More in Fertilizer

Taking advantage of new and powerful corn hybrids requires getting the most out of yield-building nitrogen (N). And efficient phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and other soil-nutrient use keeps input costs in line....More

  Eric Rund got oddball soil-test results a few years ago from a strip-till cornfield. Some of the nutrient levels were higher than the Pesotum, IL, farmer expected. Now near the end of a four-year soil test variability study with University of IllinoisExtension Soil ScientistFabian Fernandez, Rund hopes they’re getting closer to answers from Rund's farm and others on how best to manage soil-test variability on band-applied fields....More

Ohio farmer Bill Bayliss thought some of his fields had a manganese deficiency, and did some tissue testing to find out for sure. Just over 600 miles away, Fredericksburg, IA, farmer Kyle Wendland has completely reengineered his fertility program based on six years of test results....More

As the price of natural gas goes up, the cost of producing anhydrous ammonia rises as well, according to a recent report from the University of Illinois. “The two are related because natural gas is a major input into the production of anhydrous ammonia,” says Agricultural Economist Gary Schnitkey. “It is the major variable cost item in the production of anhydrous ammonia.”...More

Retail anhydrous ammonia prices again are on the rise. The Oct. 13, 2011 Illinois Production Cost Report by the Agricultural Marketing Service placed the average Illinois price of anhydrous ammonia at $853/ton, up $52/ton from the July 7 price of $801/ton. While anhydrous ammonia prices have been rising, natural gas – which is the major cost of producing anhydrous ammonia – price has not been rising. This has caused the anhydrous ammonia-to-natural gas price ratio to increase dramatically....More

As harvest comes to an end, some growers will shift their focus to strip-tillage. Fabian Fernandez, University of Illinois Extension specialist in plant nutrition and soil fertility, offers a few thoughts on applying nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) with strip-till this season....More

It’s time to determine what to do with corn stover, says Fabian Fernandez, University of Illinois Extension soil and plant fertility specialist. “As a new growing season comes to an end, growers are considering their options to determine what to do with corn stover,” he says....More

Hot, dry weather conditions are bringing out the worst in many fields across the Midwest. Fabian Fernandez, University of Illinois Extension specialist in plant nutrition and soil fertility, says potassium (K) deficiencies have become the most noticeable. However, is what you are seeing in the field worth worrying about? Fernandez offers a few reminders and tips for growers....More

Rain and wet weather has inundated the Upper Midwest recently, from South Dakota to Minnesota and on. Because of all the moisture, South Dakota State University Extension Soil Specialist Ron Gelderman says some fields may experience nitrogen (N) loss. Whether N leaching has occurred depends on many factors, he says....More

As the growing season moves forward more questions have occurred about what products to use in sidedress situations. While nitrogen (N) is on the minds of many, sulfur (S) deficiencies are starting to be seen in fields, as well. Applying the right product in the right situation at the correct time can be crucial in order to maintain yields and minimize damage to growing plants....More