Oregon State University Extension Service

Soil Nutrient Management Resources for Small Farms

Nutrient Management, Managing nutrients, whether it is synthetic fertilizer or manure and other organic fertilizers requires planning. Determining which type of fertilizer to apply, the application rate and timing are key factors in managing soil to improve crop yield and quality, reduce fertilizer costs and help protect the environment.

Nutrient Management

Eastern Oregon Liming Guide
(https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/em9060)

Liming is a new practice for the inland Pacific Northwest, necessitated by soil acidification caused by nitrogen fertilization. This publication provides guidance on how to evaluate cropping systems for lime need and how to determine lime application rate.

Don Wysocki | May 2013 | OSU Extension Catalog

Evaluating Soil Nutrients and pH by Depth in Situations of Limited or No Tillage in Western Oregon
(https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/em9014)

Many nutrients and lime are not mobile in the soil. When applied to the soil surface without tillage, these materials remain in the top 2 inches, especially in production systems that lack tillage. If a soil sample is taken...

Nicole Anderson, Dan Sullivan, Gene Pirelli | Oct 2010 | OSU Extension Catalog

Monitoring Soil Nutrients Using a Management Unit Approach
(https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/pnw570)

Focuses on how to design a soil nutrient monitoring strategy using management units or zones for soil testing and nutrient application. This approach is designed to provide better information to make nutrient management decisions ...

Dan Sullivan | Oct 2003 | OSU Extension Catalog

Western Oregon and Washington Pasture Fertilizer Guide
(http://forages.oregonstate.edu/fi/topics/pasturesandgrazing/fertilizationandliming/pasturefertilizerguide)

A single fertilization program will not fit all pastures. Determine which combination of grazing management, fertilization, and irrigation fits your resources and environment. Use a soil test and an assessment of forage supply and forage species to determine fertilizer need.

Gene Pirelli, John Hart, Steve Fransen | Mar 2018 | Online resource

Postharvest Soil Nitrate Testing for Manured Grass and Silage Corn (West of the Cascades)
(https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/em8832)

This publication describes the use of postharvest soil nitrate testing as a tool for assessment of nitrogen (N) management in manured cropping systems west of the Cascade Mountains in Oregon, Washington, and south coastal British Columbia.

Dan Sullivan, Linda Brewer | Feb 2021 | OSU Extension Catalog

Agricultural Phosphorus Management Using the Oregon/Washington Phosphorus Indexes
(https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/em8848)

Phosphorus indexes are field-scale qualitative assessment tools that are used to estimate the relative potential for phosphorus (P) loss from a field to surface waters. This publication provides research-based information to assist ...

Dan Sullivan | Dec 2003 | OSU Extension Catalog

Fertilizer and Nutrient Management Guides

Western Oregon and Washington Pasture Fertilizer Guide
(http://forages.oregonstate.edu/fi/topics/pasturesandgrazing/fertilizationandliming/pasturefertilizerguide)

A single fertilization program will not fit all pastures. Determine which combination of grazing management, fertilization, and irrigation fits your resources and environment. Use a soil test and an assessment of forage supply and forage species to determine fertilizer need.

Gene Pirelli, John Hart, Steve Fransen | Mar 2018 | Online resource

Organic Fertilizer Resources

Estimating Plant-Available Nitrogen from Manure
(https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/em8954)

This publication discusses management practices that increase crop nitrogen utilization. It also includes an interactive worksheet for calculating available nutrients supplied by manure application. The worksheet can be used to determine ...

Dan Sullivan | Jan 2008 | OSU Extension Catalog

Predicting Nitrogen Availability from Organic Amendments: laboratory, Field, and Computer Stimulation
(https://extension.oregonstate.edu/sites/default/files/documents/12281/predicting-nitrogen-availability.pdf)

A study to improve the ability to predict nitrogen availability from organic soil amendments, including improved accuracy of Nitrogen availability estimates, to target amendment application rates to meet crop N needs.

Dan Sullivan, E.S. Gale, Delbert Hemphill, Craig Crogger, Andy Bary, E.A. Myhre | Apr 2018 | Publication

Fertilizing with Manure and Other Organic Amendments
(https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/pnw533)

Are you thinking about using manure to fertilize your farm but want more information? Properly managed manure applications recycle nutrients to crops, improve soil quality, and protect water quality. From deciding whether manure is ...

Dan Sullivan | Jun 2016 | OSU Extension Catalog

Fertilizing Farmland with Yard Trimmings from Landscape Maintenance
(http://pubs.wsu.edu/ItemDetail.aspx?ProductID=15889)

Yard trimmings are a beneficial soil amendment that supply plant nutrients and organic matter. They have been successfully used in the production of a variety of annual and perennial crops in Washington State. From deciding whether to use yard trimmings on your farm to learning how to calibrate applications, this publication takes you through the process of fertilizing your farmland with yard trimmings.

Dan Sullivan, Craig Crogger, Andy Bary | Jun 2016 | Online resource

Soil Fertility in Organic Systems: A Guide for Gardeners and Small Acreage Farmers
(https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/pnw646)

This publication discusses the many types of fertilizers and soil amendments available for organic plant production. Fertilizer formulations, nutrient availability, and application practices for common organic products are also explained. ...

Jul 2013 | OSU Extension Catalog

Fertilizers and the Environment

Tree Buffers Along Streams on Western Oregon Farmland
(https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/em8895)

Explores a variety of options for protecting anadromous fish populations in western Oregon river systems while being mindful of trade-offs between farmland production and fisheries and wildlife values. Identifies physical and biological...

Oct 2005 | OSU Extension Catalog

Managing Irrigation Water Quality for Crop Production in the Pacific Northwest
(https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/pnw597)

Focuses on analyses used for typical agricultural irrigation water sources. Discusses sampling procedures, analyses to perform, and hazards from salts, individual nutrients, pH, sodium, carbonates, and lime. Includes numerous examples and reference tables.

Dan Sullivan | Aug 2007 | OSU Extension Catalog

soil in hand
Source URL: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/collection/soil-nutrient-management-resources-small-farms