Fertizona - Growing Smarter
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Fertizona is Arizona’s largest ag fertilizer and crop protection retailer. With 10 locations located from Southern California, throughout Arizona and Northern Mexico, with a regional trucking depot.
Fertizona and its member companies, Compton Ag Services and Ag Express, provide inputs for Southwestern growers, turf managers, nurseries, landscapers, and municipalities. With an experienced staff of Pest Control Advisors, Agronomists and Turf Managers, we provide superior service and knowledge and provide for our Southwestern agriculture.
Horse and cattle owners are discovering the advantages of planting Ferti-Verde Bermudagrass seed for their pastures. Ferti-Verde is a balanced blend of common and giant Bermudagrass that provides an economical alternative to buying hay, and it’s hardy enough to handle Arizona summers.
“Ferti-Verde actually likes the heat,” says Tyke Bennett, Seed Products Sales Manager at Fertizona. “Once it’s established, it’s like a tropical plant, and it’s as tough as a weed. Ferti-Verde looks good, too. It stays green in the summer.”
For pasture use, the timing is perfect for Ferti-Verde Bermudagrass because hay prices have increased significantly. “Two years ago, hay wasn’t expensive at all,” says Bennett, “but there was a late freeze last year that cost growers a cutting, and then there were wind problems that affected the pollinating bees.” As a result, hay crops were much smaller than usual, and the limited available supply was demanding high prices everywhere.
“Ferti-Verde is a great choice for pasture grass,” Bennett adds. “That’s what it’s designed for. Growers who are serious about baling would probably plant giant Bermudagrass instead, and be willing to pay more for it. But for somebody with a few horses or a couple head of cattle, planting Ferti-Verde is a lot smarter than having to buy hay.”
Growing cattle will normally gain about a half-pound to one pound per day on Ferti-Verde Bermudagrass, if no additional feed is provided for them.
Ferti-Verde Bermudagrass should be planted between now and mid-summer, preferably on soil that’s pre-irrigated to promote germination. Bennett recommends a rate of 20 pounds per acre, and he cautions that planting depth is extremely important. For best results, the seed should be planted as near to ¼-inch deep as possible. Planting too deep can hinder the seed’s performance.
Ferti-Verde is also a heavy and efficient user of nitrogen. Up to 400 pounds of actual nitrogen per acre can be used to advantage on irrigated pastures, applied in three to four uniform applications per growing season. In addition, Fertizona suggests applying 200 pounds per acre of ammonium phosphate (16-20-0) at the time of seeding. Ferti-Verde is also an excellent choice for renovating old Bermudagrass pastures.
To learn more, talk to your Fertizona or Compton Ag Services representative about the advantages of Ferti-Verde, or contact Tyke Bennett at 520-836-7477 for more information.