Technology is helping farmers reduce their application of nutrients to fields, while reducing input costs, which has become increasingly important with low commodity prices. Grid sampling has been used widely in the Midwest and that technology has been more widely available for Oklahoma farmers.
Oklahoma State University Precision Nutrient Management Specialist Brian Arnall said he is seeing an increasing number of grid samples and as more farmers buy more advanced equipment they are adopting variable rate seeding and fertilization.
With Oklahoma’s variable terrain, Arnall said fields change in soil texture, slope and soil type. With the low crop prices, he believes this is the optimal time for farmers to maximize the benefits of their inputs. With grid sampling, he said they are able to identify those areas that need lime, phosphorus, potassium, etc. After the cost of soil sampling, he has seen farmers save $1,500 - $6,000 over a single field.
Arnall said OSU continues to evaluate the micronutrients for canola. He said sulfur is a primary nutrient for the crop. In areas with ph levels of 7.5 and higher, he said they are see more response to zinc, iron and manganese.
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