When Do You Feed Your Crops?

Adjust fertilizer applications for better nutrient uptake.

- Chelsea Dinterman

In many cases, the highest-yielding crops are coddled by a team of experts. Perfectly chosen seed, near-constant scouting, and spoon-fed nutrition are cornerstones of record-breaking production.

While applying the perfect nutrients at the perfect time may lead to high yields, that's not economically viable for most production systems. The average farmer knows each pass across the field costs extra time and money when there's often none to spare.

That's not to say there are no lessons to be learned from highly managed acres. A scaled-back approach to maximizing fertilizer timing can offer production gains.

Know the Baseline and Target

A solid grasp on the field's starting point and goals is key to creating an effective fertility schedule. A complete soil test, measuring organic matter, pH, macronutrients, and micronutrients, shows which issues should take priority. A general idea of soil texture and field landscape can guide best practices.