Economics of Fertilizer Application on Range and Meadow Sites in Utah

Abstract

Forage production response to nitrogen and phosphorus application on six Utah range and meadow sites was subjected to economic analysis. There was no response to phosphorus application, but nitrogen resulted in significant increases in forage production on three sites. When forage was harvested as hay, nitrogen application proved to be a profitable practice on semiwet meadow and mountain loam sites. Fall application was more profitable than spring on both sites. Nitrogen application proved unprofitable when increased production was valued in terms of range forage. Nitrogen application would become profitable, however, if there was either a slight increase in AUM prices or a small decrease in nitrogen price.