Northcentral

Higher fertilizer prices. Although no one can say for sure, they probably aren’t a flash in the pan. More likely, they are here to stay, at least for awhile. Energy costs remain high and world demand for fertilizer is greater than in the past. Since fertilizer is not as cheap as it has been historically, people are now paying more attention to it. A lot of the concern is centering around getting the biggest bang for the buck. In such an environment, starter fertilizers can have a good fit.

What is a starter fertilizer? This term refers to an application of nutrients placed near the seed at the time of planting. The most common placement methods are with the seed, where fertilizer is placed in the furrow, 2 in. below and 2 in. to the side of the seed (2x2), and, with air-seeders, seed and fertilizer mixed together in various combinations of band widths.

How do they work? Starter fertilizers address a highly specific, time-sensitive nutrient need by the crop. Early in the season, plant roots do not extend very far into the soil, so access to nutrients is limited. On top of that, soils in the northern areas are usually cool and wet, limiting root and top growth. This means that plants have trouble accessing all but the nutrients they find close to the seed. Throw into that situation one more factor. For some crops like corn, the rate of nutrient uptake by roots is highest early in the season. That means a plant root can exhaust limited supplies near the seed quickly. So what’s the fix? A concentrated supply of nutrients placed near the seed where roots can easily find it early in the season.

What’s the best placement? Nutrient placement must be done with an understanding of how the root systems of various crops develop. For corn, 2x2 placement is well positioned, since initial root growth occurs at an angle from the seed. This placement also works well for wheat. For soybean and sugarbeet, initial root growth is characterized by elongation of the taproot, so placement directly below the seed is probably best, although research for these crops is more limited.

How efficient are starter applications? If we define efficiency as how much of the applied nutrients are recovered in the first year, recovery rates as high as 70% have been documented in the research literature. The small, concentrated supplies appear to be well used by plants.

Do starters always provide benefits? They don’t always, but cool, wet spring conditions favor getting an economic response, as does late planting of longer-season corn hybrids. The overall effect of starter fertilizers is to hasten maturity, so any time crop development gets delayed, they usually help. Measurable benefits include higher yield and lower grain moisture at harvest, both of which have their economic benefits, especially with the currently higher propane costs. While benefits are not always seen, starter fertilizer applications are considered a best management practice for many crops and provide a measure of protection against unforeseen adverse growing conditions. These benefits, combined with relatively high recovery rates, make starter fertilizers a worthy addition to successful nutrient management programs.

Corn and soybeans produced good yields across most of the Northeast in 2005. They also removed large amounts of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). Producers would be well-advised to take into account the impact on soil test levels.

Click here to view yields, acreages, and the amounts of P and K removed by corn and soybeans in 2005 from several key states and provinces of the Northeast region.

Sound management of nutrients pays attention to replacing the amounts removed by crops, in order to maintain soil fertility at an optimum level. Low fertility soils may need more than the amount removed.

With the 2005 crop in the bin, and planning for the 2006 crop year under way, it is time to take stock of your nutrient balance. This means gathering the best estimates on the grain yields harvested, and all of the available quality data.

Soil testing is the cornerstone to all of our nutrient management planning activities. It gives us the annual “check-up” we need to ensure we are still on track with our soil nutrient goals. If you did not have a chance to collect soil samples in the fall of 2005, now is the time to start making plans with your crop adviser for spring sampling.

Crop nutrient removal calculation requires we draw on our crop yields, grain protein, and some nutrient uptake estimates. These calculated estimates provide us with some insight into how well we are doing in maintaining the productivity of our soils.

Remember, sustainability of our crop production systems requires we keep track of nutrient inputs and removals, and through balance avoid the chance of deficiencies limiting production, or any excess negatively impacting on the environment. Today’s higher fertilizer prices have not diminished the importance of this production fundamental.

Conditions across the region are fairly dry for the most part. The latest drought index shows the central and eastern parts of Texas and Oklahoma in moderate to severe drought. Very little of the region is considered above normal in moisture. The winter wheat crop is fairing poorly in many areas, but is still in fairly good shape in the northern half or so of Kansas. Wheat is a very resilient and tough crop, with some rainfall in the next few weeks there is generally still the potential for overall decent yields.

