subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite map
Sun, Jul 05 2009 

Published July 04, 2008 11:35 am - A sure way to raise a good crop of weeds or cedars in Southeast Kansas is to use no fertilizer or legumes in fescue fields.

Farm: Legumes improve forage quality



By Mike Surbrugg

msurbrugg@joplinglobe.com

MOUND VALLEY, Kan. — A sure way to raise a good crop of weeds or cedars in Southeast Kansas is to use no fertilizer or legumes in fescue fields.

Two speakers at a beef and forage field day held May 1 at Kansas State University’s Southeast Agricultural Research Center’s Mound Valley unit discussed fertilizer and legumes.

Doug Shoup, KSU area extension crops and soils specialist, said KSU recommendations for phosphorus and potassium fertilizer on pastures are a good investment even with soaring fertilizer costs.

Only a soil test can determine how much lime, phosphorus and potassium is needed, he said. Soil test details can be obtained at county extension offices.

Nitrogen is needed for plant growth each growing season.

“If you need grass, you need fertilizer. Using little nitrogen means less forage,” he said.

For 30 years, studies in Southeast Kansas have shown the benefits of planting legumes in established fescue fields.

Legumes make nitrogen available to the grass and at the same time improve forage quality, said Joe Moyer, forage agronomist at KSU’s Southeast Agricultural Research Center.

Studies also show red clover, bird’s-foot trefoil and alfalfa are the best legumes to plant in fescue in Southeast Kansas, he said.

Moyer also cited studies that show legumes have more benefits than using commercial nitrogen.

In a perfect world, bird’s-foot trefoil is an excellent legume, but it is difficult to get it established in fescue. Chemicals to slow fescue growth are needed to give trefoil a chance to become established, he said. Trefoil causes no animal bloating, survives drought and has shallow roots.

It is such a secret that some farmers got their first close look at bird’s-foot trefoil that was growing in a pot that Moyer brought to the meeting.

Mike Surbrugg is The Joplin Globe’s farm editor.



print this story    email this story    comment on this story   

Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.


Add a comment on this story





monster
autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Click here!!

We Blog!
We Pod Cast!

We Twitter!

: Special Offer For New Subscribers : 32 buy 1 get 1 free offers

Click Here!

TV LIsitngs



Find a job! Find a Home! Find a car!
Featured Jobs

LIFEGUARDS
All shifts available, Apply in person at either Joplin Family Y location.
www.joplinfamilyy.org.
...>MORE

GROWING DENTAL PRACTICE
looking for experienced Dental Assistant. Computer knowledge a must. Resumes: 2710 Picher, Joplin, MO 64804. Deadline by...>MORE

DRIVERS WANTED
DRIVERS WANTED Drivers needed for Waste Corporation of Joplin, a growing company in the Joplin and surrounding areas. ...>MORE

UP IN FLAMES
WOOD FIRE PIZZA AND PASTA now hiring MANAGERS, SERVERS, BARTENDER Apply 1612 S. Madison, Webb City, behind Subway...>MORE

TEAMS NEEDED

SIGN-ON BONUS $3000
Benefits and West Coast
$$ Scheduled Raises $$
HIGH MILES WEEKLY
72hrs
...>MORE

MED TECH SUPERVISOR
Med TECH SUPERVISOR Excellent Salary and Benefits
Apply in person or send resume: Nevada Medical Clinic
Atte
...>MORE

GROWING DENTAL PRACTICE
looking for experienced Dental Assistant. Computer knowledge a must. Resumes: 2710 Picher, Joplin, MO 64804. Deadline by...>MORE

TRUCK MECHANIC

needed for Waste Corporation of Joplin. Competitive pay and benefits package. Requires candidate to own hand tools
...>MORE

ACCOUNTANT.

