Summary: Are you thinking about cutting back on fertilizer to save money? Dan Owen says it doesn’t have to be either/or. New technology, such as enhanced efficiency fertilizers, different application timings and minding the 4Rs can help farmers design the fertilizer plan they need at a cost they can afford.
When margins are squeezed, fertilizer is often the first place farmers look to cut costs. But is that throwing the baby out with the bathwater? Dan Owen, director of agronomy at ATP Nutrition, a Manitoba-based plant nutrient supplier, thinks so and says there are ways to maintain your crop nutrition program in tight times.
Crop nutrients are one of the most significant expenses on the farm, but they are also key to big rewards. In the past, when crop prices were low a simple return on investment calculation often led to reducing or cutting fertilizer altogether. But that strategy can lead to short and long term soil health issues. A more considered approach can help farmers get the most out of their fertilizer investment.
“We are seeing a little more optimism among the farming community about fertilizer usage in the coming year after several years of cutting back,” says Owen. “But as the price of inputs slowly rise, growers are back to considering what must be applied — such as nitrogen — with demand for phosphate a little more challenging.”
Last year’s crop started off with high expectations, given the early spring across many Canadian growing regions, says Owen. But the high heat in July took some of the shine off the crop, and what looked good at the start ended up yielding poorly.
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