The Importance of Fall Fertilizer
Sep 16, 2020
Irv Arndt, CFS Agronomy Growth Specialist
Harvest has begun for 2020 in the CFS territory. It will be an earlier than normal harvest and with hopefully dry weather we can have time for fall application of fertilizer. I would say one of the biggest advantages with fall fertilization is less spring compaction. The last several years with the excess moisture we have had in the planting season every pass with equipment has shown in a lot of cases and it shows up in our data. It is very tough to wait when rain is constantly in the forecast.
Agronomically the earlier fall P&K are applied the sooner these nutrients will mineralize and be available for the crop. P & K are stable and will not go anywhere once applied to the soil. Another plus is incorporation or deep placement of fertilizer is important to move products throughout the upper layer of soil where a large portion of the roots are, and most major tillage is done in the fall.
Sulfur is becoming more and more of a factor the over last 15 years. We all have heard that we are getting less from the rain because of less pollution being emitted. Sulfate is mobile in the soil so in the fall we have been running an elemental 85% sulfur that slows the release from sulfur to sulfate. In the spring we run Ammonium sulfate which is readily available. Sulfur and nitrogen work together in the plant so it is very important to have both available when needed.
Harvest has begun for 2020 in the CFS territory. It will be an earlier than normal harvest and with hopefully dry weather we can have time for fall application of fertilizer. I would say one of the biggest advantages with fall fertilization is less spring compaction. The last several years with the excess moisture we have had in the planting season every pass with equipment has shown in a lot of cases and it shows up in our data. It is very tough to wait when rain is constantly in the forecast.
Agronomically the earlier fall P&K are applied the sooner these nutrients will mineralize and be available for the crop. P & K are stable and will not go anywhere once applied to the soil. Another plus is incorporation or deep placement of fertilizer is important to move products throughout the upper layer of soil where a large portion of the roots are, and most major tillage is done in the fall.
Sulfur is becoming more and more of a factor the over last 15 years. We all have heard that we are getting less from the rain because of less pollution being emitted. Sulfate is mobile in the soil so in the fall we have been running an elemental 85% sulfur that slows the release from sulfur to sulfate. In the spring we run Ammonium sulfate which is readily available. Sulfur and nitrogen work together in the plant so it is very important to have both available when needed.
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May 28, 2024
Join the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota on June 1 for Ag Education
Day. Ag is so relevant in our region, but many children only “see” it from a bus window. This FREE
Museum day gives a hands-on opportunity to explore, learn, and ask questions about the importance
of agriculture in our everyday life. Teaching children about agriculture at a young age can help
them start recognizing how it impacts the world around them and can help them learn other important
aspects about life.
Day. Ag is so relevant in our region, but many children only “see” it from a bus window. This FREE
Museum day gives a hands-on opportunity to explore, learn, and ask questions about the importance
of agriculture in our everyday life. Teaching children about agriculture at a young age can help
them start recognizing how it impacts the world around them and can help them learn other important
aspects about life.
May 17, 2023
Highlights as of 5/16:
Corn:
Planting and weather conditions are the name of the game currently. With planting progress looking very favorable and the weather forecast showing above normal temps and below normal precipitation for much of the corn belt all signs point to very good planting conditions. With that, we gave up yesterday’s gains on old crop and put in some new lows on December corn.
Corn:
Planting and weather conditions are the name of the game currently. With planting progress looking very favorable and the weather forecast showing above normal temps and below normal precipitation for much of the corn belt all signs point to very good planting conditions. With that, we gave up yesterday’s gains on old crop and put in some new lows on December corn.