You will optimize your input investment by knowing the optimal soil temperatures and following standard recommendation for applications of fertilizers and herbicides. “From a soil fertility standpoint, the standard recom-
mendation is that producers should wait until night- time temperatures are consistently above 60 degrees Fahrenheit before applying fertilizer to ensure plants are actively growing and able to effectively utilize nu- trients,” says Mark McFarland, soil fertility specialist with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. For pre-emergent herbicides to be effective, those
need to be applied before the soils reach optimum tem- perature range for seed germination of the particular weed (this will vary with weed species), explains Olson. “Most pasture and hay meadow herbicides are post
emergent. It’s critical to use post-emergent herbicides during good growing conditions in regards to tempera- ture and moisture availability.” In addition, atmosphere and surface temperature
and humidity can impact drift of herbicide during ap- plication. Always follow herbicide label directions and recommendations (the label is the law). For irrigation one of the main concerns would be
surface temperature that could potentially promote evaporation before the water could be absorbed deeper into the soil. Fertilization is recommended once the forage has germinated and begun to grow. Having ac- tive plant growth helps to ensure that the nutrients are utilized by the desired forage. Humidity at the soil surface can increase the volatilization (escape into atmosphere) of nitrogen.
Tips for taking soil temps There are a number of probes, thermometers and
equipment available to measure soil temperatures. “Of course, the more expensive pieces of equipment are potentially more accurate as well as provide more details than what most producers are looking for,” says Olson. Then there are simple temperature probes that are primarily plug and read, but those may be limited by probe length. Whatever equipment you choose, Olson recommends
collecting soil temperatures in multiple locations in a fi eld/pasture over several days and taking the tempera- tures at the same time of day each time (she recom- mends midday). Then take temperatures at multiple depths. “Keep in mind the depth of the root structure can vary with forage species, as well as how long that forage has been established,” she says.
tscra.org March 2014 The Cattleman 55
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