Spring 2006

Northcentral

Higher nitrogen (N) prices are of concern for farmers who have not already applied their N nor prepaid for this spring’s requirements. Whether you’re dealing with the higher prices or not, here are a few points to consider about N fertilization.

Account for all N sources

• When appropriate, sample soils to determine nitrate levels. Some universities provide guidance on the timing, depth, and number of cores to take for these samples as well as adjustments for precipitation.
• Consider N credits after a legume or, under the newly revised N recommendations in many states, ensure legumes are considered in the economics of corn response. Legumes cause a greater net mineralization of N from soil organic matter, reducing the N rates required for subsequent crops.
• Account for N and other plant available nutrients recoverable from manure.

Consider different times of application
A portion of the N may be applied pre-plant, side-dressed, or interspersed throughout the season. Generally, N applications become more efficient when applied closer to the times when plants have greater N needs.

Watch and evaluate
Look for signs of nutrient deficiencies, not just N but other nutrients as well. An end of season evaluation for N nutrition of corn is available with the stalk nitrate test. This test can help determine if N nutrition was sufficient during the season.

Consider bumping up the intensity of management
More intensive measuring and monitoring better characterize N needs and improve the ability to evaluate current management approaches. Keeping more detailed as well as frequently updated records increase the chances of managing N in ways that maximize profit in more areas of the field.

Keep other limiting factors at bay to the extent possible
Keeping soil pH, phosphorus, and potassium at optimum levels will ensure that the N that is applied is used most efficiently.

With high prices for fertilizers—and all inputs—coupled with low prices for commodity crops, producers are facing some tough questions. “Can I Cut Back on Potash?” is one of them. The answer is that it depends on what you have in your soil, and what rate you apply relative to what your crops remove. For more details, <click here>. The Potash & Phosphate Institute also has tips on Using Fertilizers Efficiently and Best Management Practices for Fertilizer Use on Dairy Farms.

RESEARCH RESULTS: In Ontario, rates of nitrogen and phosphorus for optimum yield and quality of tomatoes and peppers exceed both current recommendations and crop removal by a wide margin. Regulation of nutrient management, if and when it is applied to high-value specialty crops such as these, could restrict production of these important commodities if industry and government fail to support research and innovation. Check out the interpretive summary in the research database at the Potash & Phosphate Institute ’s Web site.

Using Fertilizer Efficiently

Fertilizer use is a concern to all farmers given the current high cost of fertilizer nutrients, relative to the low commodity prices. The efficient use of fertilizers requires that you try and combine as many of the “best management” practices in your operation. Some of these practices include:

1. Measure and account for the nutrients the soil can provide
2. Consider crop removal as a way of determining nutrient requirements
3. Set realistic yield goals, based on the history of the field in concern
4. Use all the nutrient sources available, including livestock manures
5. Keep the proper balance of nutrients to ensure efficient use
6. Manage soil pH where soils are less than a pH of 5.0
7. Manage crops for maximum economic return, including the variety selected and growing season management practices
8. Time fertilizer applications so as to optimize crop uptake of nutrients
9. Place nutrients where they can best meet crop requirements, and
10. Consult a credible crop adviser when making decisions to help you in the process.

Moisture conditions have worsened over most of the region. Any positive outlook for good wheat yields in many areas is quickly diminishing due to dry conditions. The U.S.drought monitor ( March 9, 2006) shows that the entire states of Texas and New Mexico are at some level of drought… from moderate to exceptional. Most of Kansas, Nebraska, and Colorado vary from abnormally dry to severe drought conditions. Remember, though, that winter wheat is a fairly drought-tolerant crop, and with some moisture in the next few days or weeks yield potential can significantly rebound. An important question currently being asked concerns whether topdressing wheat with nitrogen (N) under dry conditions is advisable. Of course, opinions differ, but one approach is to go ahead and topdress. If you don’t topdress, then whenever the wheat needs N (assuming rainfall), you’re pretty much guaranteeing a poor crop. In other words, if conditions improve in the near future, you want to be positioned to take advantage of it. On the other hand, if it stays dry, what N remains will likely be available to subsequent crops, except on sandy soils where it may be lost to leaching.

