2008 Grass Hay Study – Rye Grass

Crop:

Rye Grass

Test Plot Location:

Sharp Ranch

Hagansport, TX

Soil Type:

Gumbo, Sand

Planting Methods:

NA

Agronomists, Crop Scouts, Facilitators or Witnesses:

Mr. John Minoletti

Mr. G.W. Sharp

Objective:

The objective of this result demonstration was to measure the yield and quality of the rye grass when Grasshopper Fertilizer is applied.

Materials and Methods:

Materials and methods used for this experiment were as follows; The test location consisted of a 60 acre pasture / hay field of rye grass. The field was then separated and marked into 2, 30 acre sections. One 30 acre section was fertilized, the other 30 acre section was not. The fertilizer used in the application was Grasshopper Fertilizer 30-10-10 containing micronutrients (Boron .02, Copper .05, Iron .10, Manganese .05, Molybdenum .001 and Zinc .05). The 30-10-10 blend was used at a rate of 12.5 lbs per acre and combined with Grazon at a rate of 1 pint per acre. The application was made on April 2nd. The grass was approximately 4 inches tall at the time of application.

Table I. Fertilizer and Rates Used in Study

Results and Discussion:

1st analysis:

On April 23rd, both sections were analyzed and photographed. The rye grass in the fertilized section was thicker, greener and 6 inches taller on average. The control section was very thin.

2nd analysis:

On May 15th, both sections were harvested / cut for hay. The grass was rolled into 4×5 round bales. The field that was fertilized with Grasshopper Fertilizer produced 123 round bales. The control section produced 88 round bales. The 30 acres sprayed with Grasshopper Fertilizer yielded 4.1 bales per acre compared to the control section which yielded 2.93 bales per acre. The Grasshopper Fertilizer section was a darker green and was considerably thicker. The round bales from the Grasshopper Fertilizer section were 119 lbs heavier on average.

Conclusion:

Fertilizers have been proven to play an important role in crop production. Although many commercial fertilizers have been shown to increase yields, many of these products are unable to generate a yield increase large enough to cover the input cost of the fertilizer application. Grasshopper Fertilizer is the exception. On average, Grasshopper Fertilizer has generated a revenue increase per acre that is 2-3 times greater than the input cost of the application. By increasing root development and supplying nutrients directly to the plant, Grasshopper Fertilizer helps the plant achieve maximum growth throughout a variety of adverse growing conditions.

Our Research and Development Department will continue testing forage and grass in addition to corn, wheat, cotton, milo, rice, alfalfa, canola, etc. We will also be working with a number of Universities and Agriculture Departments who will be participating in these tests.

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