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Northcentral
Balanced nutrition is essential for efficient nutrient use by crops. Declining
potassium (K) fertilizer usage over the past 25 years has occurred for many
states in the Northcentral region. States with the largest decreases are Minnesota
and Iowa, followed by Wisconsin and Nebraska. In many of these states, nitrogen
(N) use has remained steady or increased. Comparing N use to K use shows that
less and less K is being applied relative to N. This trend has been occurring
for a quarter of a century and may indicate that nutrients are becoming out
of balance in many states. An increasing frequency of reported K deficiencies
in the region echo this trend. Proper K nutrition leads to greater efficiency
of N, leaving less N available to move to other parts of the environment. This
season, farmers would be wise to re-assess their soil test reports and pay
close attention to their K levels. Combining a sound K fertilization strategy
with other management practices will ensure that food is produced in a profitable
and environmentally sound way.
Northeast
While prices for corn, soybeans and wheat have been weak, milk prices in the
Northeast U.S. are strong. This gives dairy producers the ability to invest in
sound soil fertility management. Soybean acreage continues to expand in New York
and Quebec. New York corn producers are actively participating in plans to set
up a fuel ethanol plant in the state.
Soybean acreage for 2002 in Ontario is likely to decline as much as 10 percent,
owing to poor yields last year, lack of a solution to the aphid problem, shortage
of quality seed, and a low price ratio relative to corn. Less wheat was planted
than expected, due to limited planting conditions in the fall. Since both soybeans
and wheat acres are down, the corn crop could be one of the largest ever planted.
With a mild winter and sporadic snowfall throughout the region, processes
controlling nitrogen loss by leaching and denitrification are varying considerably.
Use of the soil nitrate test is likely to be worthwhile for the 2002 crop.
In addition, 2001 crop performance and resulting nutrient removal varied considerably
across fields, particularly in Ontario, and this variability offers an opportunity
for site-specific management of all applied nutrients.
Ontario's Nutrient Management Act (Bill 81) was not passed before the legislature
adjourned last fall, and thus it will not be effective until after April 2002,
if at all. Nevertheless, agri-business organizations have been actively preparing
for the requirement of higher accountability of all nutrient users. An important
conference on the impact of agricultural nutrients on rural water quality is
being planned for 28-30 April 2002 in Waterloo, Ontario.
In New York, 76 out of 152 large CAFO's (confined animal feeding operations)
completed their Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP; a.k.a. Animal
Waste Management Plan) by the end of December 2001, and the Department of Environmental
Conservation is pleased with the compliance rates. In addition, 487 medium-sized
CAFO's are developing their CNMP's. There are 13 Certified Nutrient Management
Planners for the state. The cost of completing these plans ranges from $20
to $200 per cow.
Northern Great Plains
Ever wonder when you bite into that fresh apple what goes into making a high
quality piece of fruit? Well that is the focus of research being conducted in
British Columbia and Washington State where apples are big business. Nutrient
management in apple orchards can be critical to ensuring both yield and quality
of fruit produced.
With sponsorship from the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission and IMC
Global through PPIC/FAR, Dr. Denise Neilsen at the Pacific Agri-Food Research
Centre in Summerland, British Columbia is focusing on nutrient management in
high density, fertigated apple orchards. She and her associates are evaluating
the role of P and B fertigation, along with N rate and timing, on the growth,
production and fruit quality of 5 apple species. Previous work with potassium
(K) fertigation showed that yield and quality could be improved with K addition
without negative impacts on fruit storage quality. Continued work with timing
of nutrient addition to apples in intensive orchards has the potential to improve
the yield of quality fruit for all of us to enjoy.
Great Plains
Conditions across the Great Plains (GP) region are quite variable. According
to the NOAA Drought Severity Index (Palmer Index) as of January 5th, soil moisture
conditions across the GP region vary from severe drought to extremely moist,
while the Crop Moisture Index ranges from average to wet. Not surprisingly, the
condition of the winter wheat crop across the region is also variable.
As winter wheat topdress season approaches, producers should make sure adequate
nitrogen (N) is available to meet yield potential. Topdress applications should
be considered where inadequate N was applied preplant to meet full season requirements,
or where significant leaching and /or volatilization has occurred. In determining
topdress rates, remember that winter wheat requires about 2.4 lb of available
N per bushel of yield goal. Where grazing it takes approximately 1 lb N to
produce 3 lb of animal gain (assumes 2% N in plant tissue, and 15 lb of forage
per lb of animal gain). Consider also the potential of chloride (Cl) in topdressing
this season. Research has shown that where conditions favor response to Cl
fertilizer wheat yields are increased by an average of about 5 bu/A, although
yield increases as high as 23 bu/A have been observed. Chloride response is
likely where soil Cl levels are low or where fungal disease pressure is high.
Wheat variety is another factor affecting probability of response to Cl. If
a responsive situation is suspected or has been identified, there are several
sources of fertilizer Cl available for use. The most common and cost effective
source is muriate of potash (0-0-60, 47% Cl). Since Cl is mobile in soils,
topdressing prior to jointing is an effective way of addressing needs. Although
application rates should be based on soil tests (target soil level is at least
60 lb Cl/A 2 feet), most research has shown that topdress application of between
20 and 40 lb Cl/A is usually sufficient to meet winter wheat crop needs.