Our thoughts should be turning to spring crop fertilization by now. In most of the region yields have been pretty good over the past couple of years. For example, the Texas High Plains had another record breaking cotton year for 2005. Whenever yields are higher than normal it means that more nutrients are removed than normal. A consideration of removal or exportation of nutrients from fields over the past few years along with what has been added should be considered when making plans for the 2006 crop. This type of budgeting can help avoid drawdown or mining of nutrients such as P and K. Fertilizer price has been, and will again be a topic of concern this spring. Remember though, it takes nutrients to make yield and yield is what makes profit. Most fertility research has shown that fertilizer price has some impact on economic optimum rate of fertilizer application, but not nearly as much as one might expect…so beware of overreaction to fertilizer price. For more information on the economics of fertilization click here.

Severe drought continues to plague much of Arkansas, and parts of Kentucky, while there is a moderate drought or it is abnormally dry in Tennessee and parts of Mississippi, and certain areas of northern and southwest-central Alabama.

Rumors abound about reductions in rice and corn acreage, largely because increased production expenses are anticipated in 2006. Natural gas prices have negatively affected fertilizer prices and farmers are considering alternative crops. Some believe that soybean acreage may be up 10 to 20 percent in 2006. Yet, many are weighing the risks associated with potential Asian rust disease infestation. There were no large rust concerns in 2005. Rust-infected plants were observed in a number of southern states (at least 8), especially near the end of the growing season. A mild winter is raising questions about disease risks in 2006.

AL – Cotton yields (766 lb/A) and wheat yields (50 bu/A) were up over 2004. Corn (112 bu/A), soybean (32 bu/A), and peanut yields (2,500 lb/A) were down.

AR – Record yields in 2005 for rice production: 6,650 lb/A. Temperatures have been warmer than average. Risk of wildfire because of drought continues (10-20 inches below normal for much of state). Cattlemen are feeding hay. In November, yields were forecast at: 6610 lb/A for rice, 34 bu/A for soybeans, 1,015 lb/A for cotton, 83 bu/A for sorghum, and 128 bu/A for corn.

FL – USDA backed out of the citrus canker eradication program. Largely because of the recent hurricanes, and spread of the disease, they no longer believe it is possible to eradicate citrus canker. The following citrus update was received from the Florida Fertilizer and Agrichemical Association:

Florida Orange Crop Decreased By 15%

LAKELAND , Fla. ( Dec. 9, 2005) – Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released its second crop forecast for the 2005-2006 season. The USDA expects the state's orange crop to produce 162 million boxes during the 2005-06 season, a 15% decrease from the Oct. 12 estimate. “This decrease is largely due to the crop loss caused by Hurricane Wilma, which hit the state on Oct. 24,” said Andy LaVigne, executive vice president/CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual. “Also, reports of smaller than anticipated fruit sizes have impacted the estimate.”

The forecast for early and midseason varieties, which includes 3.5 million boxes of Navels, is projected at 80 million boxes and Valencias are projected at 82 million boxes this season. “Grower cash market prices for Early-Mid oranges have already increased sharply in anticipation of this crop reduction and are about 40% higher than last season,” LaVigne said. “However, growers may not see a great improvement to their bottom line due to higher production costs for fuel and harvesting labor.”

Grapefruit estimates decreased by one-third as the crop estimate was reduced from 24 million boxes to 16 million boxes. For specialty fruit, the USDA predicts 800,000 boxes of Temples; 1.2 million boxes of tangelos; and 5.7 million boxes of tangerines, including 3.5 million boxes of early varieties and 2.2 million boxes of Honeys. “It is expected that the increase in grower fruit prices will begin to impact retail prices in the next few months,” LaVigne said.

The Florida citrus industry has a $9.1 billion economic impact to the state, employs nearly 90,000 people and covers 750,000 acres in the state. Florida Citrus Mutual, founded in 1948, is the state’s largest citrus growers’ organization with nearly 11,000 grower members.

