nutrient management basics maria bendixen uw-extension agriculture agent taylor and marathon county
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Nutrient Management Basics Nutrient Management Basics
Maria Bendixen UW-Extension Agriculture Agent
Taylor and Marathon County
What is Nutrient Management?What is Nutrient Management?
Managing the amount, source, placement, form, and timing of the application of nutrients and soil amendments
Purposes of Nutrient ManagementPurposes of Nutrient Management
To budget and supply nutrients for plant production
To properly utilize manure or organic by-products as a plant nutrient source
To minimize agricultural non-point source pollution of surface and ground water resources
To maintain or improve the physical, chemical, and biological condition of soil
Why develop a nutrient management plan?Why develop a nutrient management plan?
Increase efficiency of all nutrient sources Reduce pollution and environmental risk Increase profit $$$$$
Optimize nutrient supply for maximum crop yieldsLess money spent on unnecessary fertilizers, and time/equipment to apply them
Elements of a Plan Elements of a Plan (1) Field Map (2) Soil Tests (3) Manure analysis (4) Crop Sequence (5) Estimated Yield (6) Sources and Forms (7) Sensitive Areas
(8) Recommended Rates
(9) Recommended Timing
(10) Recommended Methods
(11) Annual Review and Update
Field Maps Field Maps
Identify:RoadsStreamsWetlandsResidences# of AcresSoil Types
Soil Testing Soil Testing
Good consistent samples needed for accurate results.
Testing should be done at the same time each year as nutrients tend to be higher in the spring.
Test one sample for every 5 acres. Use the W method for sampling.
The W Method The W Method On a five acre grid take samples in the pattern shown. Each sample should be composed of at least 10 cores.
Where not to Sample Where not to Sample
Dead furrows or back furrowsDead furrows or back furrows Lime, sludge or manure pilesLime, sludge or manure piles Animal droppingsAnimal droppings Near fences or roadsNear fences or roads Rows where fertilizer has been bandedRows where fertilizer has been banded Eroded knollsEroded knolls Low spotsLow spots
WI Soil Test ProgramWI Soil Test Program
1 or 2 samples per field – none can be 1 or 2 samples per field – none can be eliminatedeliminated
3 or 4 samples per field – one can be eliminated3 or 4 samples per field – one can be eliminated 5 or more samples per field – up to two can be 5 or more samples per field – up to two can be
eliminatedeliminated
Recommended sample intensity for “uniform” non-
site-specific fields
Recommended sample intensity for “uniform” non-
site-specific fields
Sampling Depth Sampling Depth 6 inch sample = 6 inch sample =
25 ppm P25 ppm P 4 inch sample = 4 inch sample =
30 ppm P30 ppm P 8 inch sample = 8 inch sample =
21 ppm P21 ppm PPH levels are also PH levels are also
affected at different affected at different depths.depths.
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
pp
m P
0-2"2-4"4-6"6-8"
Manure Analysis Manure Analysis
Sample Manure Gives you more accurate numbers to use in
determining nutrients available to your crops. Different feeding programs can change manure
content greatly.
Legume Credits Legume Credits Measure hay in the fall Less than 8 inches of regrowth or more than 8
inches Red Clover and Bridsfoot Trefoil can be counted
at 80% the value of alfalfa. Quality of the stand
Good (70 to 100% alfalfa, more than 4 plants/ft2Fair (30 to 70% alfalfa, 1.5 to 4 plants/ft2 Poor (0 to 30% alfalfa, less than 1.5 plants/ft2
ConclusionsConclusions Nutrient management plans are the smart way
to manage nutrients. Plans can increase profits as well as protect the
environment. Many farms do not have a plan to manage the
nutrients produced or applied to their fields. Costs to develop a plan may be prohibitive for
small producers.