Nutrient Management Basics Maria Bendixen UW-Extension Agriculture Agent Taylor and Marathon County

What is Nutrient Management?  Managing the amount, source, placement, form, and timing of the application of nutrients and soil amendments

Purposes 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?  Increase efficiency of all nutrient sources  Reduce pollution and environmental risk  Increase profit $$$$$ Optimize nutrient supply for maximum crop yields Less money spent on unnecessary fertilizers, and time/equipment to apply them

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  Identify: Roads Streams Wetlands Residences # of Acres Soil Types

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  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  Dead furrows or back furrows  Lime, sludge or manure piles  Animal droppings  Near fences or roads  Rows where fertilizer has been banded  Eroded knolls  Low spots

WI Soil Test Program  1 or 2 samples per field – none can be eliminated  3 or 4 samples per field – one can be eliminated  5 or more samples per field – up to two can be eliminated

Recommended sample intensity for “uniform” non-site-specific fields

Sampling Depth 6 inch sample = 6 inch sample = 25 ppm P 4 inch sample = 4 inch sample = 30 ppm P 8 inch sample = 8 inch sample = 21 ppm P PH levels are also affected at different depths.

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  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/ft2 Fair (30 to 70% alfalfa, 1.5 to 4 plants/ft2 Poor (0 to 30% alfalfa, less than 1.5 plants/ft2

Conclusions  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.