Fertilize in Februrary
I guess everyone is aware just how expensive fertilizer is this year. Last report showed Nitrogen was almost $0.70 per pound. That is expensive! You do not have control over fertilizer prices, but you do have control of if and when you fertilize. Cool season pastures and hay field should be fertilized before March 15.
Common cool season grasses are fescue, orchardgrass, and ryegrass. In clover grass mixtures limit nitrogen to a maximum 40 pounds per acre. Pastures with clover mixes should also be grazed sooner so the clover does not get shaded out. Start grazing when it reaches six to eight inches and remove animals when it is down to three. Grass mono-cultures should be grazed stating at eight to ten inches and stop grazing at three or four.
Lastly . . . if you can . . . don't start grazing immediately when it greens up in late March. Give forages a chance to replenish their reserves and strengthen the root system.
