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Soil Fertility For Specific Crops |
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In this section we address aspects of soil fertility relevant
to specific crops.
Pasture
Winegrapes
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Building Better Pasture Fertility
Time and again growers ask "Why, according to the soil test, does the fertility of my pasture
appear to be so lacking, when fertilizer is being spread and/or manure is constantly being deposited
there?" This is a common question from those ranchers and growers who have detailed soil tests
performed on their pasture.
How many producers assume that due to stocking rates they will have adequate fertility
because of all the manure being deposited on their pasture? And how many cattlemen or other
livestock producers spend large sums of money to purchase excellent animals and then put them
on pastures that receive an occasional fertilizer top-dressing, and expect it to suffice for maintaining
top herd health and excellent pasture fertility.
Unfortunately, it seems that so many who have livestock on pasture, incorrectly make this
type of assumption. There are those who have successfully accomplished growing grass this way -
to a point - and consequently too many consider that testing pasture fertility levels is completely
unnecessary. But there are times and circumstances when a high price must be paid for thinking
like that. It can ultimately result in costly losses in terms of plant and animal health, and even
needlessly limit potential grass production. Most pasture soils treated this way never come close
to attaining their top production potential.
Testing nutrient levels in the feed is not enough The more you rely on pasture as feed for
your livestock, the more critical it is to know the actual fertility levels present there. Too many
producers neglect the nutrients in the soil, even if they are testing levels in the feed. You cannot
properly manage what you do not correctly measure, and this is emphatically true for assuring
correct pasture fertility levels for optimum growth and nutrition.
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Pastures Generally Need More Than N-P-K And Manure |
N-P-K should be added in sufficient amounts if required, but not at the expense of neglecting
other required nutrients for top performance. Furthermore, the two nutrients most affected by
manure in terms of an increase in soil fertility levels are phosphorous and potassium. In other
words, two of the three nutrients most often supplied as fertilizer are the most likely nutrients
to be supplied from manure.
However, those who raise animals should keep in mind: this is not always the case, because
manure that is produced on pastures that are already lacking one or more of these needed nutrients
will likely also be short when it comes to supplying those same nutrients. Such deficiencies tend
to occur in far more pastures than most producers seem to suspect.
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The Soil Sample - Avoid Manured Areas |
In addition, be careful when a soil sample is being taken from pastures. Is it possible that
manure deposited there is still fresh enough to affect fertility levels measured and reported on the
soil test? In such cases, it may make it appear that the fertility is good when such is not the case.
This happens all the time. Just remember - when possible:
. Allow enough time for the grass to show where both manure and urine have been
deposited and then pull soil samples in the unaffected areas.
. Take separate samples from every pasture.
. Be sure to sample only areas that are of uniform make-up, staying out of those places
which are obviously different.
. And remember, when differences are evident, if it is large enough to fertilize separately
then it is large enough to sample separately, if not stay out of such areas when taking a
soil sample.
For help, see our instructions about taking and sending soil samples
Copyright © Kinsey Agricultural Services, Inc. 2007. All rights reserved.