Expanding CPA firm: full time, degree/ computer skills required. Audit/tax experience preferred. Send resume to P
...>MORE

NURSING PROGRAM COORDINATOR

for Crowder College in Cassville. Requires Master‚s in Nursing and two years of experience within the last five ye
...>MORE

See all ads

Featured Transportation

2006 CHEVROLET HHR LT
automatic, 40,000 miles, loaded with options, $6200. (417)434-2949....>MORE

1999 CHEVROLET TAHOE
2 door, 2 wheel drive, barn door rear, lowered, custom paint/grill/wheels, asking $5500. (417)781-1932, or cell (417)437...>MORE

2005 HONDA SHADOW VLX 600
2,000 miles, color white, $3950. (417)673-3860....>MORE

GMC, 2006
2500 4x4, regular cab/bed, 133,000 miles, $9850. (417)214-0022....>MORE

1957 CHEVROLET
2 door post, project, rust free Texas car, no motor or transmission, good Missouri title, $7500.
Bob 417-781-1932
...>MORE

NEED 2 DRIVERS
with 3 years plus $ miles with turn arounds back to Joplin, MO. Home often. 417-325-7320....>MORE

LEXUS 2002 ES
LEXUS, 2002 ES 300, silver/gray leather, navigation, heated seats, second owner, 94,000 miles, $10,900. 620-856-2804, 41...>MORE

LEHMAN TRIKE
LEHMAN TRIKE, 2007, excellent condition, rider has health problems. $20,500. Serious inquires only. (417)529-9554....>MORE

1990 GMC HIGH SIERRA
short wide bed, 2 wheel drive, V-8, power windows/locks, air, CD, tinted windows, chrome wheels. $2,000 or best offer. (...>MORE

FORD 2001 ESCORT
FORD, 2001 Escort, 4 cylinder, automatic, good condition. $1800. (417)437-5682....>MORE

See all ads

Featured Homes

OWNER FINANCE
OWNER FINANCE. $650 down, $435 monthly. 201 N. Washington, Joplin, 3 BR, garage, Full price $32,500. 417-359-4113. ...>MORE

INVESTORS OR START-UP
INVESTORS OR START-UP 1217 Central. $67500 2 bedroom, 1 bath, very nice,room to build more. See more at homesbyowner.co...>MORE

OPEN HOUSE
OPEN HOUSE 7/5/09 1:00-4:00 2281 sq. ft. Updated kitchen 4 br + bonus room 2 living areas Metal roof. Stapleton school ...>MORE

HANDYMAN SPECIAL
Handyman Special, only $500 down, owner financing, 11% interest, $345/ month, priced at $23,900. 1120 W. 12th Street (41...>MORE

LAKE FRONT MOBILE
Lake Front Mobile Grove, OK 1972 14 X 46 1 Bedroom, 1 bath lake front mobile home weekend getaway. Complete with furn...>MORE

2-3 BR
Basement, newly remodeled, oak cabinets, nice wood floors, privacy fence. $79,200. 2525 N. Ozark. (417)483-0900....>MORE

See all ads

Other Cool Stuff

24' BAJA OUTLAW
24’ BAJA Outlaw beautiful closed bow boat, 454 Mag, all options, excellent condition, low hours with 2005 trailer, $16,0...>MORE

YORKIE-CHORKIE
Yorkie-Chorkie, 6 weeks, weight 12 oz. and up. 417-358-4202....>MORE

2002 LOWE TAHITI
2002 Lowe Tahiti 22 Deck Boat with 2002 Johnson 150 hp motor, fully loaded and lake ready, $12,500. (620)856-5165 or (41...>MORE

MINI SCHNAUZERS
8 weeks AKC house breaking underway, vet checked/healthy. rsfieker@yahoo.com 417-235-3168....>MORE

SHIH-TZU PUPPIES
$125 each; Shih-tzu adults free to a good home, (417)439-5568....>MORE

WANTED; 2006 OR NEWER BUMPER TRAILER
WANTED: 2006 or newer 28-29’ bumper hitch travel trailer with slide, in excellent condition. (417)235-3402....>MORE

INDEPENDENCE DAY BLOW OUT SALE

20% off all grocery items
20% off all cleaning supply items
20% off all refrigerators, dishwashers, deep
...>MORE

ANTIQUE RADIO
ANTIQUE Radio; hanging lamps; china cabinet; carnival glass; Singer featherweight machine; 2 ladies and men diamond ring...>MORE

ATTEMPTING TO LOCATE
realitives of late father, Aziel Murphy, who married Maxine Steele, of Oklahoma, on June 10, 1929. Contact Tresa Collins...>MORE

NASCAR
Indy Brick Yard 400, 7/26/09,
2 at $90. 417-483-1460.
...>MORE

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index

 

 

The Joplin Globe Electronic Edition