March 19, 2021
Making the most of manure in pastures
By Ryan McGeeney
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Fast Facts:
- Hay and concentrate feeding tend to produce unusually high-nutrient areas
- Can be used to fertilize pasture, if managed properly
(520 words)
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade,” or so the saying goes. Dirk Philipp, associate professor of animal science for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, has some advice for cattle producers and pasture managers who are often blessed with other materials with which to work.
The use of “sacrifice pastures” — pastures where cattle can consume hay without damaging other, more lush pastures in the process — is a common practice for cow/calf operations during the colder parts of the year. But during the winter, when some forage species are entirely dormant, damage can still be done to the swards if cattle feeding isn’t properly managed. (A sward is an expanse of grassland.)
When selecting a location for a sacrifice pasture, Philipp said producers should consider several factors — especially the high nutrient output across a relatively small area that cattle tend to produce when feeding in this sort of situation. The nutrients include nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, or N, P and K.
“Since cattle will very likely be fed with purchased feed, the external nutrient input can be enormous,” he said. “The location should be selected so that the environmental impacts and damage to the grass sward can be minimized, while the potential for recovery during the next growing season will be maximized.”
Philipp said pasture managers should distribute the manure evenly across the field, and tend to it regularly.
“Move hay rings and feeders regularly,” he said. “Don’t just place the hay and feed troughs near the gates — this is where your nutrient levels are high to begin with. Go the extra mile and select feeding areas far away from the gates.”
Because hay and protein supplement feeds typically contain a considerable amount of nutrients, most of which will be excreted when consumed by cattle, producers should be careful not to “burn out” pastures with additional fertilization.
“Make a rough calculation of how much nitrogen and phosphorous you might add to nutrient-poor areas of your farm,” he said, and consider how much of that need will be met by the manure.
Managing the feeding areas can be a bit burdensome, Philipp said, so producers should plan accordingly.
“Things will obviously get a bit messy and muddy when it rains,” he said. “Place hay rings on higher ground with good drainage to minimize the likelihood of muddy conditions, and use the rings consistently. If you place the bales on the ground, cattle will spoil it.”
Moving the hay rings consistently will help better distribute the nutrients as well, he said.
Once spring arrives, and normal grazing replaces hay feeding, producers should use some form of dragging mechanism to spread out the manure piles. This will help distribute nutrients even further, and allow producers the opportunity to make a clear assessment of the field’s canopy.
“I suggest letting the sacrifice pasture rest for a few weeks to monitor weed intrusion and any change you see in forage vegetation compared to the previous year,” Philipp said.
At that point, growers may consider applying herbicides if needed, and make plans for overseeding the pasture to close any major forage gaps.
To learn more about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter at @UAEX_edu.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Media contact:
Ryan McGeeney
Communications Services
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2120
rmcgeeney@uada.edu