GregWCIL - 12/7/2018 17:02
coup - 12/7/2018 07:16
simjam - 12/7/2018 03:52 Why don't you put the actual removal down?
Because there have been removal studies funded by ILL fertilizer tax $ several years ago where they took grain samples and tested for P and K. Tests on average showed amount of P and K in grain about 25% less P and K than what standard removal rates showed. After results become public those in control of Fert tax $ that were used for research , decided that it was not in their best to go any farther with testing about amount of P and K in grain samples. Be kind of hard on those peddling fertilizer bottom line if demand dropped by 25% for Dap and Potash.
I find it interesting that you readily adopted this research and it is saving you (and most of us) considerable money. Yet is is funded with one of those "evil" checkoffs you dislike so much. Not picking a fight, just sayin'.
It is also interesting that during Blagoyovich's terms as governor, the state stole all the funds for this research and diverted it to the general fund. In 2012 special legislation created the Nutrient Research and Education Council and funded it with the $1/ton fertilizer checkoff. It is part of the Dept. of Ag and is managed by a board that represents farmers, fertilizer dealers, Dept. of Ag and environmental groups. I doubt you are correct that they killed this research. More likely since the samples were collected over several years and all over the state, they saw no need to continue to duplicate the research further and chose to invest the moneys into other new research. Sorry I'm not as cynical as you.