Extension Program Showcases Ways to Reduce Fertilizer and Feed Needs

April 17, 2008

Fertilizer and feed are two of the main input costs for beef cattle producers. With spiking fertilizer and feed prices, Alabama beef cattle and hay producers are left with difficult decisions.

To address these developing problems, Mike Henshaw, Alabama Cooperative Extension System coordinator for Winston County, and Jack Tatum, an animal science and forages regional Extension agent, recently conducted a program about techniques that can help producers reduce fertilizer and feed needs.

Some of these techniques have been addressed by forage workshops in previous years. So Henshaw called on three Winston County producers to showcase their successes with these techniques.
John Sudduth of Double Springs told the group how he planted beneficial clovers on his pastureland. Another producer, Charles Brannon of Addison, explained his success with limiting grazing of ryegrass; and Jeff Hendrix of Double Springs recounted his three years of experience with stockpiling fescue for winter grazing. All three techniques can reduce fertilizer use or reduce hay needs.

Mike Davis, an Extension forage specialist, explained that energy costs, and thus fertilizer prices, are expected to remain high. He stressed the wise use of broiler litter from the poultry industry, increasing plantings of legumes and more efficient recycling of nutrients from grazing cattle. Davis said that crimson clover is one of the most overlooked clovers in the state. With crimson clover’s potential to provide both excellent forage and low cost nitrogen, he believes it will find new popularity.

Dr. Darrell Rankins, an Extension beef nutritionist, also agreed that feed costs will likely remain high because of soaring corn and soybean prices. He advised farmers to watch for good feed values in summer months when costs are low. He added that low-cost bulk feed storage barns allow producers to store feed until it is needed in the winter. Rankins also said that some of the best feed deals require the producer to take quick action.

Producer comments from the meeting indicate that they valued both the local producers’ presentations and the Extension specialists’ comments. High fertilizer and feed costs will likely push producers to make more use of proven practices to reduce fertilizer and feed use.

Posted by dreynold on April 17, 2008 01:20 PM
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