This document describes a study demonstrating how managing hay feeding can build soil fertility without commercial fertilizers. Over two years, hay was unrolled across demonstration fields rather than feeding in the same area each time. Soil samples showed that phosphorus increased by 22 lbs/A and potassium increased by 172 lbs/A in year 1, and phosphorus increased again by 22 lbs/A and potassium by 148 lbs/A in year 2. By spreading nutrients from the hay and livestock waste over larger areas, soil fertility was increased without purchasing commercial fertilizers, saving producers money and preventing the accumulation of phosphorus and potassium in small areas.

1. MANAGING HAY FEEDING TO BUILD SOIL FERTILITY
Haller,* B.W.1, Jennings, J.A.2, Simon, K.J. 3
1. County Extension Agent – Staff Chair, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension, White County, Searcy, Arkansas 72143
2. Professor, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, Little Rock, Arkansas 72203
3. Program Associate, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, Little Rock, Arkansas 72203
ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE RESULTS
Feeding hay is a common practice on any beef cattle operation. • To demonstrate utilization of the nutrients in hay to improve • Year 1 – soil phosphorus increased 22 lbs/A
The obvious benefits of feeding hay is providing nutrients and soil fertility.
supplement for beef cattle during times of minimum or no forage • Year 1 – soil potassium increased 172 lbs/A
growth. Two demonstrations were conducted over a 2 year • Year 2 - soil phosphorus increased 22 lbs/A
period to examine the effects of spreading hay feeding evenly MATERIALS AND METHODS • Year 1 – soil potassium increased 148 lbs/A
over a field on soil fertility. A majority of producers tend to feed
hay in one area year after year. Over time high levels of Soil samples were taken over the entire farm to determine the
phosphorus and potassium build up in the soil. Soil samples low fertility fields. The fields with lowest soil fertility levels of
were pulled in the designated hay feeding area before hay phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) were chosen to be used for
feeding began and again in the spring when hay feeding was the hay feeding areas for Year 1 and Year 2. In both Year 1
over. Records were kept on the number of bales fed and any and 2 soil samples were taken in field where hay was to be fed
supplemental feed fed in the demonstration field. Based on the before the hay feeding season. The P levels was 42 lbs/A and
data collected from the demonstration the amount of nutrients K was 184 lbs/A for Year 1 and Year 2 levels were 34 lbs/A of P
applied to the field from the hay can be calculated and then and 192 lbs/A of K. Hay was staged in one area of the field to
compared to the change in soil fertility. The average nutrient be unrolled to be fed. The hay was unrolled in different areas
content of a 4’ x 5’ round bale of bermuda hay is 16 lbs N, 5 lbs at each feeding to get coverage over the entire fields. Fifty
P2O5 & 18 lbs K2O. Using current commercial fertilizer prices bales of mixed warm season grasses were unrolled and fed
a bale has a fertility value of $22.16. In year 1 soil phosphorus across the field in Year 1 and 55 bales were fed in Year 2. The
increased by 22 lbs./A and potassium increased by 172 lbs./A. hay was sampled for analysis to determine the amount
Year 2 data had a 22 lbs./A increase in soil phosphorus and 148 nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. After the hay feeding
lbs/A increase in potassium. Managing hay feeding is a period, soil samples were taken to determine the amount of P
beneficial way to recycle nutrients to build soil fertility. and K. Fields were dragged and over seeded in Red River®
crabgrass and Morning Star® red clover.
INTRODUCTION
Nutrient and soil fertility management are important issues
facing livestock producers. Nutrient management is a big
concern to the public, which has turned to litigation in some
areas of Arkansas. Producer inputs are continually rising and
one of the leading costs for beef cattle producers is fertilizer. IMPACTS
Soil fertility is an expensive practice that is required for forage 1. Soil fertility was increased with no commercial fertilizer.
growth. Most beef cattle producers in Arkansas utilize hay for
winter feeding. Hay feeding areas typically have high 2. $13.20/A of P was added without being purchased in both
accumulations of phosphorus and potassium. Many producers years.
feed their hay in the same location year after year. By
changing producer hay feeding methods; nutrients from hay 3. $82.56/A of K was added without being purchased in Year 1
and livestock waste can be utilized over a large and different 4. $71.56/A of K was added without being purchased in Year 2.
areas to increase soil fertility and prevent accumulation of Producer unrolling hay.
phosphorus and potassium. 5. Soil P and K were not accumulated in one small area.