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 •**. • • ' ’■ j? /< ; V ‘ -* : ■ V -i;w T~ s * —rr till 3fmJJ ' ’ 7 ** f >• v~~ , ' i } .~ -v * ' '•— •-■ '' $ f' ~. Vi “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. Rmehimer Berwick PA • 717/752-7131 CW Neiderheiser Sales Mt Pleasant PA • 717/423-4076 Deerfield Ag & Turf Watsontown PA • 717/538-3557 Dunkle & Greib Equipment Centre Hall PA • 814/364-9109 Eckroth Bros Farm Equipment New Ringgold, PA • 717/943-2131 Elder Sales & Service Stoneboro PA • 412/376 3390 Henry Horning Lititz PA • 717/626 5033 Hines Equipment Cresson PA • 717/886 4183 Ickes Farm Supply Osterburg PA • 814/276 3422 Longeneckers, Inc Williamsburg PA • 814/793-3731 Marshall Machinery Honesdale PA • 570/729-7117 Meyers Implement, Inc Greencastle PA • 717/597 2176 Pikeville Equipment Oley PA • 215/987 6277 Ralph Kyle Mercer PA • 412/748 4300 R&W Equipment Carlisle PA • 717/243 2686 Scheffel Equipment Somerset PA • 814/445-6500 Stoltzfus Farm Service Cochranville PA • 215/593 2407 Waltemyers Sales & Service, Inc Red Lion PA • 717/244-4168 Deercreek Eq Whiteford MD • 410/452 5252 Gladhill Tractor Frederick MD • 301/663 6060 J David Mullmix Dayton MD • 301/489-4363 Knott & Geisbert, Inc Frederick MD • 301/662-3800 D& R Eq Rmgoes NJ • 908/782 5082 Owens Supply Woodstown NJ • 856/769 0308 Lancaster Farming, Saturday, July 13,2002, Foraging Around- • Keep an eye on sulfur deficiencies. 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