Soils and Fertility

There are wrong ways to do right things. Repeated use of products like triple-10 (10-10-10) or triple-19 (19-19-19) on hay fields can ultimately make that field unresponsive to the fertilizer that is applied. Don’t get me wrong, fertilizing is a ‘right’ thing. People that fertilize their pasture and hay fields have a special place in my heart. But here is why triple-19 can trip you up - READ ENTIRE ARTICLE

Top production from hay and pasture fields can best be obtained if soil test levels are in the range of 50 to 60 P and 270 to 300 K and are maintained at those levels.  Strive to maintain a pH of 6.4 for mixed grass-legume pastures and a pH of 6.8 for alfalfa and alfalfa-grass.  Alfalfa fields might also require added boron (B) for maximum production.  Refer to "Lime and Fertilizer Recommendations" (AGR-1) for complete fertilizer recommendations.

Potassium can be a neglected nutrient in forages, especially hayfields. Potassium is needed for many essential plant processes

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