An inch of good-quality pasture is equivalent to 300 pounds of dry matter per acre. If we graze between 3 and 8 inches at one grazing, we remove about 1,500 pounds of dry matter. It takes 55 pounds of nitrogen to grow a ton of dry matter so that grazing removes 41 pounds of nitrogen. You will need to replenish the nitrogen for optimum, high-quality re-growth.
Analyze your manure for nitrogen, phosphorus, and potash. The report will often list pounds of each per 1,000 gallons or per ton of the manure. Apply the manure evenly at a rate to supply the nitrogen required. If you apply manure to satisfy the nitrogen requirement, you will likely overapply phosphorus and potassium. If your soils are already high in phosphorus and potassium, you will need to find an organic fertilizer that can supply more nitrogen relative to those minerals.
