Fertilizer

Fertilizing pasture
University research on fertilizing sub-irrigated grazed hay meadows with 70 lbs. of N, 25 lbs. of P and 20 lbs. of S per acre resulted in a 3:1 return on investment.

Pasture and Forage Minute: Calculate ROI Before Fertilizing Pastures

April 26, 2023
This week: Fertilizing pastures — an in-depth analysis on the economics of applying fertilizer to Nebraska pastures this season. 

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Pasture landscape
Fertilization of smooth bromegrass pastures should begin soon, by late March through April

Pasture and Forage Minute: Winter Survival in Alfalfa, Fertilizing Cool-Season Grass

March 16, 2023
Tips on choosing winter survival traits in alfalfa without compromising yield, and timing and application rates for fertilizing cool-season grass pastures.

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Manure application
The value of manure depends upon several factors that must be assessed, including its type, how and where it's applied, the amount of nutrients needed in the field for the next crop and the cost of fertilizer.

Calculating the Value of Nutrients in Manure

March 16, 2023
Nebraska Extension Animal Manure Management Educator Leslie Johnson walks through the steps of calculating manure value.

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Farm equipment in field
Photo courtesy Center for Agricultural Profitability | Nathan Lykins/realagstock

Better News on World Fertilizer Markets

January 5, 2023
UNL experts discuss recent developments in natural gas prices and their implications in fertilizer prices, fertilizer affordability relative to crop prices and more in this update from the Center of Agricultural Profitability.

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Jinliang Yang in sorghum field
Jinliang Yang, assistant professor of agronomy and horticulture, is leading an effort to better understand sorghum’s genetic makeup to improve the crop’s nitrogen use efficiency. (Photo by Craig Chandler, University Communication)

Husker Research Hones in on Sorghum’s Genetic Makeup to Improve Nitrogen Efficiency

October 6, 2022
This new research will focus on increasing sorghum’s fertilizer use efficiency, as well as other aspects of sorghum’s fertilizer use, including nitrogen sensing, signaling and downstream regulatory pathways.

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Manure types
A visual representation of various manures' nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) contents compared to volume of organic matter and water.

Not All Manure is Created Equal

October 6, 2022
Animal Manure Management Extension Educator Leslie Johnson reviews the different kinds of manure and how the nutrient contents and characteristics of each product differs.

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Tractor in field
Erin Ehnle Brown/realagstock (Photo courtesy Center for Agricultural Profitability)

The Storm in World Fertilizer Markets Continues

September 29, 2022
An update on 2022 fertilizer prices following the substantial hikes in 2021 due to high demand, drought, high fossil energy prices, supply-chain disruptions and trade policies.

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Departure from normal precip 2022
Figure 1. Departure from normal precipitation during 2022 growing season in Nebraska.

Another Dry Year: What to Know About Leftover Nitrogen in Soil Following Dry Conditions

September 28, 2022
In irrigated or dryland areas with normal production, management practices may continue as normal, but for dryland areas with drastic yield reductions, there is potential for nitrogen fertilizer adjustment for the 2023 crop.

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