Archived
This content is available here for research, reference, and/or recordkeeping.
Publication Date
1977
Description
While numerous studies have shown that livestock forage can be significantly increased by grassland fertilization, there is little mention in the literature of the economic considerations of this management practice. A Utah State University study was conducted to help alleviate this research deficiency. Forage production response of several Utah grassland sites to nitrogen fertilization was subjected to marginal economic analysis. When fertilized forage was harvested as hay, nitrogen application proved to be a profitable practice on semi-wet meadow and mountain loam sites. When valued as forage to be grazed directly by livestock, production increases due to fertilization were unprofitable. Significant forage carryover response to nitrogen occurred during the second season following application, thereby increasing both the optimum rate of nitrogen application and the per hectare profitability. In addition to increasing total forage yield, ammonium nitrate also stimulated early growth initiation of Agropyron cristatum in two Utah pastures. Application rates of 28 to 34 kg N per hectare hastened spring grazing readiness by 11 to 12 days. During the spring studied, the benefits of advanced grazing readiness alone exceeded costs of nitrogen application and stockmen could have profitably substituted fertilized Agropyron cristatum for purchased hay. Depending upon future forage values relative to fertilization costs, grassland fertilization may prove to be an efficient management technique even on arid grasslands.
Citation
Workman, John P., "Ecqnomics of nitrogen fertilization of native and introduced grasslands in the Intermountain Area of the United States" (1977). IGC Proceedings (1977-2023). 19.
(URL: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1977/sess5/19)
Archival?
Archival
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Ecqnomics of nitrogen fertilization of native and introduced grasslands in the Intermountain Area of the United States
While numerous studies have shown that livestock forage can be significantly increased by grassland fertilization, there is little mention in the literature of the economic considerations of this management practice. A Utah State University study was conducted to help alleviate this research deficiency. Forage production response of several Utah grassland sites to nitrogen fertilization was subjected to marginal economic analysis. When fertilized forage was harvested as hay, nitrogen application proved to be a profitable practice on semi-wet meadow and mountain loam sites. When valued as forage to be grazed directly by livestock, production increases due to fertilization were unprofitable. Significant forage carryover response to nitrogen occurred during the second season following application, thereby increasing both the optimum rate of nitrogen application and the per hectare profitability. In addition to increasing total forage yield, ammonium nitrate also stimulated early growth initiation of Agropyron cristatum in two Utah pastures. Application rates of 28 to 34 kg N per hectare hastened spring grazing readiness by 11 to 12 days. During the spring studied, the benefits of advanced grazing readiness alone exceeded costs of nitrogen application and stockmen could have profitably substituted fertilized Agropyron cristatum for purchased hay. Depending upon future forage values relative to fertilization costs, grassland fertilization may prove to be an efficient management technique even on arid grasslands.
