When prices go way up, they always come way down. He says this grass can double the carrying capacity of natives under the right conditions. It's much harder to abuse than native pastures, and it gives us grazing later in the summer. If it's fertilized correctly and receives enough moisture, Old World bluestem typically makes twice the grass production of native pastures in the area, says Jim Shearhart, Natural Resources Conservation Service district conservationist at Woodward. And if it doesn't receive rains to utilize the fertilizer, growing this grass can be pretty expensive.
Some people try to save money by applying only nitrogen to the grass.
Shearhart says this is a mistake because the plants need phosphorus and potassium, applied per soil test, to fully utilize nitrogen. He usually purchases replacement females instead of raising them. He finds deals on good cattle, even when prices are high. He has cut down travel to distant pastures. Now I'm feeding every third day and can't see any difference in performance.