The time for the initiation of summer perennial forage growth is almost upon us. Growers should make sure that adequate phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) fertility are in place prior to initiation of spring growth. A comparison of past fertilization with nutrient removal (i.e., nutrient budget review) along with a soil test can be instructive in application of appropriate rates of P and K. Also, remember that good K fertility is important in avoidance of drought stress because of its role in plant-water relationships.

As farmers and crop advisers prepare for the 2006 planting season, higher energy costs and higher fertilizer prices are causing many to closely examine their budgets. A slight increase in cotton acreage and soybean acreage is expected, while corn acreage and rice acreage may dip downward. Mixed signals are being received about farmer fertilizer purchases and application decisions. Since more soybeans are likely to be planted, many believe that nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) fertilizer tonnage will be down from previous years. Yet others think that good yields in recent years and soil nutrient drawdown will result in greater P and K consumption.

With Asian soybean rust detections in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and Texas on kudzu …… we are anticipating disease pressure earlier than last year. Hopefully, all the educational and training efforts aimed at detecting and controlling rust will take root. Farmers will likely save some of their budget for anticipated fungicide applications, which could affect dollars spent on fertilizer purchases.

The World Trade Organization’s Doha Round of trade negotiations continue to cause concern among U.S. cotton growers and allied industries, according to the Farm Press Daily on March 6, 2006 (http://deltafarmpress.com/news/060306-allen-helms/ ):

• Cotton is listed in the sub-section of the agricultural text and is singled out for special treatment… Three specific objectives are listed for cotton.

• First, all forms of export subsidies for cotton are to be eliminated by developed countries in 2006.

• Second, on market access, developed countries will give duty and quota free access for cotton exports from least developed countries at the commencement of the implementation period.

• Third, reduce trade-distorting domestic subsidies for cotton more ambitiously than for other crops and implement this over a shorter period than generally applicable to other crops.”

The just-released (2005) PPI Soil Test Summary showed a few of the Southeast states have elevated soil test P levels, which probably reflects the impact of animal waste applications in certain areas of the leading poultry and livestock-producing states. However, four of the 11 Southeast region states showed slight declines in the median soil test P level from the 2001 PPI Soil Test Summary, which reflects the impact of higher crop yields and increased harvest removal of P. The lower soil test K levels among the Southeast states reflect the lower cation exchange capacity (sandier texture) of the soils, high crop harvest removal of K, and the continued need for K fertilization in the majority of the Southeastern states.

Farmers and fertilize dealers have concerns about the cost and availability of N fertilizers this spring; distribution challenges (delivery and application) are also key concerns.

As farming operations get in high gear, there is considerable pressure to keep financially solvent. The outlook for a good productive year is bright, but crop prices for many commodities are not keeping pace with the rising costs of many inputs. Many people are looking for short cuts that will boost the bottom line by improving yields or shaving costs. Will things ever get “back to normal” again? Old-timers in agriculture will affirm that there is never a “normal” year! So take a close look at your entire operation and see what fine-tuning is needed to make 2006 the best yet.

It makes sense to cut back on any inputs that are not a good financial investment. Look carefully at how field operations can be combined and minimized. Crop health chemicals should only be used after careful scouting and considering economic thresholds. Fertilizer additions that are in excess of that needed for optimal crop health are probably unnecessary.

The water outlook for 2006 is mixed throughout the West. The persistent drought in the Southwest will make irrigation water in short supply this year. However, the forecast for the West coast and the Pacific Northwest is for adequate water for agriculture this summer.

It’s not too late to still take soil samples and plan for tissue analysis during the season to track the crop nutritional status. Keep the soil in top condition to grow healthy roots which give plants the foundation for top yields. Although you may see tempting offers for new products that promise wonderful results, remember that no additive will compensate for poor management and inadequate crop nutrition. If you want to try a new product, ask about its track record and specific research trials on your crops. Start small and test new products on a portion of the field, including plots that are both treated and untreated.

As the growing season gets underway, make the most of your opportunities in 2006 and put the pieces together to grow a productive and profitable crop!