Crop Fertility Findings
Crop Fertility Findings are articles written based on insights from the research that AFREC has funded. Each of these articles is written with the intent to help provide user-friendly insights to readers while still providing fact-based research as the base of the content provided. Each article links to research that can be found in the research tab of this website.
Managing a Fertilizer Program in Variable Soils
Managing a Fertilizer Program in Variable Soils Growers recognize the effect of in-field variability on yield performance. Often pressed for time, most farmers manage fields uniformly from one end to the other. Some sources suggest that uniform rates of fertilizer applications over entire fields can…
Research Explores Best Fertilizer Practices for Low-Yielding Zones for Corn and Soybeans
Research Explores Best Fertilizer Practices for Low-Yielding Zones for Corn and Soybeans Portions of farm fields in Minnesota have under-performing areas that cost farmers money due to consistently below average yields. In 2020, AFREC partnered with retailers and farmers to conduct the following research: Identify…
On-Farm Trial Research Data
On-Farm Trial Research Data Since each farm presents a unique set of challenges, on-farm research has emerged as a valuable way for farmers to collect customizable data specific to their operations. Results from 2018 on-farm trials across the state of Minnesota are now available for…
Agronomic Data Collection of Tomorrow – Farmers Take Control Over Data
Agronomic Data Collection of Tomorrow – Farmers Take Control Over Data Data is the basis for strategic decisions on farms today. Behind every seed variety, biological stimulant, and fertilizer, there is data to showcase the different opportunities and outcomes of these products within an operation.…
Plant Tissue Sampling – One Piece of the Puzzle
Plant Tissue Sampling – One Piece of the Puzzle When it comes to soil fertility, there are many pieces of the puzzle that interact and interfere with our ability to understand what is exactly going on within our soil. Plant tissue sampling, which has been…
Potassium Fertilizer: What We Know and More Importantly What We Don’t Know
Potassium Fertilizer: What We Know and More Importantly What We Don't Know Evaluating inputs is an important process when planning crop management practices year-over-year. While a majority of that time is spent evaluating varieties of seeds and planting options, an important input that needs to…
Plan, Execute, and Evaluate: In-Season Nitrogen Application
Plan, Execute, and Evaluate: In-Season Nitrogen Application Being Minnesota weather is as variable as the soils across the state, utilizing the nutrients in the soil is something farmers are tasked with each year. With nitrogen being arguably the most important nutrient when it pertains to…
Making The Most Of Fertilizer In Minnesota Soils
Making The Most of Fertilizer in Minnesota Soils As commodity prices fluctuate, and input costs continue to rise, calculating the most economically advantageous fertilizer rates for typical Minnesota crop rotations becomes increasingly complex. Optimal fertilizer rates are those that not only increase the quality and…
Phosphorous Behavior in Soils
Phosphorous Behavior in Soils Fluctuating fertilizer prices can make decisions on the management of nutrients, especially phosphorus (P), challenging. Across Minnesota, soils can differ in their relative potential to retain or fix phosphorus. That’s an important variable to know, because it directly correlates to availability…