Is There an Economic Advantage to Planting Diverse Summer Annual Forage Mixtures?

Authors

Kelly Mercier, USDA-ARS Pasture Systems and Watershed Management Research UnitFollow
Chris Teutsch, University of Kentucky Research and Education Center
Ray Smith, University of Kentucky Department of Plant and Soil Sciences
Kenny Burdine, University of Kentucky Department of Agricultural Economics
Edwin Ritchey, University of Kentucky Research and Education Center
Eric Vanzant, University of Kentucky Department of Animal and Food Sciences

Volume

60

Issue

4

DOI

10.34068/joe.60.04.16

Abstract

This study examined economic implications of planting summer annual mixtures of grasses, legumes, and forbs at varying nitrogen rates. No differences in yield occurred between the three mixtures, indicating that mixtures with lowest seed cost will be most economical. Applying N resulted in yield increases of 12.26 lb DM per lb N applied. Although yield responses to N were positive, sensitivity analyses showed that applying N resulted in positive net returns only when hay prices were high and N prices were low. When utilization rates are accounted for, enterprise budgets determined grazing to be 18% cheaper to implement than haying.

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Recommended Citation

Mercier, K., Teutsch, C., Smith, R., Burdine, K., Ritchey, E., & Vanzant, E. (2022). Is There an Economic Advantage to Planting Diverse Summer Annual Forage Mixtures?. The Journal of Extension, 60(4), Article 16. https://doi.org/10.34068/joe.60.04.16