For optimum results winter forage needs to be planted as soon as the corn is chopped off. Research in the August 2018 newsletter showed the advantage of fall manure before planting. Our research found (graph at right) incorporated pre-plant fall manure for winter forage may meet the spring nitrogen needs for yield, but NOT meet our forage crude protein goal of >18%. This is a problem as the field crew is busy chopping while you are trying to get the manure on, incorporated, and the winter forage planted. The other problem of trying to meet all the nitrogen needs by applying manure at planting, is the sheer amount of nitrogen this crop can remove.
