New Purdue Extension Publication Offers Farmers Tips On Phosphorus Application

Oct 23, 2015

By Chelsea Clodfelder

A new Purdue Extension publication offers Indiana farmers tips on phosphorus applications by focusing on four simple principles.

The publication, Tips for Environmentally Friendly Phosphorus Applications in Indiana, is intended to help farmers better understand how and when to apply phosphorus fertilizers to their fields in a way that isn’t damaging to the environment.

"The fast and simple approach, such as broadcast P fertilizer application, is not the best approach environmentally,” said co-author Tony Vyn. "The dissolved P in all P fertilizers is water soluble and can become an environmental hazard under certain weather conditions following application to the soil surface with no incorporation.”

The tips correspond to the “4R Principles,” which are specific to Corn Belt cropping systems of differing tillage and crop rotations:

P pub Right rate: Apply the correct rate of P fertilizers; test your soil, and only apply fertilizer where it’s needed.

Right source: Understand the amount of phosphorus that is in the fertilizer and account for the other nutrients it contains.
Right time: Applying P fertilizer at the wrong time can be detrimental to water quality, so avoid applying it just before a heavy rain is expected and consider split applications and immediate incorporation to reduce risks.
Right placement: Placement choices, such as broadcasting and shallow or deep banding, can affect the environment more than crop yield; tillage practices also can affect placement options.

Source:purdue.edu

Video: Independent Seed, National Impact | On The Brink: Episode 9

A survey of 200 independent seed businesses reveals what Canada's seed sector actually contributes — and what it stands to lose.

On the Brink, Justin Funk, a third-generation agri-marketer, shares the findings of a national survey conducted in early 2026. The numbers reframe the conversation: independent seed companies in Canada represent upwards of $1.7 billion in dedicated seed infrastructure, approximately 3,000 full-time equivalent jobs in rural communities, and an estimated $20 million in annual community contributions. And roughly 90% of Canada's cereals, pulses, and other small pollinated crops flow through them.

The survey also asked how dependent these businesses are on public plant breeding to survive. The answer was unambiguous. For policymakers evaluating the future of publicly funded breeding programs, Funk argues the economic case for this sector and the case for public plant breeding are the same argument.

On the Brink is a cross-country video series exploring the future of plant breeding in Canada. Each episode features voices from across the industry in an open, ongoing conversation about innovation and long-term investment in Canadian agriculture.