Farm Nutrient Management

Nutrient management is becoming a buzz word in today\u27s vocabulary of crop and livestock production. In the past it was applied to efficient management of all nutrient sources used for crop production. More recently it is being used to account for all nutrients used for crop production that are brought onto the farm, removed from the farm in crop and animal products, and reallocated within the farm unit. Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are the nutrients of concern with nitrogen and phosphorus being most important

Fall Fertilization Programs

Achieving recommended fertility levels for the next season\u27s crop is important enough that it should not be subject to all the uncertainties of spring weather. Fall offers more time for careful planning of fertilizer and lime requirements based on good soil tests. Fields are generally in good condition to support application equipment without creating excessive soil compaction

Use of Plant Analysis

Plant analysis is the laboratory determination of several nutrient elements on a single sample of plant material. In recent years this technique has been more frequently used to diagnose soil fertility problems 0r to monitor soil fertility recommendations on growing crops. Current instrumentation makes it possible to rapidly determine several elements on an extract from a plant sample

Micronutrients in Kentucky

Micronutrients required for normal plant development and fruiting include boron, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, and zinc. Unlike the macronutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S), the quantities of micronutrients needed by agronomic crops is very small. Kentucky soils may contain large amounts of micronutrients in their mineral composition but only small amounts may be available for plant uptake. The soil availability and crop uptake of micronutrients are influenced by soil pH, soil temperatures, crop root growth, soil moisture, crop species and soil organic matter content

Anhydrous Ammonia Use for Corn

Anhydrous ammonia is the most concentrated form of nitrogen fertilizer available to corn producers in many areas of Kentucky. It is a simple chemical compound made up of one part nitrogen and three parts hydrogen (NH3), existing as a gas at normal outdoor temperatures. This makes it necessary to store and handle the material in closed containers under pressure. The product contains 82% nitrogen, making it one of the highest analysis and most economical fertilizers available for corn production

Liming Needs of Kentucky Soils

A sound liming program is the first step in building and maintaining soil fertility. Lime lowers the acidity (raises pH) of soil and prevents the adverse effects of high concentrations of soluble aluminum, iron, and manganese on crop growth--effects often associated with acid soils. Maintaining a suitable pH assures adequate levels of calcium and magnesium. Liming an acid soil increases the availability of most essential plant nutrients, increases the efficiency of fertilizers, improves the effectiveness of some herbicides, and makes beneficial soil organisms more active

Sludge for Agricultural Land

Sludge is a product of municipal wastewater treatment with characteristics dependent on both the initial wastewater composition and the subsequent treatment processes used. The sludge composition influences the options that are available its use. For decades, the objective has been disposal. generally meaning that it was buried in a landfill or incinerated. Efforts in recent years have been directed toward application of sludge to agricultural land. Farmers should be aware of several potential problems when deciding whether or not to use sludge for such purposes

Sewage Sludge for Land Application

Sewage sludge is a product of waste water treatment plants that function as environmentally acceptable pollution control facilities. In past years most of the sludge had been landfilled, dumped at sea or buried. But environmental and economic considerations have resulted in greater interest in its application on cropland

Fertilizing Alfalfa for Optimum Yields

Alfalfa is one of the most important forage crops in Kentucky. It is grown on a wide range of soil types, has the ability to produce high yields, and will respond to good management including a sound soil fertility program