Darrell Smith

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A complete physical exam can give you the piece of mind to keep doing what you’re doing, or it could uncover areas of concern. Soil is no different.
Farmers’ shift away from fall application of nitrogen for crops such as corn and sorghum is being reflected in changing retail practices, says Farm Journal Field Agronomist Ken Ferrie. “In my area of central Illinois, I know two fertilizer plants that have completely dropped anhydrous ammonia,” he says. “Their sales had shifted to spring application of nitrogen solution. While ammonia can be applied in the spring, farmers found it took up too much of their time when they needed to concentrate on planting, compared to nitrogen solution that can be applied as they plant or with herbicides.”
After rapid gains from vertical tillage, pH and fertility, the improvement pace slows down.
Despite heavy spring rains, crop residue will remain in place thanks to the healthy soil structure. However, unhealthy soil will give way to washing and erosion.
No matter how much management, labor and fertilizer you apply, and regardless of the quality of seed you plant, it’s the soil that underpins how much food and fiber you produce.
For Delta rice and soybean grower Gibb Steele, nutrient management protects profits as well as water
A properly equipped and maintained planter makes the difference between success and failure
Preplanning makes variable-rate technology cheaper and easier to manage for application of nitrogen and seed