Maximizing Fall and Winter Grazing of Beef Cows and Stocker Cattle

Bulletin 872-98

Date of Nitrogen Application

The date of nitrogen fertilizer application can influence yield and quality of the stockpiled fescue. In general, nitrogen should be applied when the stockpiling period is initiated (soon after the last summer harvest). If nitrogen is applied during early August compared with late September, yields will be higher, but forage quality will be slightly lower (Table 4). If nitrogen is applied after mid-August in northern Ohio and late August in southern Ohio, less yield response can be expected in most years because of the shorter growing period. Forage yield and quality response to late nitrogen applications will depend on growing conditions during the fall. Later applications followed by dry weather will yield disappointing results. Early applications increase the chance of significant rainfall after nitrogen application.