How Does it Work?

Specialty fertilizers are blended into NutraFix® to provide for the robust growth of desirable grassland vegetation, especially perennial grasses, allowing them to outcompete invasive plants.

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Why are Grasslands so Important?

Grasslands, prairies, or savannas cover 20-40% of the earth’s surface and are endangered by climate change, wildfires, conversion to farming or development, and invasive species. https://www.nationalgeographic.org/article/grasslands-explained/

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Why Conserve or Restore Grasslands?

The wildlife, watersheds, and people that live on the landscapes of the world’s grasslands are dependent on the economic output from rangelands used for livestock production, wildlands that conserve wild birds and animals, and watersheds that serve as sources of drinking water.  Our grasslands are at risk of increasing fire frequency, loss of agricultural productivity, losses of wildlife populations, and other hazards.

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How can NutraFix Restore Grasslands?

NutraFix replaces lost nutrients in degraded soils. Improved soils accelerate the growth of perennial vegetation, improves soil structure to promote infiltration, and allows for the growth of deep roots that add organic matter to the soil and allow plants to better withstand drought conditions.

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How do you apply it?

NutraFix is applied as a granular dry fertilizer product using conventional spreaders. Upcoming NutraFix liquid products will similarly be applied with conventional equipment.

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When do you apply it?

NutraFix is a soil fertilizer so it is best applied in the Spring and Fall when perennial grass plants are actively growing.

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What is it made out of?

NutraFix is made from micronutrient fertilizers produced from naturally occurring minerals from the earth including iron, copper, zinc, boron, and magnesium.  Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium (NPK) ingredients are derived from poultry manure.  No synthetic ingredients are included.

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How much do you apply?

The amount of fertilizer required depends on the density of existing desirable perennial plants found on treatment sites.  Low amounts of perennial plants require higher amounts of NutraFix, while high amounts of desirable existing plant cover require lower application rates.  See the link to NutraFix product application guidelines. Site-specific rates can be developed using test plots or general rates can be used.

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How long does it last?

Soil nutrients are held tightly in soil by organic matter and clay minerals and are lost by plant uptake and leaching (primarily in wetter climates > 30 inches of annual precipitation).  NutraFix is formulated to last for long periods of time (years) but retention of soil nutrients is also governed by climate, soil characteristics, site management, and unplanned disturbances such as wildfire. Sandy soils may need multiple applications at lower rates.

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Will NutraFix help reduce wildfire hazards?

NutraFix has a strong influence on the growth of perennial grasses that are more fire-resistant and stay green later in the season.

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Do livestock and wildlife eat the vegetation on treated sites?

Oh yes.  Anecdotally, both wildlife and livestock appear to prefer the nutrient-dense forage resulting from the NutraFix application.