In late 2021, fertilizer prices reached an all-time high.  As a result, many cattle farmers greatly reduced or skipped fertilizer applications in 2022.  Without a change in management, disregarding soil fertility will result in a reduction in animal performance due to poor performance of forages.  

During the fall of 2022, the Adair County Extension ANR utilized data collected in previous years of bale grazing demonstrations and other published works to develop the program “Cattle Farming with Less Fertilizer.”  The program took an in-depth view of the nutrient cycle that occurs in cattle farming and revealed management strategies to reduce the need to import synthetic fertilizer on the farm.

The first offering of “Cattle Farming with Less Fertilizer” was held in December 2022.  A total of 25 cattle farmers attended.  Post-surveys conducted one month after the program revealed that 100% of respondents reported an increase in knowledge of soil fertility and managing nutrients.   100% of respondents also reported some level of adaption of practices to improve soil fertility utilizing hay feeding strategies, grazing practices, and manure utilization.  

A second offering of “Cattle Farming with Less Fertilizer” is planned for February 2023.  Additional on-farm research is also in progress to improve our understanding of the nutrient cycle in cattle operations and to identify practical management strategies for farmers to implement raise cattle with less dependence on fertilizer.