Minnesota/Kentucky fertility based on ENERGY | The following would be s few items I pulled from my manual on Fertility our program would be as follows;
1. Starter with phosphite we run 8-16-3
2. We run 75 lbs. per acre with our U-trough planter of 17-9-7-5s-7ca, and 5 gallons per acre Calzul
3. Strip tillage using the following
240 lbs. 0-20-0-20ca
20 lbs. KCL 0-0-60
20 lbs. SOP 0-0-50-18s
20 lbs. MAP
100 lbs. 4-15-8-3s w/ Humates, carbon, and bacteria
4. We look at sidedressing soybeans early with 6-0-0-5s-3ca w/humates
While foliaring our Micro Nutrient at the same time.
5. We spread two applications of dry one 17-9-7-5s-7ca combination of AMS and Ammonium Nitrate 100 lbs. per acre, the second 50% mix using AMS and Pell 100 lbs. per acre
6. Our last trip would be using our walker to dribble KTS and 10.6-36-0 w/carbons and humates
While foliaring 21-1-0 and 5-8-0 at a rate of 2 qts. per acre of each.
Not all fertilizers are created equal, therefore we must use products which promote higher quality of soil life. By this we mean not all fertilizers react the same and some, over time, will cause adverse reactions in the upper and lower soil profile. That is why we recommend only certain types, which include the following:
Soft Rock Phosphate: Rock phosphates provide a continuous supply of phosphorus, and element needed for normal plant growth and high quality food. Rock phosphates also contain colloidal clay which aides in the binding of materials to the soil for longer periods of time, helping to ease the leaching of properties from the soil.
Compost and green manure crops: The first rule to remember is not all compost are created equal, and composting is an art form. If you are looking at composting please call us and we can cover this better. Green Manure is the most over looked portion of any and all crop rotations. Use common sense when looking at this type of system, and remember the soil is a digester.
Monoammonium Phosphate (MAP): This is a low pH, soluble source of phosphorus, useful for high pH soils.
High Calcium Lime and Pel-lime (Calcium Carbonate): Local quarry limes can vary, some are high calcium lime, but others are dolomite (calcium magnesium carbonate). DOLOMITE LIME SHOULD NOT BE USED.
Hard Rock Phosphate (Slow Release Phosphate): A slow release source of phosphate used to keep environmental levels of phosphate available for quality and vigorous growth.
Gypsum (Calcium Sulfate): A calcium and sulfur source which works well under conditions where calcium saturation is high and the pH is over 7.0 (will aerate soil, not raise calcium).
Potassium Sulfate (0-0-50-18S): A high quality mined potassium source which provides both potassium and sulfur. Compared to potassium chloride, it has a low salt index. It is readily available and its low chloride content does not harm plants.
Ammonium Sulfate (21-0-0-24.5): An excellent source of both nitrogen, and sulfur. Here in the upper Midwest, it works well to reduce high magnesium levels and provide the sulfur needed to make high quality proteins.
Calcium Nitrate (9-0-0-11Ca): A good nitrogen and calcium source for foliar feeding, also a specialty fertilizer for vegetables.
Ammonium Nitrate (17NH4-17NO3): An excellent source of both ammonium and nitrate nitrogen great for quicker green up and healthier turf.
Trace Elements: Trace elements in the sulfate or chelated forms are the most effective. Sulfate forms are also acceptable for the certified organic farmer.
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Liquid Foliar: 100% Ortho is preferred because it is in the pure plant food form and 100% available or in the amino acid form which is the way the soil and plant store nutrients. Examples: NaturelTM, Seed Setter, Seed Bulker, and Legume Maker, just to name a few.
Most fertilizers used in mainstream agriculture are not what we consider to be agronomically sound, due to the form in which they are manufactured.
1) Chloride ions flood the root zone and displace important nutrients, creating an imbalance that interferes with nutrient uptake, starch-transport and protein synthesis.
2) Anhydrous ammonia dehydrates the soil at the injection point, and does kill certain strains of microbes as well.
3) DAP has free ammonia, and when used as a seed treatment type fertilizer, can cause germination problems.
4) Slow release nitrogen, poly forms, and nitrogen inhibitors,
* Everything that we have covered in this booklet is documented in college textbooks from Iowa State University, University of Minnesota, and Purdue University.
Unacceptable Fertilizer Materials:
1) Dolomite Lime (Calcium Magnesium Carbonate) is a calcium and magnesium source. Here in the upper Midwest, most soils are already high in magnesium. Adding more magnesium to the soil unbalances it and interferes with the uptake of other elements, especially potassium. High magnesium makes some soils more compact and tight. Dolomite supplies calcium and magnesium in a 2:1 ratio, two parts calcium, and one part magnesium. Ideally, a balanced soil is at a 6 or 7:1 ratio. Crops such as alfalfa remove calcium and magnesium in a 5:1 ratio, so with continuous use of dolomite lime, magnesium levels will get higher, while soil may become tighter. Under these conditions, it takes more of other elements to grow the same crop. Also, tight soils often lead to reduced nitrogen-fixing nodules and poor root health. A lower proportion of calcium also harms crop quality and health.
2) Diammonium Phosphate (DAP). Because of the many conversions (4) it goes through, you may lose too much for the dollar spent. This may be broadcast on very acidic soils and should not be used in starters that are close to the seed.
3) Potassium Chloride (0-0-60 or 0-0-62). The potassium is fine, but the high percent of chloride (47%) is not. Potassium chloride is a strong salt (with the highest salt index of any commonly used fertilizer). Plants need only eight pounds of chloride to grow, but can survive with more or less. Therefore, adding sometimes hundreds of pounds per acre is unnecessary. Some crops are sensitive to chloride, and chloride in the soil can change to chlorine when nitrate nitrogen is present, which is toxic to soil bacteria.
4) Anhydrous Ammonia. It may be the cheapest per-unit source of nitrogen, but it will cost you in the end. Ammonia is a highly toxic gas. It will kill any life near the injection point. Some can escape into the air, wasting money. Worst of all, it causes the soil’s humus to dissolve and leach, robbing the soil of potential nutrients and making it as hard as concrete.
If you need to find out about other products which are questionable, please contact us or send us a sample and we will analyze for quality as well as heavy metals. |
fertilizing soybeans
