Correlations of Soil and Hay Micronutrients Purpose: Is there a correlation between soil micronutrients and those in the hay crop?

Rationale for Study Producer’s perspective –Protein –Lower Costs –Enhance soil quality

Rationale for Study Agribusiness Marketing Perspective –Lower feed costs –Can sell micronutrients to producers who are using compost –Commission for salesmen

Hay Sampling Procedure Collected samples from fields after hay was cut 7 samples collected Hay was then dried and sent to the Ag. Analytical Lab at Penn State

Soil Sampling Procedure Soil samples collected in June before hay harvest Soil samples analyzed by A & L Laboratories for: B, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, P, Na, S, Zn Fields with and without compost did not differ significantly

Soil Tests B, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, P, Na, S, Zn Fields with and without compost did not differ significantly Soil pH

Soil and Hay Copper All Measurements in ppm.

Soil and Hay Zinc

Soil and Hay Calcium

Limitations of the Research Small sample size & small micronutrient differences among fields Few samples from fields without compost Maturity?