would be economical to harvest sufficient quantities of hay under the two-cut 

 harvest system, along with one of the following: 



1. Apply approximately 50 pounds of nitrogen fertilizer 

 per acre; 



2. Apply between 300 and 400 pounds of nitrogen fertilizer 

 per acre (at the most, 1 acre per 45 weaner calves 

 would need to be so treated to provide a supplement for 

 hay of very low quality, 6. 5 percent crude protein or 

 less); 



3. Seed adapted legumes periodically into the existing sod 

 and apply phosphate fertilizer on areas adapted to this 

 practice. 



INTRODUCTION 



Most ranchers in the mountain meadow areas of Colorado can use more 

 hay. Improved irrigation and other practices will increase yields, but how 

 can additional feed be obtained most economically? What increases in the 

 volume and quality of hay can be expected from improved management prac- 

 tices? What costs are associated with these improved management prac- 

 tices, and what is the value of this increased production? Answers to these 

 questions are needed to determine the most economical management of the 

 feed supply on typical mountain naeadow ranches. 



The study reported here applies generally to the mountain meadow area 

 of Colorado. (See figure 1. ) The area is rugged; it lies mainly above 6, 000 

 feet in elevation, and it has a short, cool, growing season. For the most 

 part, its meadow soils are shallow, and in general, its irrigation water supply 

 is sufficient or even excessive. The short, cool, growing season limits the 

 farming activities of the area to the raising of grass or grass -legume mixed 

 hays. 



Since 1950, the Soil and Water Conservation Research Division, Agricul- 

 ture Research Service, U. S. Department of Agriculture, the Experiment 

 Station of Colorado State University, and rancher groups have worked 

 together through a common research program to find techniques that will 

 increase the quality and quantity of forage produced from mountain meadows. 

 Five general management practices considered by these researchers were: 

 (1) Changing the timing and quantity of the irrigation water applied; (2) 

 applying nitrogen or phosphate fertilizers; (3) using a two-cut system of 

 harvesting rather than the usual one-cut system; (4) timing of harvest; 

 and (5) changing the composition of the sward. 



