Nitrogen Fertilizer Guide for First-Year Small Grains Following Alfalfa

Authors

Matt Yost, Utah State UniversityFollow
Collin Pound, Utah State UniversityFollow
Earl Creech, Utah State UniversityFollow
Grant Cardon, Utah State UniversityFollow
Jody Gale, Utah State UniversityFollow
Michael Pace, Utah State UniversityFollow
Boyd Kitchen, Utah State UniversityFollow
Steve Price, Utah State UniversityFollow
Kevin Heaton, Utah State University ExtensionFollow
Mark Nelson, Utah State UniversityFollow
Trent Wilde, Utah State UniversityFollow
Katie Russell

Document Type

Factsheet

Publisher

Utah State University Extension

Publication Date

7-28-2020

First Page

1

Last Page

7

Abstract

Nitrogen (N) fertilizer is one of the most expensive crop inputs. It is an essential nutrient for most crops and often increases yield more than any other nutrient. Small grains are no exception. Alfalfa is the dominant crop in Utah in terms of area and gross sales, and as a nitrogen-fixing legume, it does not require nitrogen fertilizer. When terminated, alfalfa usually leaves a lot of nitrogen in the soil for subsequent crops. The amount of nitrogen that it supplies to following crops has been termed the “alfalfa N credit.” In many cases, this credit can be up to 300 lbs. N/acre for the two crops following alfalfa. This fact sheet addresses the nitrogen fertilizer needs of small grains grown for forage and for grain and corresponding economics.

Recommended Citation

Yost, Matt; Pound, Collin; Creech, Earl; Cardon, Grant; Gale, Jody; Pace, Michael; Kitchen, Boyd; Price, Steve; Heaton, Kevin; Nelson, Mark; Wilde, Trent; and Russell, Katie, "Nitrogen Fertilizer Guide for First-Year Small Grains Following Alfalfa" (2020). All Current Publications. Paper 2120.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/extension_curall/2120