My pastures were pretty sparse this spring and summer, so I had the soil tested and sought recommendations from our co-op in town. I have learned that Triple 19 seems to be a favorite fertilizer for most people’s pastures. I was out of work for a few months and was unable to purchase 19-19-19 to spread on my pastures around the end of August which was what was advised. I’m wondering if it’s worth it to go ahead and spread this fertilizer now, mid October or if I should just wait til spring again? Anyone have any experience with pasture management?
That’s a great question for your local extension office. I think around here we spread lime in the fall, fertilizer in early spring. But I could have that switched around!
Anyway, your extension office is happy to provide recommendations based on your soil sample and needs. There is no cost for their consultation. And they aren’t trying to sell you anything 
Outside of 19-19-19 being a “favorite”, what did the soil test say you need?
I would go back to your extension agent and find out the best course. What’s appropriate in late Summer to support Fall growth, isn’t necessarily appropriate in late October, all depending on what varieties of grass you have.
did the test say anything about the pH? Lime can be spread any time, timed right before a good soaking rain and since it takes a while for it to change the pH, the sooner the better.
You have a window to spray a fast release nitrogen right now, and not much else. Urea or AMS.
You probably should check around for a fertilizer company like the bigger farmers use. They can mix the minerals you need according to the soil test results. Your location will affect what is spread now as well. Here in Michign, I would spread minerals now but not Nitrogen. Plants can’t use much Nitrogen now because the colder weather is not letting them grow much. Also not as much sunshine, which grasses need for growth. This from my fertilizer guy when I was building up the new hay field soil.
Something else to consider is NOT using Urea as your Nitrogen source. It is quite volitile in disappearing (vaporizes into the air) after spreading if you don’t get that rain right away. It also con be harmful to grazing animals, causing laminitus, even a while after being spread and rained in. Seen that happen with husband working as a Farrier. Urea poisoning is the name for that problem. Husband was quite adamant about NOT USING Urea on our fields to avoid aNY chance of laminitus…
We use Ammonium Sulphate for our Nitrogen source, it doesn’t vaporize if the rain misses us after spreading. No laminitis issues after using it now about 20 years, after recommendation by the fertilizer guy. They cost almost the same. But unless you ask for it, the fertilizer folks will automatically give you the Urea. It is their go-to Nitrogen product.
The issue with using things like a 19-19-19 product is that it will have more-than or less-than of the speciific minerals that your soil test shows you need! Plus it will have Urea in it. So you are paying for excess minerals that will be unused by plants and wash away in the rain to affect the water drained off into creeks, rivers, lakes. And the soil will STILL need the minerals it got shorted on by the that product fertilizer.
Lime is a great product, can be applied almost any time, as JB said. But if the land does not NEED lime according to the soil test, then you are spending money when you don’t have to.
3 Likes
I had my soil tested earlier this year, and the results pointed to lime. I then had my extension agent out for a pasture assessment. To my surprise, despite that my pastures are pretty weedy, he said there’s good grass in there, and if I get the liming done this fall, that would raise the pH, which would make nutrients more available, especially the phosphorus. He also told me I could fertilize and that I’d have lush pastures next spring. But without adjusting the pH the effects wouldn’t last past one season. By adjusting the pH with lime, I’d get a longer-lasting result, possibly three to four years. I also rotate fields; next year, I’ll be careful not to overgraze.
A bonus for talking to your extension agent vs. a business owner is they aren’t representing products. They also might know of local programs that help offset the cost. My local conservation district has a program that reimburses $15/ton, for up to 10 tons. That’s $150 just for filling out a 1-page application and then mailing in the paid receipt after the work is done.
Here’s the process getting done. I felt like a very responsible grass farm owner that day.
IMG_6521
4 Likes
Gracious! What kind of lime are they spreading? Powdered or ground? My fertilizer wagon never looked like that spreading my lime!! I usually use granulated lime for it being faster acting than the powdered types.
My fertilizer guy told me that lime is a “helping mineral,” in freeing up minerals in the soil for plants to use easier. Sometimes the soil needs lime, other times it doesn’t, so application is not needed or only in smaller quantities.
Going to the Extension agent is fine. Unfortunately in my County they are remarkably unavailable to consult! They are paid partly by the State and partly with County matching funds. My cheapskate County is unwilling to spend a lot on the Agents, especially with the drain of 4H program expenses. Every couple years we get a choice “Spend on 4H or ??” Various other worthy County programs. Can’t afford both!! So far they have eliminated the dog pound, dumping unwanted animals on the over worked Humane Society and neighboring Counties.
Anyway, I went to the Fertilizer place to confer with their experts. They do my soil tests, have complimented my improved results. They have gently advised that some of my ideas/choices were not in my best interests with timing, or not right for the soil I have. Don’t spend money doing xxx. Not out to make every penny they could off of me. Ha ha They are experts in their field, with giving information to huge commercial farms that need to turn a profit. They could be a good resource for you. They are much more available to me than my local Extension agents are.
I have had great weed decrease results with regular mowing of pastures. It is an idea you might consider along with your other efforts
1 Like
Thank you for your advice. pastures are done and I can rest for the winter! Now I have a new project. A slaughter bound mare caught my eye at a kill pen. Right now, Im helping support her, since someone was able to get her out. I swear this old puppy dog of a mare was special at one time…but did not deserve the slaughter pen. I cant help myself.
1 Like
Glad to hear you are now prepared for winter. I think we are finally done with all the tweaking of things here. Spreading manure on the hay fields to add organic matter there. Been so wet I was doing high edges because the middle was too wet. Pastures are still providing some nibbling but we are also feeding hay outside now to fill everyone up.
Good luck with the old mare. I don’t attend horse auctions, too many horses needing good homes. We have a stall for each horse, no room for more.
