Ask the Pasture Pros

Whether you need fertilization or weed control for cattle pastures, Southern States has the right products backed by expert advice.

Doug Holbrook (left) and Mike Coates review fertility plans with Larry Woodson, one of the co-op's professional applicators.

Keeping your pastures in top production doesn't happen by accident. It's the result of a well-planned fertilization and weed-control program.

Regardless of what your pasture challenge is, expert help is as close as your Southern States retailer.

Fertility Needs Fulfilled

As a custom hay producer, Mike Coates has built a thriving custom haying business on a reputation for quality. Over the years Coates has learned a few tips to help him produce quality forage from his fields of orchardgrass and timothy hay.

Changing the timing of fertilizer applications is one of the biggest changes the Reva, Va., producer has made. Based in part on recommendations from Southern States, Coates switched to a fall fertilizer program several years ago. "It definitely pays, no question about it," he says.

There are several reasons why fall is the ideal time to fertilize, notes Doug Holbrook. He's a field service advisor at Orange-Madison Co-op, Coates' Southern States retailer in nearby Madison, Va.

"During the fall, plants begin to shut down top growth and root systems speed up activity to help prepare the plant for dormancy," he explains. "When you fertilize during this period, plants store these nutrients. This sets the stage for early, vigorous growth the following spring."

Coates likes the fact that his 400 acres of hay jump-starts with vigorous, leafy growth, giving him a quality first cutting. "More and more of my sales are to the local pleasure horse market," he notes. "These customers insist on and are willing to pay for quality."

Southern States sells and applies all of Coates' fertilizer. The program varies from year to year based on soil tests. "On average, we put out 40 to 50 pounds of nitrogen and 100 to 150 pounds of potash in the fall application," Coates says. "The amount of phosphorus varies more because our soils are so variable."

"I do business with Southern States because of their emphasis on sprayer application services."

He likes to have his fall treat-ment applied in late August or early September. This gives the crop a late-season boost and, when conditions are right, allows him to coax another cutting from his forage crop.

He follows up with a similar application in spring. Then, if early rains are plentiful, he'll hit fields with a third application of nitrogen in late spring. "I manage my nitrogen to produce as much as possible off each cutting," he says.

Because timing and application efficiency are critical for success, Coates says the costs of having nutrients custom applied are worth it. "If you're going to pay someone to spread your fertilizer, you need someone who treats your fields like you would," he notes.

Coates regularly consults with Holbrook to formulate the best plan for his needs. Holbrook's advice, which is based on extensive training to obtain the coveted Certified Crop Advisor designation, is backed by professional applicators who operate the spreader trucks for Orange-Madison Co-op.

"I try to keep the same driver on the same customer's fields, so they know the customer and his land," says David Martens, fertilizer plant manager at Madison. For Coates that driver is Larry Woodson, a 20-year veteran with the co-op.

"Drivers are an important part of the mix," Coates acknowledges. "Application expertise is a major reason I use Southern States."

Wiping Out Weeds

Before investing in inputs, John Bauserman sharpens his pencil. "I take a close look at both price and service before I make a purchasing decision," the Orlean, Va., livestock producer explains.

With 350 brood cows and 2,000 acres of pasture and crop land, a difference in cost of a few cents really adds up.

Bill Duncan (left) and Allen Taylor (right) work with John Bauserman to create a program that fits his specific needs.

"For most larger jobs, such as herbicide or fertilizer applications, I get bids," he says. "Southern States is always competitive on price."

However, Bauserman does not base decisions on price alone. With weed control, for example, a lower price for an alternative product isn't a good deal if the product isn't effective. And when the price of a product includes application services, the quality of application is also a major consideration.

Bauserman knows this firsthand. "I've used competitors' application services before, but I do business with Southern States because of their emphasis on sprayer application services," he explains. "Their service has been extraordinary."

Keeping pastures in peak condition is important to Bauserman because he depends so heavily on forages in his cattle operation. "Usually I sell preconditioned calves soon after weaning, so quality forage directly affects my market weights," he says.

Bauserman depends on the folks at Front Royal Cooperative Inc., his local Southern States retailer in nearby Front Royal, Va., for most of his inputs. Store Manager Allen Taylor says Bauserman is one of his most knowledgeable customers.

"John researches products and programs before he makes decisions," Taylor says. "That makes our job easier, especially when we recommend a new product."

A couple of years ago when Taylor and Bill Duncan, the co-op's local field service advisor, recommended that Bauserman switch to Grazon™ for pasture weed control, he took their advice.

"I've been pleased with the improved weed control, especially on thistle, multiflora rose and coral berry," he notes. "On one field in particular, the Grazon completely cleaned it up. It was infected with Burdock, some as large as wash tubs. The Grazon did the job."

While he says Grazon is a good product, Bauserman credits the efficiency of the co-op's custom application services as a big factor in his effective weed-control program. "I like their response and follow-up; that's why I also use Southern States for fertilizer applications," he says.

Duncan says a lot of credit for Bauserman's satisfaction with the application jobs goes to Jake Crites, the professional applicator who mans Front Royal Co-op's application rigs. "Jake is as good as they come. Some people are drivers of spray trucks, while others like Jake are true professional applicators," Duncan points out.

He adds that the working relationship with Bauserman is a two-way street. "John is easy to work with. He plans ahead, which makes it easier for us to schedule his applications on a timely basis," Duncan says.

Note: Grazon is a contact herbicide that provides excellent control of many of the most common pasture weeds. It can be applied at any time of the year, as long as weeds are actively growing. And once applied it is rainfast in just two hours. Depending on weeds and pasture conditions, application rates vary from 2 to 4 pints of product per acre. Costs ranges from $8.75 to $17.50 per acre. (Grazon is a trademark of Dow Agrosciences.)