Success StoryCattle Farming with Less Fertilizer



Cattle Farming with Less Fertilizer

Author: Nick Roy

Planning Unit: Adair County CES

Major Program: Forages

Plan of Work: Strengthening Adair County's Agriculture Industry

Outcome: Long-Term Outcome

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.






Stories by Nick Roy


Raised Beds Raise Spirits

about 1 years ago by Nick Roy

In Adair County, the Extension Master Gardeners are working diligently to improve the quality and qu... Read More


Collaborative Effort Tackles Weeds in Forages

about 1 years ago by Nick Roy

In 2022, the Adair County Agriculture Advisory Council identified weed control in hay and pasture fi... Read More


Stories by Adair County CES


Grow your Garden, Grow your Mind

about 1 years ago by Dylan Gentry

According to the National Survey of Drug Use and Health in 2021, 23.05% of people in Kentucky report... Read More


Raised Beds Raise Spirits

about 1 years ago by Nick Roy

In Adair County, the Extension Master Gardeners are working diligently to improve the quality and qu... Read More


Stories by Forages


Improving Hay quality for the producer and consumer in Eastern Kentucky

Improving Hay quality for the producer and consumer in Eastern Kentucky

about 1 years ago by Jimmy Henning

UK Specialist/Agent/Industry Partnership Results in successful hay day at the Robinson Center for Ap... Read More


Online Forages Training for Small Ruminant Producers goes live in late 2022.

Online Forages Training for Small Ruminant Producers goes live in late 2022.

about 1 years ago by Jimmy Henning

Online Forages Training for Small Ruminant Producers goes live in late 2022.Specialists involved: Ji... Read More