A typical nutrient program for Alfalfa production in Kansas and Oklahoma conditions.  

The starting point for the soil is 6.8 to 7.6 pH at Ulysses, KS with adequate calcium and magnesium.  

The calculations for dry fertilizer application at 630 lbs. per acre, annual applications,  competing with TAPPKTS (310 lbs.) deep banded 8 inches at $64.00 to $74.00 per acre.
Setting goals of 8 to 10 tons per acre of Alfalfa Production. Typically No-tillage Alfalfa is not considered due to all the front money invested in fertilizer.

Dry fertilizer application costing $213.00 per acre per year at the $200 per acre rate for 8 ton Alfalfa.
Dry fertilizer not applied VRT-Site specific due to high CV application of two products not blended well.
Dry fertilizer surface applied creating root bound Alfalfa.
Dry fertilizer applied Boron and Mn at excessive rates due to dry blending and lack of homogenous connection.  

In general application and liquid fertilizer TAPPKTS+micros and Fulvic will cost half of the dry fertilizer program. 

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A true No-Tillage system out-competing a tillage and top dressing  fertilizer system.

Perennial Crops Perform Well With Mustangs, Hybrid Coastal Bermuda Grass and Alfalfa.

How to get started in your new Alfalfa management project. 

Find an Exactrix TAPPKTS Formulator tool bar you can rent or have custom applied.

No major investment is required to make another $350 to $500 per acre.  

• Establishment Year. No-tillage deep banding in pre-plant to start the initial stand. $74.00.
   
• Second Year.    Skip Year. Alfalfa Plant reaching full potential, tissue sampling begins. 
   
• Third Year as dormancy breaks. No-tillage deep banding TAPPKTS with micros. Feb. March, $74.00 TAPPKTS+ micros cost.  Tissue Sampling trend line begins in the third year. Yield monitoring begins.
   
• Fourth Year as dormancy breaks. Tissue Sampling Trend Line, As needed and most likely K will need to be raised from 10 to 20 gallons per acre an additional $32.25 per acre and most likely VRT Site Specific applied. $106.32 Total per acre.
   
• Fifth Year as dormancy breaks. Tissue sampling Trend Line,  indicates K is to remain the same at 20 gallons or 60 lbs. of K2O. VRT-Site specific is employed based on tissue samples and/or yield monitors.
   
• Sixth Year as dormancy breaks. Tissue sampling Trend Line. indicates K is good in the exported hay and that P can be increased to 20 gallons of P2O5. K is reduced to 10 gallons and P is increased an additional $15.56 per acre. Total $89.56/A.
   
• Seventh Year as dormancy breaks. Tissue Sampling Trend Line. indicates P and K is good. Plant health is good and rates can return to VRT-Site specific at $74.00 per acre.
   
• Eighth Year as dormancy breaks, Tissue sampling indicates P and K is good. Plant health is good. Nutrient prices double and Alfalfa does not. Rates are cut in half to $74.00 per acre. RBL, Rotational Band Loading carries the crop.
   
• Ninth Year as dormancy breaks, Water rationing begins and available water is reduced in half. Alfalfa price doubles at half normal yields. The price of nutrients is reviewed. RBL Rotational Band Loading will carry the crop, Rates are cut in half and $37.50 per acre.
   
• Tenth Year as dormancy breaks, Water rationing continues, No other alternatives than to stick with Alfalfa since it is the crop that can handle drought. Rates of nutrients remain at $37.50 per acre. VRT-Site Specific application of nutrients is critical and award winning. A recognized means to effectively No-till Alfalfa and raise very economic crops without tearing out stands of soil saving, Alfalfa crops.

A final note: A National Award is given in 2031 by our new American Carbon Society, for saving soil, keeping carbon in the soil and keeping agriculture profitable using less and getting more.  

What about Yield?

Typically at Oklahoma State University Tests, R.W. Mullen and others,  banding P into Alfalfa sod was discovered to improve yields 1.8 to 2.1 tons per acre. The process was not superior when 10-34-0 was shank banded into Alfalfa stands. Tearing and damage of roots occurred and uniformity of application was not published.

