Interpreting the available nutrients in a fertilizer analysis Whether you are using a commercial fertilizer, organic amendments like manure or compost, or fertilizer by-products from industrial sources, it’s critical to know the nutrient analysis of the product. Analyses for agricultural nutrient sources may come in several different ways: When using a nutrient fertilizer source that […]
Simple Summary there is limited guidance for safe fertilizer rates for strip till – unlike 2”x2” planter banding, there are many different fertilizer placement options in strip till there is likely some tradeoff with fertilizer placement in strip till – placement closer to the seed likely improves starter fertilizer effect and fertilizer efficiency, but likely […]
Simple Summary If you have an N rate you are confident is right for your farm most years, N recommendations and historical work suggests a 15-20 lb-N/ac reduction may be appropriate to adjust for nitrogen/corn economics in 2022 compared to the longer term. The above adjustment assumes relatively normal N responses in 2022… large changes […]
Did you know that OMAFRA has a handbook that’s all about nutrients and soil fertility? It’s called the Soil Fertility Handbook and was first published in 1998. The book covers topics such as soil testing, soil pH and lime and fertilizer application. There’s a chapter on organic nutrient sources, like manure, biosolids and cover crops, […]
Some crops respond well to seed placed fertilizer. Applying phosphorus to wheat in-furrow has become standard practice for many growers. The amount of fertilizer that can be applied safely depends on the crop species, the type of fertilizer, the rate, soil type and soil moisture. Complete crop failures are possible if the seed or seedling […]
A well-planned and run on-farm trial is a great way to test new ideas, products, and equipment. But, to provide meaningful information, even a simple on-farm trial takes time to plan and carry-out. For an on-farm trial to provide useful information, two basic requirements need to be met. First, the trial has to be set […]
Greg Stewart, Peter Johnson and Ian McDonald, OMAF & MRA Background In 2014 the OMAF & MRA field crops team once again surveyed a range of corn fields to determine the impact that this springs weather has had on the level of residual soil nitrate. This year April was cool with less growth than […]
Conditions: Fields have been slow to dry. Only a small amount of manure has been applied. About 25% of the nitrogen/fertilizer has been applied to winter wheat and grassy forage stands. Alfalfa: Winter survival is very good (Figure 1), generally in the 90% range, except for areas along the St Lawrence (Morrisburg/Brockville), which have up to 80% […]
With higher land costs, increasing our yields is becoming key to reducing our costs of producing forage, and remaining competitive with corn and soybeans for acreage. Three factors limiting our forage yields are old stands, poor establishment and low soil fertility. Good soil fertility is essential to both yield and persistence of forage crops. Phosphorus […]