NITROGEN RATES AND APPLICATION TIMING ON STOCKPILING FORAGES FOR LATE FALL/EARLY WINTER GRAZING IN SOUTH CENTRAL KENTUCKY
Applied Research
David Embrey
ANR/4-H
University of Kentucky
BROWNSVILLE
Abstract
\r\n The amount of nitrogen (N) to use and timing of application for stockpiling forages is challenging for producers. Lack of moisture, the heat of late summer, and high nitrogen prices often prevent producers from attempting to stockpile forages. In 2011 and 2012 a demonstration trial was established on two fields with test strips of 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 lbs/ac N. Applications were made August 10, September 10, and October 10 of each year. The N source was Urea treated with the recommended rate of Agrotain. In late July and early August fields were grazed and mowed to an average height of 2-3 inches. Forage mass was measured every two weeks from date of application and rainfall amounts were collected from August through December. Quality samples were collected in November, as well as quality samples from the cooperating producers’ hay. The results from this demonstration coincided with literature from previous work on stockpiling in Kentucky. Although several limitations prevented the trial from being analyzed statistically, it showed local producers that applications made after mid-September would not likely accumulate sufficient forage mass to warrant the cost of fertilizer. Higher N rates produced higher crude protein (CP) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) of stockpiled forages and exceeded the CP and TDN of the producers’ hay. In conclusion, this demonstration trial was useful to encourage producers to use standard stockpiling recommendations, and suggested that moderate N rates of 60 – 90 lbs/ac were beneficial both economically and agronomically even in challenging years.
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Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC
This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.
A poster file has not been provided
Authors: D.L. Embrey, S.R Smith
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Embrey, D. ANR/4-H, University of Kentucky, Kentucky, 42210
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Smith, S. Extension Specialist Forages, Kentucky Cooperative Extension, Kentucky, 40546