NPM offers new, free phosphorus publications

Wis. - Does a high phosphorus (P) diet really increase the amount of P in the manure? What are my options for protein sources with less P? If I follow a P-based nutrient management plan will I need more or fewer acres to spread manure than if I follow a nitrogen-based plan? How can I prevent P loss from my fields?

To help answer these questions, the Nutrient and Pest Management (NPM) Program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison/Extension recently produced several new phosphorus publications based on the most current research. The publications are:

* “Dietary Phosphorus Considerations in Dairy Management.” With environmental phosphorus concerns on the rise, dairy producers will want to be informed about dietary options involving phosphorus. This publication focuses on environmental consequences of overfeeding phosphorus, milk production and reproductive implications of lowering dietary phosphorus, and management options for the producer.
* “Management Options for Farms with High Soil Test Phosphorus Levels.” Did your soil test reports come back with high or excessively high levels of phosphorus? This publication suggests management options for farmers with high soil test phosphorus levels. Balancing inputs and outputs of P as well as reducing the risk of phosphorus loss are important factors to consider.
* “When and Where to Apply Manure: Seasonal guidelines for minimizing phosphorus losses from manured fields.” Since phosphorus losses are an environmental concern, do you wonder where the best places to haul your manure would be? This tri-fold brochure lists seasonal guidelines for minimizing phosphorus losses from manured fields. It also explains three principles of sound phosphorus management and details how manure affects runoff phosphorus losses.
* Phosphorus Balancing. (card series) In order to prevent the net build-up or removal of phosphorus in farm fields, a whole farm phosphorus balance must be achieved. This means that the amount of phosphorus entering the farm in the form of fertilizers, feed, etc, must only be as much as the amount of phosphorus leaving the farm in the form of crops, milk, etc. A series of cards was designed to illustrate this concept.
All the publications are available to download at http://ipcm.wisc.edu. Copies also may be ordered from the Nutrient and Pest Management office at 608-265-2660 or npm@hort.wisc.edu. NPM plans to write more phosphorus publications, including one describing phosphorus movement in the landscape and another introducing the Wisconsin phosphorus Index. NPM also provides current information on nitrogen and pest management issues.
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