Does fertilizing forages with salt have any effect on the potassium concentrations in the forage?
A. Yes it can, depending on the type of forage and the soil potassium level. Recent British research showed that applying salt (50 lbs/acre) to perennial ryegrass pastures decreased forage potassium levels and increased forage sodium levels. This would be especially helpful to dairy farmers trying to reduce potassium levels in their dry cow diets. Excess potassium has been associated with milk fever and udder edema.
