According to NASS USDA statistics for 2023, Kentucky has over 1.98 million acres of grass hay.  Agriculture leaders in Mason County defined a need to demonstrate response of cool season grass hay to chemical fertilizers.   The desire was to develop a demonstration of grass hay’s response to fertility levels of varying fertilizer products locally including lime.   University of Kentucky Extension Agriculture Agents from the Buffalo Trace counties collaborated with University of Kentucky Forage Specialist to design and develop a practical demonstration that could provide data for quantitative differences.  The demonstration was designed with 12 analysis tests that would be replicated three times randomly in 36 plots measuring 10’ X 30’.  Varying rates of fertilizers were applied as tests, along with a foliar growth promoter, and a control.  In addition three tests added a weed control with the specified fertility rates for comparison.  A lime only test was added plus all plots received equal lime amounts excluding the control and control plus weed control.  Initial lime, weed control, foliar growth promoter, and fertility rates were added to each specific plot as designed in early April.    The design required additional fertility additions to certain plots after the first harvest in May and the second harvest in August.  Data collected from each harvest was compared and analyzed in comparison to controls set by the demonstration design.  

In efforts to provide demonstrated data results to local producers, a Forage Fertility Field Day was held in September to discuss observations and the collected data from the study.  Over 70 participants from five counties gathered to learn more about fertility response in grass forages.  Discussions about cost of return to adding fertilizer as defined by the data collected during the demonstration was well received by the participants.  Two key data points collected during the demonstration illustrated that applying mid to maximum recommended rates split over the growing season has statistical advantages, and second weed control alone without fertility improvement can decrease yield in grass hay field with moderate clover.   

In addition, many of the attendees participated in a no-till drill calibration demonstration.  Two different types of drills offered as cost-share equipment in two counties were present on site for a calibration demonstration.   Having two different brands allowed the audience to see differences in calibration techniques depending on the manufacturer.  Multiple producers commented on how practical the event was from a farm adoption strategy.  One producer contacted a speaker thanking them for the time involved with the demonstration and saying that several pieces of information provided were going to be implemented on his farm.