Pasture Nutrient Management Resources for Small Farms

This collection of links and publications are compiled information about managing nutrient levels in your pasture. This includes soil testing and assessment, application of fertilizers and minerals, and nutrient cycling in a forage pasture.

A Guide to Collecting Soil Samples for Farms and Gardens

Laboratory soil tests help you develop your soil and increase crop production by providing information on available nutrient content. Soil testing helps you select the correct kind and amount of fertilizer and ...

Melissa Fery, Jeff Choate, Elizabeth Murphy | Nov 2022 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Understanding Soil Health and Biota for Farm and Garden

Like sunlight, water and air, soils are the foundation of life on Earth. Learn how soils link plants, the atmosphere, agriculture, food security, health, the economy and the environment.

Shikha Singh, Linda Brewer, Scott Lukas | Jun 2023 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Applying Lime to Raise Soil pH for Crop Production (Western Oregon)

This publication describes how to estimate lime application rate and lists criteria for choosing liming materials (source), lime application method (placement), and how often to apply lime (frequency).

Nicole Anderson, John M. Hart, Dan M. Sullivan, Neil W. Christensen, Donald A. Horneck, Gene Pirelli | May 2013 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Nutrient Cycling in Pastures

This publication looks at the pathways and drivers that move nutrients into, out of, and within pasture systems. It attempts to provide a clear, holistic understanding of how nutrients cycle through pastures and what the producer can do to enhance the processes to create productive, regenerative, and resilient farm and ranch systems. Effective management of nutrient cycling in pastures is simply understanding how nature cycles nutrients in natural grasslands and then mimicking those processes.

Dave Scott, Nina Prater | Mar 2018 | Online resource

Get Actionable Results from a Soil, Plant or Environmental Testing Lab

Learn how to work with an analytical laboratory to get useful results from your plant tissue, soil or water samples.

Shannon Cappellazzi, Clare Sullivan, Gordon B. Jones, Linda Brewer | May 2024 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

May 2017

Want to learn more about this topic? Explore more resources from OSU Extension: Pasture and forages

Was this page helpful?

Related Content from OSU Extension

What is this weed that has overtaken my pasture?

This weed has overtaken my horse pasture in large amounts this year. I’m trying to identify it and I’ve come up with two possibilities but I’m not sure which one it is. Possibly hedge mustard or creeping yellowcress? ...

Melissa Fery | Jul 2024 | Featured question

Don't wait to make a weed management plan

Pesky weeds often go undetected in pastures until summertime when they’re in full bloom. And by that time, the best that can be done is to limit the spread of seed and then prepare a management strategy for next season.

Melissa Fery | Mar 2007 | Article

Managing Hypochaeris Radicata may prevent Stringhalt Disease in horses

A debilitating condition in horses called stringhalt may be associated with Hypochaeris radicata also known as false dandelion, flatweed, common catsear or summer dandelion. This invasive species is common in pastures throughout ...

Melissa Fery | Jun 2024 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Living on the Land - Spring Pasture Safety Check

Conducting a thorough and careful inspection of your pasture in the spring can help assure a healthy pasture and healthy livestock.

Brian Tuck, Susan Kerr, Shilah Olson, Ellen Hammond | Mar 2013 | Video Peer reviewed (Gray level)

How to starve animals with a full stomach

Some poor-quality hay can’t supply basic nutritional requirements to livestock or allow for proper growth, lactation, pregnancy or work, but livestock owners can avoid problems by understanding basic principles related to hay, legume, mixed-grass or legume hay.

Susan Kerr | Jul 2018 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Poisonous Plants Commonly Found in Pastures

Pastures often contain weeds that are potentially dangerous to livestock. The toxic compounds in plants are usually a defense mechanism against predation and have a distinct, unpleasant odor or a bitter taste and are not ...

Mylen Bohle, David Hannaway, Andy Hulting, Karin Neff | Apr 2018 | Collection

Living on the Land supports small-acreage landowners in the south Willamette Valley

OSU Extension collaborates with Oregon’s Soil and Water Conservation Districts and watershed councils to develop the series to best address natural resources concerns in the local area.

Melissa Fery | Apr 2024 | Impact story

Greener pastures: Improving forage production

The potential of a pasture can only be realized when the conditions of growing forage are optimized. Learn how to find the current and potential forage yield of a pasture — and if improvements are worth the investment.

Shelby Filley | Jun 2012 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Feeding beef cattle cull onions

Feeding cull onions to beef cattle can be a way to dispose of culls and reduce costs for beef cattle producers. Feeding too many onions, however, can cause potentially fatal poisoning. Learn how to take advantage of this feed option by following safety practices.

Sergio Arispe | Jan 2019 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

How to sample a lot of hay

Sampling hay is important to obtain an accurate forage test, which is necessary if you intent to sell, purchase, or feed hay. This video will highlight how to properly obtain a representative sample of hay from a single ...

Sergio Arispe | Nov 2016 | Video

What causes nitrate toxicity in beef cattle?

Nitrate toxicity is a non-infectious and potentially lethal condition whereby cattle consume forages, feedstuffs, or water sources with excessive nitrate concentrations. Recognize factors to allow managers to prevent nitrate toxicity before it becomes costly to the cattle operation.

Sergio Arispe | Nov 2016 | Video

Common Crupina

Small flowering plant that poses a threat to rangeland.

Mary Corp | Oct 2018 | Article

Foxtail control in pastures and hayground

Foxtail is a problematic grass in pastures and hayground, and infestations need immediate attention. Small infestations of foxtail should be spot treated, while larger infestations require whole pasture renovation. This informational ...

Shelby Filley | Jul 2022 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

How to identify forage plants in your pasture or hayfield

Knowing exactly what's growing in a pasture or a hayfield is one of the first steps in proper management. Take advantage of resources online or through an Extension office to get help identifying forage plants.

Shelby Filley | May 2020 | Article

Benefits of belonging to an agriculture organization

For farmers and ranchers, belonging to agricultural and ranching associations promotes common interests and fosters connections that are extremely important to the business or pleasure of farming and ranching.

Shelby Filley | Aug 2019 | Article

Custom Rates - Malheur County

Cost summary for custom operations and directory of operators in Malheur County

Russell Smith-Ollivierre | Jun 2024 | Fact Sheet

Weeds in Pastures and Hayground Collection

Here is a collection of our favorite resources for weeds in pastures and hay ground. It includes sections on aquatic weed, OSU resources, Pesticide/Herbicide, Poisonous Plants, Weed Control, and Noxious and invasive weeds.

Aug 2019 | Collection

Have a question? Ask Extension!

Ask Extension is a way for you to get answers from the Oregon State University Extension Service. We have experts in family and health, community development, food and agriculture, coastal issues, forestry, programs for young people, and gardening.

Ask us a question