The hot, dry conditions in spring followed by frosts in early June had producers from all around the province worried about the summer's hay crop. And while these adverse conditions did much to limit the yield potential of the grasses and legumes, the lack of adequate nutrients available to the plants also contributed to a reduced yield. A couple of hay fields west of Yorkton, however, show the importance of good soil fertility - even while doing a survey from the 1/2 ton going 90 km/h!
In the summer of 1997, Brent McKen direct seeded forages into a number of acres, some for hay and some for pasture. At the time of seeding, Brent also seeded oats and peas at half the regular rate and cut them for green feed. By mid June of 1998, the forages had generally established very well but the areas in the fields that had been fertilized were much better established than those that received no fertilizer.
One field of grass (a mixture of meadow brome, crested wheat and timothy) was particularly striking. When Brent seeded the field, he was able to seed from corner to corner and end to end. Then he built fences around the field. About the third week of April,1998, Brent broadcast a fertilizer blend that included 50 lb. Nitrogen (in the 34-0-0 form), 30 lb. Phosphate and 15 lb. Potassium. The cost of the fertilizer was roughly $37/acre. Brent couldn't apply the fertilizer up against the new fence or in to the seeded ditch. By mid June, even though at that time the field had received only four tenths of an inch of rain, the difference between the fertilized field and unfertilized area was startling.
The colour differences were most apparent. The fertilized area was a much darker green than the unfertilized grass. The fertilized grass was also taller. Thom Weir Agronomic Crop Enhancement Specialist with Westco was also at Brent's that day. Thom threw down the 0.25 square yard measure on both areas. The clippings from the unfertilized area barely put a bulge in the sample bag whereas it was all Thom could do to squeeze the clippings from the fertilized area into the same sized bag.
Thom then sent the samples away to the Enviro Test Lab in Saskatoon and had a feed analysis report prepared. The results prove just how important it is to fertilize forage stands. On a dry weight basis, the protein content of the unfertilized grass was 7.50% and the estimated TDN was 57.91%. Compare those two figures to the fertilized grass where the dry weight protein was 12.27% and the TDN was 68.17%. In terms of yield, the fertilized grass was remarkable. Brent said he cut the hay early and was able to take off about 2200 lbs. per acre. Rather than take a second cut, he turned his bison out on that field for grazing. Considering there hasn't been much notable rainfall since about the middle of July, Brent is very happy with the productivity of the stand.
The summer of 1998 has been the year where fertilizing forages has shown its value. Those forages with an adequate nutrient supply were healthy and vigorous and therefore, much better able to cope with the stresses of the adverse weather conditions than those forages under nutrient stress. Productivity and improved nutrient content of the hay were the final result.
For more information on pasture and hayland fertilization, contact Thom Weir at 786-5488. For information on direct seeding or soil conservation, contact the SSCA Hotline 1-800-213-4287.