|
Almost
every year someone tells us this is the year to be the most efficient. I
will soon celebrate a half-century making my living selling crop inputs
and primarily fertilizer. I can honestly tell you this is the YEAR!
Only
twice in my lifetime have I seen fertilizer at the prices we have this
year. The bright side of this year is that crop prices are much better,
and if you are raising corn the price is extremely good. Let us first
look at the price ratio between fertilizer and corn and we will see it
is still a very good buy! I know it is high, but look at what is does
for the yield and the profit at the end of the year.
Efficiency
is very important with all crop inputs, but let’s look at fertilizer
and especially nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). Potash and sulfur (S)
prices have risen only 7% so they have become very good buys. N and P
prices have ranged up to 31% increases, but they are extremely important
in the production of corn and cotton. Therefore, we must examine the
most efficient methods and timing for both N & P.
Let’s
first look at phosphorous. Banding P at planting has long been the most
efficient method and time to apply P. As early as the late 1940s,
research proved to the American farmer that we could apply P in a band
beside the rows of corn or cotton and enhance our yields tenfold. With
the production of DAP in early 1960s and with bulk blending of P with N
& potassium (K), broadcast spreading soon became the application
method of choice. Yet many still agreed that a starter band still
produced the best yield, but it took too much time; and besides,
fertilizer was very low cost.
In
the 60s, many areas in the Midwest and Eastern Corn Belt turned to
liquid starters containing N-P-K. Here in the South N-P starters were
available and only heavy liquids with un-dissolved potash were offered.
Research again showed that starters, liquid and dry, were producing
better yields. Planters got bigger; starters became more time consuming
and the equipment to apply them became too heavy for mounted planters.
Because
of this, the use of broadcast fertilizer containing P almost stopped the
use of starters for most farmers. NO, not that it was not the most
efficient, but it was the easiest. Most all of my peers selling
fertilizer agreed and sold what was the easiest.
Now
comes 2007 and I know that most of the corn may already be planted this
spring, but what is best when it comes to P and corn is true for P and
cotton, soybeans and peanuts. Starter bands containing at least N &
P will consistently replace much higher rates that are broadcast. N-P-K
starters are even better and N, P, Potash and S starters will out yield
each of the others. I will not take up your time to show a lot of
research, but be assured that it is available to back up these
statements. 45# Banded P can replace 60# of broadcast P. Efficient cost
savings.
With
the higher prices in 2007 of dry P, why not consider liquid P banded?
Because of marketing programs and manufacturing timing liquid P is
considerable less costly than dry Phosphate. In addition to the
favorable pricing, agronomic research has proven that Liquid 100%
water-soluble polyphosphate P will out produce dry sources.
How can
you apply liquid phosphorous and band itnext to your crop?
The
simplest answer is a liquid starter attachment on your planter. Also, we
have many farmers dribbling behind the press wheel two inches to the
side of the row using an herbicide applicator on their planter. They
either turn the nozzle sideways or use an orifice disc instead of a
nozzle. Others just run a hose in front or behind the press wheel two
inches to the side of the row. We want to keep the fertilizer on the
soil not on the seed.
Another
very popular method of applying a starter is a separate application
using a side dress applicator by offsetting the knife 4 to 6 inches to
the side of the row. We also have several farmers using 60’, 70’ and
90’ boom sprayers with strip jets laying down bands on the surface of
the soil.
The
very best method is a starter attachment; however, the most used method
is a band two inches to the side of the row on the surface of the soil
using existing herbicide tanks and pumps.
Nitrogen
plus Phosphorous
Banding
10-34-0 is good, however 10-30-0-3 (S) is an agronomical superior
analysis, as is 11-22-0-10 (S), or 18-22-0-2 (S). Using N-P-K-S will
increase yields over N+P. Using a 9-25-3-3 (S) clear liquid, which is
like 10-34-0 but because of potash and sulfur being added it will
consistently out yield 10-34-0. This analysis looks and handles just
like 10-34-0, but cost less and yields more.
Nitrogen
Liquid
forms of N have long been proven to be equal to or superior to dry forms
of N. The most efficient method of applying N is to band apply at least
one band per row. Research shows that splitting the middle of the row
works in feeding the plant. Research also shows that, depending on the
time of application, the most efficient method is to band the N closer
to the row.
Liquid
or dry sources of N are both very sound agronomical practices; however,
banding dry sources is difficult because of the available equipment.
Liquid N is much easier to handle and the equipment is much more
available.
Banding
liquid N is the most efficient method and, again, if you are using a
boom sprayer, consider strip nozzles rather than broadcast. If weed and
feed is your application method, consider splitting your N applications
so to include a side-dress rather than your entire N in a broadcast
application. There is considerable amount of research supporting split
applications of N showing marked increases in yields due to better
utilization of the applied N.
When
making your N choice |
