1. Test your soil’s nutrient content
2. Apply recommended nutrients or lime based on the soil analysis report
3. Rest your pastures
Step 1: Get Soil Tested
The first step is to take a soil sample of your field. With the high costs of fertilizer, it doesn’t make any sense to buy nutrients that you may not need. The soil sample analysis will give you a tailor made recipe for fertilizer along with how much to apply per acre.
You should have your soil sampled in your pastures and hay fields every three years so you can evaluate your soil fertility both to maximize your forage yield and provide soil nutrient information for your manure management plan.
The Michigan State University Soil Testing Lab provides quick turnaround for soil analysis. If you have questions about collecting your sample, contact your county extension office. FG
—From Michigan State University Field Crop Production Digest, October 2012
For part two of this series, click here.
For part three, click here.
