WOOSTER, Ohio When it comes to growing grass for hay production or tor pasture, soil fertility often takes a back seat to nutrient management for other field crops. Ohio State University soil specialist Maurice Watson said that knowing and main taining correct soil pH and nutrient concentrations before seed planting and after establishment is important for obtaining maximum yields. “Many times soil fer tility is ignored for grass pas ture and grass forage production when compared to many of the cash crops,” said Watson. “To get maxi mum grass forage produc tion, the status of the soil’s fertility should be known and adjusted if necessary.” Wmjm&vmm ’> , "* ’ '-•-Sr-' - - s ~ *vi n rT ; '- * ii s ‘ ji{ £"**** , i'-*' vf , vi x •' ••4 “ - . •' ■’ S •**. • • <i- Vw,** V/iK ‘ ,/f K< 3*% ;* %cc-' v. f -3** vj ' -- ■ 4. - . 4- *',* i !, Vv -,',; jWii s rW&. . £js%v r'y.juy-i j'jhi'jiiiny, lii'J. A U'JinjJimv J /\/ITr', A J ku J v/vm.ijy'iMyniimyiiiiiy.ijorn Soil Fertility Important For Good Forage Production The best management practice for achieving opti mum soil fertility is to test the soil several months prior to seeding the grass crop. Farm ers should keep in mind the following guidelines when testing their fields: • Maintain an optimum pH level of 6.0-6.5. If the soil pH becomes less than 6.0, other nutrients such as phos phorus, calcium and mag nesium become less available to the plant. It is best to op timize the soil pH several months before planting. If the soil is excessively acidic, an application of limestone is recommended. Under most climate conditions the lime will begin to show its effect by increasing the pH of the soil within three months. How ever, it is usually best to - •i'tc I *. , >' ’■ j? /< ; V ‘ -* : ■ V -i;w T~ s * —rr till 3fmJJ ' ’ 7 ** f >• v~~ , ' i } .~ -v * ' '•— •-■ '' $ f' ~. Vi “s?' '%*<?£• t *%X%iS *V‘ a ** '“V :, ' s *» '*•< && w' 5 s <%4i^ -v i apply the limestone six months before seeding. • Maintain adequate ni trogen to obtain high yields. Nitrogen should be applied at the rate of 20-40 pounds pei acre at seeding. An addi tional 30-50 pounds per acre should be applied in late summer or early fall of the same year. Yearly applica tions of nitrogen are needed after establishment of the grass crop. Some common sources of nitrogen fertilizers are urea, 28 percent urea ammonium nitrate solution, ammonium nitrate, and manures. • Establish optimum phosphorus concentrations prior to planting. Phosphorus is essential for plant growth. It is much more difficult to substantially increase phos- ' s , >v X v «*•> v -> * V x . > *-■ tv * V -s « **!s -&js < '1 9|PSg Wfw phorus levels once the grass crop is established. Some common sources of phos phorus are triple super phos phate, di-ammonium phos phate, mono-ammonium phosphate and ammonium polyphosphate. • High-yielding grass forages have a high demand for potassium. It is very im portant to build the soil po tassium levels up to the critical level before seeding, which can be done bv broad casting potassium-containing fertilizer on the soil and working it into the soil Ap plication uites exceeding WO pounds per acre of actual po tassium should be split into two applications, mixing after each application. Some common potassium containing feitili/eis aie mu- Call Your Local Dealer Today! Adamstown Equipment Adamstown, PA • 717/484-4391 Chambersburg Farm Service Chambersburg, PA • 717/264-3533 Charles S. Snyder, Inc. Tamaqua PA • 717/386-5945 C.H. 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Sulfur is an important constituent of proteins in plants. Rarely does a sulfur deficiency occur, but when it does, it most likely occurs in sandy soils with very low organic matter content. The sulfur status is considered low when sulfur concentration in the leaf tissue L less than or equal to 0.20 percent. If additional sulfur is needed, the most common sources to use are flowers of sulfur (yellow powder), Sulf-Po-Mg, gypsum, ammonium sulfate, and manures. • Take precautions when adding micronutrients to the soil. The plant requires these nutrients in very small amounts and an over-application can be toxic to the plant. “Establishing optimum soil fertility before planting will pay benefits in greater yields and better quality of grass forage over many years,” said Watson. “Trying to make large changes in the soil’s fertility after the crop has been established is expensive and not as effective as doing it before planting.” For more information on forage pro duction or to locate a soil-testing lab, log on to http://ohioline.osu.edu/b472/ forage.html and http:ohio line.osu.edu/hvg-fact/ 1000/1132.htm1. SADDLE UP! TO BETTER EQUIPMENT Find It In Lancaster Farming's Classified Pages. riate of potash, sulfui potassium-magnesium (Sulf- Po-Mg), blended feitilizers, and manures. If manures are used, it is best to wait 10 to 14 days after manure applica tion before seeding. The manure should be worked uniformly into the soil to a depth of at least tour to six inches. • Maintain sufficient levels of magnesium If mag nesium levels are low m rela tion to potassium lex els, the plant will tend to take up more potassium. 1 his condi tion can contribute to glass tetany "shock” in livestock that feed on the foiage. If the addition of magnesium is icc om mended. the most common magnesium ferti lizer sources are dolomitic limestone, magnesium oxide, and Sul-Po-Mg. 191
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