November 2013 Articles

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Strategic Hay Feeding To Improve Soil Fertilit

Strategic Hay Feeding To Improve Soil Fertility K.J. Simon, A. Jennings, M.D. Keaton, & M.S. Gadberry, UofA
Increased cost of fertilizer and fuel has made it difficult for livestock producers to maintain adequate soil fertility needed for optimum production in pastures and hayfields. Strategic hay feeding aids in improving soil fertility. The average nutrient content of a 4’ x 5’ round bale of Bermuda hay is 16 lbs N, 5 lbs of P2O5 and 18 lbs K2O. At current commercial fertilizer prices the bale has a fertility value of $22.16. Ten hay feeding/fertility management demonstrations were conducted to determine soil fertility improvement in designated pastures due to strategic hay placement and feeding during a hay feeding season. Hay was either fed in a concentrated area during the entire feeding period or hay bales were placed in different locations across the designated field each time hay was fed during the feeding period. Soil samples were taken from the designated hay feeding area before and after the hay feeding period. Hay was tested to determine P & K content and total hay and supplement fed were recorded. Soil fertility increased dramatically in the concentrated feeding areas, but trampling damaged the sod and led to weed invasion the following spring. Average increases in soil test levels of P, K and organic matter in the concentrated feeding treatment were 385 lbs/acre, 1,600 lbs/acre, and 7.3%, respectively. When hay was placed in different locations at each feeding, less vegetative trampling was observed, which reduced problems with mud. Average increases in soil test P, K and organic matter were 57 lbs/acre, 308 lbs/acre, &1.6% respectively. Strategic hay feeding area within a designated field is a cost-effective way of increasing soil test levels of P, K &organic matter.