Pick up know-how for tackling diseases, pests and weeds.
Farm bill, farm marketing, agribusiness webinars, & farm policy.
Find tactics for healthy livestock and sound forages.
Scheduling and methods of irrigation.
Explore our Extension locations around the state.
Commercial row crop production in Arkansas.
Agriculture weed management resources.
Use virtual and real tools to improve critical calculations for farms and ranches.
Learn to ID forages and more.
Explore our research locations around the state.
Get the latest research results from our county agents.
Our programs include aquaculture, diagnostics, and energy conservation.
Keep our food, fiber and fuel supplies safe from disaster.
Private, Commercial & Non-commercial training and education.
Specialty crops including turfgrass, vegetables, fruits, and ornamentals.
Find educational resources and get youth engaged in agriculture.
Gaining garden smarts and sharing skills.
Creating beauty in and around the home.
Maintenance calendar, and best practices.
Coaxing the best produce from asparagus to zucchini.
What’s wrong with my plants? The clinic can help.
Featured trees, vines, shrubs and flowers.
Ask our experts plant, animal, or insect questions.
Enjoying the sweet fruits of your labor.
Herbs, native plants, & reference desk QA.
Growing together from youth to maturity.
Crapemyrtles, hydrangeas, hort glossary, and weed ID databases.
Get beekeeping, honey production, and class information.
Grow a pollinator-friendly garden.
Schedule these timely events on your gardening calendar.
Equipping individuals to lead organizations, communities, and regions.
Guiding communities and regions toward vibrant and sustainable futures.
Guiding entrepreneurs from concept to profit.
Position your business to compete for government contracts.
Find trends, opportunities and impacts.
Providing unbiased information to enable educated votes on critical issues.
Increase your knowledge of public issues & get involved.
Research-based connection to government and policy issues.
Support Arkansas local food initiatives.
Read about our efforts.
Preparing for and recovering from disasters.
Licensing for forestry and wildlife professionals.
Preserving water quality and quantity.
Cleaner air for healthier living.
Firewood & bioenergy resources.
Managing a complex forest ecosystem.
Read about nature across Arkansas and the U.S.
Learn to manage wildlife on your land.
Soil quality and its use here in Arkansas.
Learn to ID unwanted plant and animal visitors.
Timely updates from our specialists.
Eating right and staying healthy.
Ensuring safe meals.
Take charge of your well-being.
Cooking with Arkansas foods.
Making the most of your money.
Making sound choices for families and ourselves.
Nurturing our future.
Get tips for food, fitness, finance, and more!
Understanding aging and its effects.
Giving back to the community.
Managing safely when disaster strikes.
Listen to our latest episode!
July 3, 2014
Fast Facts:
(348 words)
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for plants, but too much can mean trouble for waterways.
Phosphorus is critical to plant health and growth by helping the development of root and increasing resistance to disease.
Pastures normally get phosphorus through fertilization because “the natural weathering of rock is not sufficient to assure the high crop yields necessary,” said Dirk Philipp, an assistant professor for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
In pastures, phosphorus tends to be concentrated in areas where grazing animals spend more time such as travel lanes, ponds, shade and hay-feeding areas, he said.
When excess phosphorus washes into streams can cause eutrophication, Philipp said. In eutrophication, excess phosphorus promotes the growth of algae and oxygen depletion in lakes, leading to fish kills, he said. Other impacts of eutrophication include the decline of biodiversity, change in species dominance and toxicity of the water.
Philipp suggested a couple methods that farmers and producers can do to retain phosphorus on the farm and pastures.
The levels of phosphorus need to be monitored closely, he said. Testing different parts along the site is helpful because some parts need higher phosphorus levels than other.
“Levels above 100 pounds per acre are considered high,” he said.
Avoid applying phosphorus fertilizer before heavy rains.
Keep heavily used areas away from sites prone to get run-off. Install buffer zones along streams to slow runoff.
“Those buffer zones don’t have to be fancy,” Philipp said. “A single polywire will work and cattle can still graze those areas when the soil is dry.”
In order to filter out sediments and hold back runoff, grass strips can be used. These strips can be established in low-laying areas of pastures where runoff after heavy rains would naturally occur.
Avoid overstocking and muddying up of grazing grounds, he said. Keep forage canopy at 4 inches or more to prevent bare soil.
Moving feeders and hay rings regularly can help distribute phosphorus. Managing the distribution of phosphorus for grazing pastures is important because the ingested phosphorus will be excreted in a concentrated fashion, he said.
For more information about pastures, soil test, and water pollution, visit www.uaex.uada.edu, or contact your county extension office.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status, and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
By Kezia NandaFor the Cooperative Extension ServiceU of A System Division of Agriculture
Media Contact: Mary HightowerDir. of Communication ServicesU of A Division of AgricultureCooperative Extension Service(501) 671-2126mhightower@uada.edu
Related Links