Yield information is included below.

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Considering Yield and Quality banding can be easily justified with an additional $200 to $350 of income at current Dairy Quality Alfalfa pricing.  

Up to $150 per acre less nutrient is required.  

Producers can expect net incomes of $350 to $500 more per acre annually.

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TAPPS is Crystalline Tri-Ammonium Poly Phosphate Sulfate combined in the soil at 1%CV at 1% CV at 300 psi injection.

TAPPKTS is Crystalline Tri Ammonium Poly Phosphate Potassium Thio-Sulfate combined in the soil at 1% CV at 300 psi injection.

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Pre-plant banding allows establishment of Alfalfa at 75 degrees F without blowing soil using No-tillage techniques in heavy residue in September, October, November. 

For certain,  15 inch bands provide immediate access by 10 inch seed row spacing, alfalfa when TAPPKTS plus Micros and Fulvic Acid is banded to 8 inch depths.

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Rotational Band Loading of Alfalfa results in highly efficient placed bands to utilize place nutrients at double and triple previous performance from top dressing.

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Phosphate Banding. Alfalfa Finds a New Friend.

Alfalfa Soil & Plant Health Analysis Click Here

Click for Current nutrient costs.

DTN-Progressive Farmer, Link August 7.

What is the cost of the nutrients? What is the Blend? How do I get it done?  

http://www.exactrix.com/Broadcast_09_03_2019.html  Recovering Old Alfalfa stands at the 7^th year.

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Rental Machines and locations.

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Located at Hugoton, $16.00 per acre at 1,000 acres. Rental rate applies within 80 miles of Hugoton.

Exactrix owners rent for $14.00 acres, Less Training is required.  Contact Joel McClure.   

Exactrix pays back $1,000 for STEEP test Plots.

25% of the rental applies to purchase for this Mustang Yielder, 3 section,  3015, dual product machine.

Liquid tanks on tractor, Lift assist.

Goodland, KS.

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Exactrix Tool Bar, Located at Goodland, $16.00 per acre at 1,000 acres. Rental rate applies within 80 miles of Hugoton.

Exactrix owners rent this bar for $14.00 acres, Less Training is required.

Exactrix pays back $1,000 for STEEP test Plots.

25% of the rental applies to purchase for this Mustang Yielder, 3 section wing up solid tool bar 7 x 7,

 3015, dual product machine.

Liquid tanks on tractor.  

Pullman, Washington.

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Call Exactrix Spokane for quote. 1,000 acres Minimum in the Pacific Northwest.

12 inch band centers at 36 feet in 2 point.

St. John Washington.

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12 inch band spacing Deere 1890/95 series openers. Heavy blades.

Four section machine. Contact Exactrix.

Dalhart,  Texas.

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Model Mustang 3015, 15 inch band centers. Orthman Tool Bar Conversion.

Andy Cover, Dalhart/Hartley on the XIT,

Direct number. 806-340-6088

Sexsmith, Alberta.

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Nutrien Express. Robin McKeeman, Banding in Custom programs up to 15,000 acres per fall and 4,500 acres in the spring.

Case 940, Banding at 8 mph at 61.25 feet at 1 acre per minute. TAPPS and TAPPKS.

Rental varies between $20 to $25 CDN per acre.

All No-tillage. Direct 780-832-8297

Note,
Comparisons made with banded or broadcast made in Alfalfa. http://www.fluidfertilizer.com/pastart/pdf/27P10-13.pdf

References.

 https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/whats_the_real_cost_of_fertilizing_alfalfa 

http://www.fluidfertilizer.com/pastart/pdf/27P10-13.pdf  

http://www.fluidfertilizer.com/pastart/pdf/4P32-33.pdf 

Compendium of Banding, Fluid Fertilizer Foundation.
http://www.fluidfertilizer.com/pastart/banding.htm