Mark Flory
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Fall fertilizing best for cool-season pastures, grasses
By Mark Flory, Miami County Extension Agriculture Agent
This year in Miami County we have seen weather conditions that have led to some tremendous yields in some season forage pastures. Cool season forages make up the main source of forage nutrition for area cattle producers.
Even with tremendous yields, we had weather conditions pushing the baling season back later than what we consider ideal. This delay led to some nutrient loss in forages. If you are a caretaker of pasture or forages, then you know raising a quality product is really a year-round project.
I want to talk about some things that can be done in the fall to help forage become as productive as possible throughout the year. Fall pasture improvement will in some cases coincide with many homeowners caring for turf lawns. That improvement is fall fertilizing, which is the most beneficial fertilizing for cool-season pastures and grasses. Fall fertilizing is generally done in September and October. The reason fall fertilizing is so important for cool-season grasses, including brome and fescue, is that it is the time when they are establishing strong root systems and buds that will be the tillers for next year.
As we get into why fertilizing is important. we need to remember a fairly simple rule in grasses — the root structure provides nutrients for the foliar growth. If we have a weak root system, then most likely we will have poor production due to less foliage.
Many producers try to get fertilizer on by early September. However, it is definitely not too late to see great benefits from fall fertilizing. Fall fertilizing has been successfully done from August to the first of November.
When we talk about what fertilizer to use, there will be many different opinions. One thing everyone should agree on is that we need to have soil tests, so we know exactly how much fertilizer is needed. Soil tests are important because we all know how expensive fertilizer is. By conducting a soil test, we are eliminating the guesswork out of fertilizing.
When we look closer at what fertilizer to use, remember phosphorus. Even though it’s very high in price, it helps plants develop roots and buds for next year’s tillers.
My point is, if you have skipped applying phosphorus in the past or are looking at skipping phosphorus this year, you need to ask yourself if you can afford not to have the grass next year you would see by fertilizing using phosphorus.
Many producers are not going to be able to fertilize like they have in the past. However, I think producers need to keep in mind the amount of yield and production they need out of their forage, and fertilize appropriately.
This article does not cover all fall cool-season forage care, but with the price of fertilizer, I think it is important to be as efficient and economical as possible.
If you have any questions on fertilizing your cool-season forages, contact me at the Miami County Extension office, 294-4306.
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Even with tremendous yields, we had weather conditions pushing the baling season back later than what we consider ideal. This delay led to some nutrient loss in forages. If you are a caretaker of pasture or forages, then you know raising a quality product is really a year-round project.
I want to talk about some things that can be done in the fall to help forage become as productive as possible throughout the year. Fall pasture improvement will in some cases coincide with many homeowners caring for turf lawns. That improvement is fall fertilizing, which is the most beneficial fertilizing for cool-season pastures and grasses. Fall fertilizing is generally done in September and October. The reason fall fertilizing is so important for cool-season grasses, including brome and fescue, is that it is the time when they are establishing strong root systems and buds that will be the tillers for next year.
As we get into why fertilizing is important. we need to remember a fairly simple rule in grasses — the root structure provides nutrients for the foliar growth. If we have a weak root system, then most likely we will have poor production due to less foliage.
Many producers try to get fertilizer on by early September. However, it is definitely not too late to see great benefits from fall fertilizing. Fall fertilizing has been successfully done from August to the first of November.
When we talk about what fertilizer to use, there will be many different opinions. One thing everyone should agree on is that we need to have soil tests, so we know exactly how much fertilizer is needed. Soil tests are important because we all know how expensive fertilizer is. By conducting a soil test, we are eliminating the guesswork out of fertilizing.
When we look closer at what fertilizer to use, remember phosphorus. Even though it’s very high in price, it helps plants develop roots and buds for next year’s tillers.
My point is, if you have skipped applying phosphorus in the past or are looking at skipping phosphorus this year, you need to ask yourself if you can afford not to have the grass next year you would see by fertilizing using phosphorus.
Many producers are not going to be able to fertilize like they have in the past. However, I think producers need to keep in mind the amount of yield and production they need out of their forage, and fertilize appropriately.
This article does not cover all fall cool-season forage care, but with the price of fertilizer, I think it is important to be as efficient and economical as possible.
If you have any questions on fertilizing your cool-season forages, contact me at the Miami County Extension office, 294-4306.