Midwest
Since the introduction of site-specific, or precision
agriculture, management systems in the early 1990s, farmers, their advisers,
and researchers have struggled with the question of whether these systems really "work" agronomically, and whether
they really "pay" economically. The short answer is "yes" to both questions,
but there are some qualifiers. It depends upon the resources available on the
farm, external factors of weather and global economy, grain market fluctuations,
and perhaps most important, whether the field has variability in factors that
can be managed to improve yields and profits. These are significant qualifiers.
Agronomically, the site-specific management (SSM)
system approach provides an opportunity to apply agronomic
principles and information on a scale that is much
more likely to react as expected. SSM provides the
opportunity for fine-tuning management decisions to
better utilize agronomic research information. Detailed
data about the variability within a field supports
decisions on a smaller scale. Having the detailed information
available is only part of the process. It has to be
used in making decisions, and the resources must be
available to implement those decisions. Those two steps
may not always be possible.
Economically, the action step is critical. There is
little return on the investment in site-specific technology
until decisions are made and implemented that are different
from the field-average system that was previously in
place. Up to that point, SSM is an added expense. Added
economic return comes from increasing yields, reducing
inputs, or both.
Several years of detailed site-specific data may be
needed for some decisions. Most farmers are just now
reaching the critical amount of data to make reasonable
interpretations of the response. In today's fast-paced
society, it is hard to maintain the patience required
to work with biological systems. But if we step back
to see the progress in technology and the greatly expanded
information we have from its use in a few short years,
we can better recognize that site-specific management
is working to help farmers and their advisers make
better-informed decisions.
Southeast
Corn, cotton, rice, and soybean yields across the middle south and southeastern
states were average to higher-than-average in 2001. Summer pastures also performed
better than during the recent past. Many desperately needed a good crop harvest
in 2001 to help recover from the damage caused the previous two to three drought
years. Good fertilization programs enabled many farms to capitalize on the good
yield potential in 2001. Because of the relatively mild winter thus far in 2002,
the winter forage and wheat acreage appears to be off to a healthy start as well.
Some farmers have delayed planning for the 2002 crop yields because of the
uncertainty associated with the new farm bill. For many, now would be a good
time to take stock of the soil fertility resources; especially the harvest
removal of nutrients by the 2000 and 2001 crops and the current soil test levels.
Fertility planning now can help avoid fertilizer delivery and application bottlenecks
when the spring rush arrives.
Farmers, land owners and managers should consult with experienced agronomists,
fertilizer dealers, Certified Crop Advisers, Extension agents and specialists
to determine the potential crop response to nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium,
sulfur, magnesium and micronutrients in individual fields, or parts of fields.
If recent field research data are available showing yield response to fertilizer
inputs at different soil fertility levels (low, medium, high -for example),
sound fertilizer input decisions can be made. If such field research is unavailable,
university researchers and administrators should be contacted to get the work
initiated. Some of the needed field research could be conducted in farmer fields,
using GPS and GIS tools, with assistance by experienced agronomists.
Because of retirements at many universities, and
funding constraints, partnerships among farmers, fertilizer dealers, and
crop advisers will be needed in many states to get the research conducted.
Such research partnerships can be great opportunities to "think beyond the box",
to forge new friendships and to strengthen the agricultural community.
Be ready for timely planting this spring by planning ahead. Make your crops
produce more profitable yields in 2002 with research-based soil fertility decisions
and fertilizer applications.
West
The western United States produces a wide variety of high-yielding, excellent
quality crops. This diversity has aided growers in avoiding the full impact of
the economic downturn experienced for many commodities over the past number of
years. None-the-less, many growers are affected and there continues to be considerable
concern about the agricultural economy entering 2002. In sharp contrast to the
2001 season, the supply of available water for irrigation and hydroelectric power
appears to be much improved. Winter rains and snow are running above normal.
Cost of electricity has declined as additional power plants have come on-line.
Fertilizer management issues of current concern continue to include efficiently
managing nitrogen (N) inputs, both inorganic and organic, to avoid nitrate
accumulation below the rooting zone. Improved soil test procedures and in-season
application techniques are being evaluated and promoted by the research community.
The Salinas Valley has been a focal point of such studies in California. Related
to the growing dairy and other animal industries in the west, there is concern
about manure management related to excessive accumulation of phosphorus (P
loading) in the soil as well as N. The NRCS has implemented P management guidelines
for large CAFOs (confined animal feeding operations) utilizing primarily the
P-Index concept in most western states. Guidelines for California were completed
at the end of 2001 and are currently being field-tested.
Increasing acreage is moving to low pressure irrigation systems (drip or micro-sprinkler)
for trees, vines and vegetables which meter water and fertilizer very efficiently.
This is in response to cost of water, likelihood of limited future supplies,
and environmental (leaching) issues. Continued research is needed to determine
how to maximize the positive interactions between nutrients and different irrigation
systems. Regulations were recently implemented in California to govern content
of metal contaminants in P and micronutrient fertilizers. The metal contaminants
being regulated are cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), and lead (Pb). Washington implemented
similar regulations several years ago.
Some western dealers have initiated site-specific fertilizer management programs.
However, these programs are still in their infancy compared to the Midwest.
Progress is slowed by the diversity of crops in the west and the continuing
tight economy. Grain, potato, and tomato harvesters utilizing yield monitors
are currently in commercial use.
Thanks to more water and cheaper power compared
to last season, many western growers are entering 2002 with guarded optimism…the
agricultural economy remaining the big question mark.
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