Ramblings
It can be very difficult to come up with a specific topic for an article every week, so this week I am just going to cover a variety of topics of importance to agriculture producers in the county. Everyone is very aware that we are smack dab in the middle of a La Nina weather pattern.
As most are aware La Nina usually brings us drier and warmer than average weather. The National Weather Service shows us being under this La Nina pattern at least through April.
While the dry conditions are hard on winter grain, the warm weather has at least kept winter feeding at a minimum for the time being. If it is going to be dry, it is better for it be dry in the winter than summer, let’s hope the pattern changes by late spring early summer.
For a little more Debbie Downer news fertilizer prices have gone through the roof since spring and there is no real end in sight. Some think straight nitrogen 32-0-0 is going to be as high as $1000.00/ton by next spring. That will sure make decisions about fertilizing crops and hay fields very difficult. I cannot stress the importance of a soil test and for sure when fertilizer is this high.
Many will be tempted to just put out some nitrogen thinking that will be the best bang for the buck.
A soil test can tell you where you are on all nutrients, depending on your results, I think in most cases you will be better off figuring out what you can afford and splitting it across the top three nutrients N, P and K. Not including phosphorus and potassium when it is needed will only get you in a bigger hole you will eventually have to spend your way out of to keep your grass healthy and productive.
You may even consider adding some P and K this winter to help spread your cost out. These two nutrients do not volatilize like nitrogen and with limited rainfall an early application may help get them into the root zone by the growing season.
Despite the dry weather some folks were able to take advantage of some earlier rainfall to get grain up to grazing size. Research using mineral concentrations in fresh forage samples submitted to the Dairy One Lab over a 13-year period have shown the potential for mineral deficiencies for calves grazing small grains.
Relative to calf requirements, the calcium concentration in small grains forages ranges from adequate to marginal to very deficient. Phosphorus can be slightly deficient to adequate.
Magnesium concentrations are marginal to adequate for stocker calves. Copper and zinc, two trace minerals of concern, also range from very deficient to adequate.
Research has demonstrated that stocker cattle grazing small grains pastures will respond efficiently to a complete mineral supplement. “Complete” meaning a supplement containing salt, macrominerals and trace minerals in appropriate concentrations. In addition to supplying necessary mineral elements to stockers, mineral supplements are a means of delivering ionophores (Rumensin, Bovatec) that can further enhance weight gain. Supplements containing ionophores are referred to as medicated mineral supplements.
Many years of forage analyses shows that mineral concentrations in small grains pasture can range from adequate to severely deficient. Research has demonstrated that stocker cattle grazing small grains forages will respond efficiently and economically to both nonmedicated and medicated mineral supplements.