Evaluation of Agronomic Practices and Quality Parameters of Timothy Hay
Determine how important maintenance fertilizer management is to maintain timothy stands and quality. Also whether additions of the micronutrient Cu are beneficial in maintenance of green color in timothy.
IPNI-2002-CAN-SK33
11 Mar 2003
2002 Annual Interpretive Summary
Evaluation of Agronomic Practice and Quality Parameters of Timothy Hay, 2002
Production of compressed timothy hay for the export market has been a major growth industry in western Canada over the last 10 years. Japan is the largest market for this hay, with smaller quantities being exported to Korea, Taiwan, and the U.S. Yields of 4 to 6 tons/A under irrigation and 2 to 4 tons/A under dryland have been obtained in provincial trials. The effect of annual maintenance applications of potassium (K) and sulfur (S) on timothy yield, persistence and quality, and the effect of copper (Cu) applications on hay color is an area that requires supporting data for growth of the industry. In addition, information on the role of phosphorus (P) requirements for maintaining the productivity of irrigated timothy is lacking. The objective of this study is to determine how important maintenance fertilizer management is to maintain timothy stands and quality.
Drought conditions prevented the establishment of field plot trials in 2002 as part of the proposed research. Preliminary results from strip trials laid out on established irrigated timothy hay fields indicate that there were some positive yield responses to application of monoammonium phosphate fertilizer. Detailed evaluation of the tissue sample data collected will be required to establish the impact of both nitrogen (N) and P applied in this nutrient source. SK-33