GA – 2005 crop yields were forecast at: cotton 853 lb/A, corn 127 bu/A, peanuts 2800 lb/A, soybeans 28 bu/A, and wheat 52 bu/A.

KY – Corn production and forecast yield (147.9 bu/A) were second largest on record. Similar for soybeans, except yield was forecast at new record of 43.3 bu/A. Alfalfa and other hay production were down from 2004.

LA – There were bumper crops in soybeans, grain sorghum, cotton and corn in 2005. The cotton crop was the second highest on record and soybeans and milo yields were the highest ever recorded. The sugar industry first took a blow from the passage of CAFTA in August. Passage of CAFTA may help sugar growers and rice producers. There was a November announcement from Cargill Sugar North America and Louisiana Sugar Cane Products that they intend to construct and operate a million-ton-per-year sugar refinery in Reserve, LA. Production may begin at the plant in 2008.

MS – Cotton yields were down to 864 lb/A, off the 2004 mark of 1,024 lb/A because of hurricanes and other storm damage. Corn yields were down from 2004 by 7 bu/A (129 bu/A). Soybean yield was 37 bu/A, off slightly from 2004 yields. Rice yields were down 500 lb/A to 6,400 lb/a. Wheat acreage in 2005 (65,000 acres) was roughly half of that in 2004 and yields were 50 bu/A. Sweet potato yields were 180 cwt/A on more than 16,000 acres.

MO – Crop yield estimates as of Jan. 12, 2006 were all down from 2004 (except for wheat):

• Corn 111 bu/A
• Cotton 970 lb/A
• Wheat 54 bu/A
• Soybeans 37 bu/A
• Sorghum 76 bu/A
• Rice 6,600 lb/A

Hay yield on 4 million acres was estimated at 1.68 tons/A, down from 2.17 tons/A on 4.35 million acres in 2004.

NC – Soil moisture across NC was moist to surplus as of January 1, 2006. Small grain condition was mostly fair to good. Soybean harvest was progressing and on par with normal. Cotton yield was down from 2004 record of 900 lb/A to 812 lb/A. Corn yields were forecast at 125 bu/A, which could be a new state yield record. Soybean yield was forecast at 28 bu/A, a respectable yield but not close to the 34 bu/A record. Peanut yields were forecast down 500 lb/A from 2004 at 3,000 lb/A.

SC – Corn yield was forecast at 107 bu/A, up from 2003 and 2004. Cotton yields were forecast down from 2004 at 785 lb/A and soybean yields were forecast down 6 to 7 bu/A from past at 21 bu/A. Wheat yield was 52 bu/A. Peanut yields were forecast at 2,800 lb/A.

TN – Cotton yield was forecast at 832 lb/A, down slightly from 2004. Preliminary soybean yields were forecast at 38 bu/A in one report and 42 bu/A in another. Wheat yield was 56 bu/A.

There are some bright spots as the water outlook continues to improve in many areas across the West. The demand for high-quality hay continues to increase; consumption of fruits, vegetables, and nuts also increases each year.

However, new government regulations, such as air pollution fees, additional irrigation discharge rules, and increasing restrictions on crop health chemicals make it difficult to remain profitable. Rising prices are taking a toll on profitability as the cost of inputs such as diesel fuel, electricity, chemicals, and fertilizers increase. Since farmers do not have much influence over crop prices, the only option is to increase efficiency and get more value out of every dollar of input.

This financial squeeze prompts everyone to reexamine the value of every input and eliminate whatever is not essential. Some growers look at fertilizer as one of the inputs that can be reduced when financial conditions are tight. Crop nutrients must be in adequate supply in order to achieve healthy plant growth and top yields. Nutrient-deficient crops cannot make good use of soil water and they are more susceptible to pest damage. A loss of yield and quality is a very real possibility when nutrients are in short supply. Any changes in a fertilizer program should be made on a field-by-field basis, using results from soil testing as a guide.

Look at all the farm operations and decide what inputs can be used more efficiently to have a successful and profitable 2006.