Manure use and Alfalfa

As the dairy industry continues to try to find ways to cut costs many are scrutinizing field amendments to attempt to decrease input costs. Obviously we cannot limit nutrients to crops but sometimes simply changing where those nutrients come from may be of economic benefit. A perfect example of this is the use of manures for potassium in alfalfa.

On dairy farms we often have an excess of manure and our manures are typically pretty high in potassium. We also often have lots of acres of alfalfa that need potassium fertilizer. On alfalfa fields we typically use commercial fertilizers to add only the nutrients needed to the sward. One of the main issues with manure on any of our crops is the fact that it is a complete package fertilizer so we get even the nutrients we don't need, in this case nitrogen. If all of the manure could be used on corn, it would be better to save the manure for the corn ground where you will get more of the full value of the nutrients, especially N. In this case you need to push the pencil to see if it is more economical to buy N for the corn or K for the alfalfa.

Excess nitrogen can lead to increased competition in alfalfa stands of grasses as well as other weeds. Because of this the typical recommendation is to not use alfalfa on newly established stands. Older stands will likely be rotated in a few years and may also have a competitive advantage to the young stands when it comes to keeping weeds at bay.

Another important note on using manures in alfalfa is to stay away from manures that may clump or get picked up with future harvests such as dairy pack manure. Dry poultry manure may be used on alfalfa stands but typically our liquid manures are the best option.

Manure application to alfalfa should occur immediately after a cutting is taken. Make sure you have a current soil test as well as manure test and apply to potassium levels to get a lower rate of application. This lower rate will allow less traffic across the field and can limit the negative impact on the alfalfa stand that may be seen from the heavy loads.

So yes, application of manures to alfalfa can be an economic way to get a cheap source of potassium; however some negatives may be realized. Remember the best practices are

• Apply to oldest stands or declining stands
• Use only liquid manures or poultry litter
• Apply directly after cutting
• Minimize traffic on fields

Crop costs are set and in the ground.

As seeds are placed in the ground and even our second pass with herbicides and nutrients are over do you know what your crop has already cost you? If not I recommend you take a hard look at your inputs thus far in this growing season. Input costs are largely set with the exception of harvest for corn as well as many of your other crops. Getting a handle on what your total cost in the field is will be crucial for setting a breakeven price for your crop. Many costs from this point on are easily estimated due to past costs associated with the particular crop. The only variable that cannot be accounted for is weather and thus yield, which will make a tremendous difference in breakeven. From this point on we will keep one eye on the growing crop and one eye on the past production we have seen to try to come to a sound estimate on this year's yield potential. As you hone in on your yield marketing decisions can be made and executed only when you have a firm grasp on the dollars already invested in the crop and the dollars it will take to harvest and transport it.

Even for those of you who don't sell your crops but utilize them on your farm this is a very important time to focus costs. You now have in the ground a significant portion of your feed costs for next year to set a break even on your products you will be shipping off farm. Utilize the dollars spent now to start finding the price points to identify in futures that could keep you profitable.

It is still too early to have a clear picture of what price options we will have during and after this growing season. As we gather and interpret information now the more prepared we will be to make the decisions we need to later in the season to secure profit and/or minimize losses.