2023 Spring Farm Outlook

Page 22 2023 Logan County Spring Farm Outlook LINCOLN DAILY NEWS March 2023 Broadcasting fertilizer to build up nutrient levels in the entire field was once a common practice and not a bad idea as overall soil health begins with soil nutrients levels. But there is also that point of diminished returns to think about. If soil is healthy, then the best practice will be to fertilize for the crop. The first step to making money this year according to the article may be to invest money in proper soil testing. If soils are within an acceptable range for overall nutrients, then don’t spend money on what you already have. Instead look at crop feeding versus broadcast feeding. Dan Quinn, a Purdue University Extension agronomist suggests in the article that 2023 may be the year to utilize starter fertilizers. He notes that in many cases, this is a practice that is not used to its fullest and some farmers may not “be in the habit” of applying fertilizer when planting corn, but, he says, “2023 could be the year it pays big.” Quinn said that “research indicates that corn yield increased an average of 5.2% when using starter fertilizer blends including N, P, and K. Quinn spoke of a 2x2 application (2 inches deep, 2 inches to the side of the row) and a 21-21-15 rate was effective in adding to the bushels per acre at a cost savings. Beck’s Seed Company research suggested that the traditional 2x2 practice could be taken one step further to a Triple-2 (2 inches deep and two inches on each side) with the potential to increase yields by five bushel per acre versus the 2x2 method. The article quoted Beck’s research. “Through its Practical Farm Research Program, Beck’s tested two fertilizer products: 50/50 blend of 28% and 10-34-0 Straight N “Through several years of research, the yield bump appears to come from the N instead of the P. “Beck’s believes in the system so much it has earned the “PFR Proven” label, meaning it has shown a return above investment for three consecutive years.” In addition to applying fertilizers with the specific target of feeding the plant, a second article found in Successful Farming recommends that the plants we feed not be weeds. Pre-Emergent herbicides will pay off this year in the corn field according to the article as it will reduce the amount of nitrogen consumed by a detrimental crop. Why a pre-emergent Continued --