Good or Bad?
Good! Improved pasture quality will reduce erosion and runoff more than offsetting any increase in soluble phosphorus concentrations in runoff due to higher soil test levels. A pasture has extremely high soil test levels on the soil surface. A farmer is considering tilling the pasture to reduce surface soil test phosphorus levels. Good or bad? Bad! Any benefit from reduced phosphorus levels on the surface of the soil will be offset by the potential for excessive erosion from the tilled field. A farmer has been applying two year’s worth of phosphorus in a single application. To improve water quality he plans to apply half as much in an application but apply phosphorus every year. Good or bad? Bad! There is no water quality benefit from splitting the phosphorus applications into two trips across the field. Splitting phosphorus applications will increase the cost of fertilizer management.
