Summary:

UMD-AGNR Photo Archive; http://www.photos.umd.edu

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.

In Summary: Stop by and see your Nutrient Management Advisor!!!!!!

In Summary:• 1) Important to get

things in the right place

In Summary:• 2) Take good soil

test. Operate with good information. Do not apply nutrients you do not need.

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.

Ben Beale301 475 4481bbeale@umd.edu

Brian Clark301-868-8780bpclark@umd.edu

“Any Questions?”