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As a rule of thumb, cool season grasses will contain approximately 40 lbs N, 20 lbs P2O5, and 55 lbs K2O per ton of hay dry matter. However, N losses from a hay feeding system can often be in the neighborhood of 75% so that only 25% of the N contained in the hay is returned to the soil and available to be utilized by growing plants. Our current fertilizer prices at Brookfield, MO ($/lb) are: N $0.62, P2O5 $0.75, and K2O $0.50. Using the rule of thumb stated above, we estimate that there is $67.30 worth of nutrients (N, P, and K) contained in a ton of grass hay (this equals $40.38 worth of nutrients per 1200 lb bale). After adjusting for the expected loss of nitrogen from the system, we estimate the value of nutrients returned to the soil from feeding a 1200 pound bale of grass hay is approximately $29.22. Remember to manage nutrient deposition (manure distribution) to areas where it is most needed by unrolling hay, moving bale rings across the landscape, or by space bale feeding. Forage producers can reduce some of their fertilizer bill by accounting for nutrients returned through hay feeding, adding legumes to their pastures, and adjusting soil pH to near neutral. Winter feeding options that will help reduce fertilizer needs include managed (strip grazing) stockpile systems that result in uniform manure/nutrient distribution, bale feeding in areas where additional fertility is needed, unrolling hay to distribute nutrients more evenly across the pasture, and supplement feeding in areas requiring added fertility. When buying hay you should not only consider the feed value of the hay but should also consider the value of nutrients contained within the bale. Often times, purchased hay is a better deal than hay grown and baled on your own farm when considering both feed and nutrient values of the hay.
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