FERTILIZER SOURCES ON BERMUDAGRASS PASTURES FOR STOCKER GRAZING S. M. DeRouen, J. M. Gillespie, and J. D. Ward Hill Farm Research Station, Department of Agricultural Economics & Agribusiness, and Southeast Research Station 11/19/2018

Objective of the Study Determine effects of broiler litter and commercial fertilizer applied to bermudagrass pastures on: 1) animal performance 2) economic implications 11/19/2018

Experimental Procedures Two-year study - conducted in 1999 and 2000 156 Angus-sired fall-born weaned crossbred calves were used: 84 head in 1999; 72 head in 2000 Stocking rate: 3.5 hd/acre in 1999; 3.0 hd/acre in 2000 11/19/2018

Experimental Procedures (Continued) 121-day trial in 1999; 112-day trial in 2000 Eight pastures were used; pasture was experimental unit Monthly rising plate meter readings and forage clippings obtained 11/19/2018

Fertilizer Sources (Treatments) Evaluated BL-2+2 - 2 tons/acre applied in early April & late June BL-4 - 4 tons/acre applied in early April & 50 lb/acre N applied in early July CF-30 -250lb/acre of 17-17-17 (N-P-K) applied in mid-April, mid-May, & mid-June, & 50lb/acre of N applied in early July CF-45 -250lb/acre of 17-17-17 (N-P-K) applied in mid-April, late May, & early July 11/19/2018

ACTUAL AMOUNT OF N-P-K BY FERTILIZER SOURCE

ACTUAL AMOUNT OF N-P-K BY FERTILIZER SOURCE

RELATIVE FORAGE AVAILABILITY-YR 1999

RELATIVE FORAGE AVAILABILITY-YR 2000

WEIGHT GAIN PERFORMANCE 6

FERTILIZER COSTS 6

NET RETURN/LOSS 6 11/19/2018

CONCLUSIONS Similar weight gains for stockers were observed among pastures fertilized with either broiler litter or commercial fertilizer. Fertilizer costs were reduced by 37 to 41 % with the use of broiler litter compared to commercial fertilizer. At net economic loss resulted in 1999 by retaining calves and stockering over the summer, whereas, in 2000, a net economic return resulted except for one commercial fertilizer source. 11/19/2018