Are Your Fields Begging for Potassium? Matt Lippert, Regional Extension Dairy Educator in Clark, Marathon and Wood Counties, Univ. of Wisconsin-Ext.
Data from the Fertilizer Institute show that many states average soil tests are critically low in potassium (shown here). This is especially true for states that produce a lot of forage. Corn yielding 200 bushels per acre and 60-bushel soybean crops remove about 60 pounds of K2O per acre. If the same corn crop is harvested as silage about 240 pounds of K2O is removed - four times more K removal. This magnification of extra potassium removal for forage is much greater for potassium than it is for phosphorus. Like corn silage, four-ton dry matter yield alfalfa also removes about 240 pounds of K2O (Wisconsin Nutrient Management Fast Facts Magazine 2024; Wisconsin Extension Crops and Soils Program). The Fertilizer Institute summarized soil test numbers and found in Wisconsin, as an example, 76% of submitted soil samples were below critical levels of potassium, down over 10 units from 2000. In many fields potassium levels are very low and getting lower. Low soil K also affects the efficiency of nitrogen utilization. Protein is nitrogen, so in addition to yield loss, low potassium may be affecting protein levels in forages. Low potassium levels also affect stand longevity of perennial crops such as alfalfa. Click here for the complete article.
Freezing rains and ice accumulation during the winter often lead to questions about potential damage to alfalfa stands. If you’re wondering how ice in your fields could be impacting your alfalfa stands, we’re here to answer your questions.
How does ice cause damage to alfalfa?
The freezing temperatures of ice don’t typically cause much damage to alfalfa directly. To cause damage in alfalfa crowns, temperatures need to be significantly below freezing – less than 15°F when plants have hardened off well – 1" to 4" into the soil.
Click here for the complete article.
Prime alfalfa hay (greater than 151 RFV/RFQ) averaged $171/ton for large squares, $309/ton for small squares, and $104/ton for large rounds. Grade 1 hay (125-150 RFV/RFQ) priced at $115/ton for large squares, $112/ton for large rounds, while no price was given for small squares. Grade 2 hay (103-124 RFV/RFQ) averaged $90/ton for large rounds and $101/ton for large squares. Click
here for the complete article.
In his recent article titled, "Fall alfalfa management in 2024"University of Minnesota Forage Extension Agronomist Craig Sheaffer notes, "Excess rainfall in the spring followed by late summer drought has made for another challenging year for growing alfalfa." In the article, Sheaffer answers common questions farmers ask this time of year related to how best to manage alfalfa stands going into winter. Sheaffer advises leaving at least a 6-inch stubble to help insulate plant crowns by catching snow and added, “Fall moisture deficits actually help increase winter survival compared to well-watered conditions. Irrigation is not necessary, and the longer growing season is favorable for the dormancy reaction and accumulation of energy reserves, which should reduce the risk of winter injury.”
Amber Friedrichsen, Managing Editor of Hay & Forage Grower, reminds farmers that bale weight and intake matter for hay feeding. Friedrichsen advises, "As the grazing season shifts to a period of hay feeding, it is time to take inventory of current forage supplies and map out a budget for buying feed. Crunching some numbers and thinking ahead can help make ballpark estimates for purchasing bales more precise." The article includes advice from Mark Johnson of Oklahoma State University Extension who recommends helpful steps to gauge forage needs for the upcoming hay-feeding season.
Senator Amy Klobuchar, set to become the Ranking Member of the Senate Ag Committee, has concerns about extending the current farm bill another year according to a Brownfield News article titled, "Klobuchar Concerned Farm Bill Gets "Lost" if Negotiations Push into 2025." Klobuchar says funding and tax reform will be prominent in 2025,
“which interests all of us in the Midwest in different ways. The farm bill will be just kind of plopping along there, and we’re going to have to try to get floor time or be part of something else. And I am concerned that it will get lost.”
As winter approaches, be sure to check out the University of Nebraska'sPasture and Forage Minute which has new forage-related audio clips such as Storing to Reduce Hay Losses, Corn Stalk Quality After Weathering, and Winter Grazing just to name a few. Be sure to check out these helpful nuggets to get the most out of your forage utilization.
Farmers are encouraged to "Optimize crop growth with manure," in a recent Minnesota Ag Connection article by Scout Nelson in which he says, "Testing manure for its phosphorus content is a critical step in managing its application. Nutrient levels in manure can vary widely depending on factors such as animal diet, housing, and manure storage methods.
Testing ensures that the application rates meet crop needs without leading to excess phosphorus in the soil. In regions like Minnesota, phosphorus availability from manure is estimated at 80% when calculating application rates, although this figure can vary by state or region."
MFA
is pleased to welcome a new member into the MFA family
with the addition of Grow Source, LLC. Grow Source joins MFA as an Allied Industry member.
With over 20 years of agricultural experience, Grow Source, LLC is an innovative source of soil nutrition, seed, and animal nutrition. Grow Source has invested its time and resources in bringing products to the table with proven ROI to propel your operation forward. Grow Source services small and large retailers as well as wholesale, retail, and farm direct distributions in the Midwest.
MFA is pleased to add Grow Source, LLC to its long list of distinguished members. If
you are aware of any other organizations who are not
currently an MFA member but should be, please contact
MFA at mfa@midwestforage.org.
Take Advantage of MFA's "Members-Only" Research
Database
As an MFA member, one of the most valuable resources at your
disposal is MFA's "Members-Only" Research Database,
a one-stop-shop for all of your forage research needs. MFA's
Research Database features every Clippings
and Forage Focus research article, as well as each
MFRP final report. You can also change and personalize your
password after signing in. Your
user name and password can be found on your MFA membership
card or by contacting the MFA office at
mfa@midwestforage.org.
Tour de Forage
Tuesday, January 21; The Event Center, Floodwood, MN
Wednesday, January 22; American Legion, St. Augusta, MN
Thursday, January 23; Civic Center, Stewartville, MN
Symposium
Monday-Wednesday, February 17-19, 2025
Chula Vista Resort
1000 Chula Vista Pkwy
Wisconsin Dells, WI
Data from the Fertilizer Institute show that many states average soil tests are critically low in potassium (shown here). This is especially true for states that produce a lot of forage. Corn yielding 200 bushels per acre and 60-bushel soybean crops remove about 60 pounds of K2O per acre. If the same corn crop is harvested as silage about 240 pounds of K2O is removed - four times more K removal. This magnification of extra potassium removal for forage is much greater for potassium than it is for phosphorus. Like corn silage, four-ton dry matter yield alfalfa also removes about 240 pounds of K2O (Wisconsin Nutrient Management Fast Facts Magazine 2024; Wisconsin Extension Crops and Soils Program). The Fertilizer Institute summarized soil test numbers and found in Wisconsin, as an example, 76% of submitted soil samples were below critical levels of potassium, down over 10 units from 2000. In many fields potassium levels are very low and getting lower. Low soil K also affects the efficiency of nitrogen utilization. Protein is nitrogen, so in addition to yield loss, low potassium may be affecting protein levels in forages. Low potassium levels also affect stand longevity of perennial crops such as alfalfa. 
