Introduction to Fertilizer Planning for Beginning Farmers

Jan 19, 2021

By Jon LaPorte

As a young or beginning farmer, you may be raising crops to reduce feed costs or to sell on the market. One of the important decisions in crop production is deciding how much fertilizer you should apply. Fertilizer application focuses on meeting the nutrient needs of the crop you’ll grow. Apply too much fertilizer and potential profits are reduced. Apply too little fertilizer and there is not enough production. To meet the nutrient needs and produce a profitable crop, you’ll need to create a fertilizer plan.

The latest publication from the Michigan State University Extension Beginning Farmers DEMaND series explores the process of creating a fertilizer plan and how it can help reduce the impacts to revenue. This includes spending some time understanding the soil and the available nutrients within it. You’ll also learn about the available forms of fertilizer and the methods of applying them to the soil. Using the information collected from both the soil and the available fertilizer options, you’ll begin to create a fertilizer plan for the farm. And finally, understand what the costs are in the plan and their impacts on farm revenue.

Source : msu.edu

Video: White Mold in Winter Canola | Timing, Treatment & Taking Control | Pioneer Agronomy

White mold can be one of the most damaging diseases in winter canola, but with the right approach, it doesn’t have to be.

In this video, Pioneer field agronomist Greg Pfeffer breaks down what to watch for, when to act, and how to stay ahead of infection. From early spring green-up to the critical 25% flowering stage, learn why timing is everything and how a preventative mindset can protect your yield.

This video also discusses fungicide strategies, including why multiple modes of action like Group 3, 7, and 11 offer the strongest defense. If you’re growing canola or considering it, this is your practical guide to smarter disease control in the field.