More in Fertilizer

Jul. 12, 2012

Article

The 2012 Drought: Nutrient deficiency problems created

The dry conditions that continue to persist over much of Illinois and the Midwest are causing nutrient deficiency problems. Unfortunately, only rainfall will fix some of these problems....More
Jun. 25, 2012

Article

Are we really seeing potassium-deficient corn and soybean?

...More
Jun. 13, 2012

Article

Firm demand and project delays keep fertilizer markets tight

The International Fertilizer Industry Association (IFA) released its Medium-Term Fertilizer Outlook 2012-2016 today. The report shows that demand for fertilizer is steadily increasing in response to supportive agricultural market fundamentals, while expansion of supply is still delayed because of schedule slippages for about half of projects....More
Jun. 4, 2012

Article

Instinct nitrogen stabilizer from Dow AgroSciences receives EPA approval

Corn growers may now use Instinct Nitrogen Stabilizer from Dow AgroSciences for sidedress nitrogen applications up to the V6 growth stage. Dow just received EPA approval to use Instinct in this manner....More
May 31, 2012

Article

Pre-sidedress nitrate test for determining nitrogen levels

Although nitrogen loss potential has been very low this year, people are asking University of Illinois assistant professor of crop sciences Fabián Fernández how much nitrogen they should apply at sidedress and what tools are available to determine the amount needed. ...More
May 1, 2012

Article

Nutrient status of the soil as of April 25

According to University of Illinois assistant professor of crop sciences Fabián Fernández, most of the nitrogen applied last fall is probably still in the soil. However, some fields are showing what appears to be a nutrient-deficient crop. He said that, at the end of February, most of the nitrogen was still present, mainly in the ammonium form, in fields in central Illinois that received a late November application of 150 lb. of nitrogen per acre with NServe. ...More
Mar. 15, 2012

Article

Two products make nitrogen in manure more available to growing plants

Farmers can now find more products to make the nitrogen in manure more available to plants. This winter SFP introduced the newest product, called More Than Manure (MTM). Dow AgroSciences introduced Instinct two years ago. Both products stabilize nitrogen in manure, which means the nitrogen will not leach into soil and water. Denitrification into the atmosphere also is minimized. As a result, more nitrogen is available to plants when they need it for growth. ...More
Mar. 12, 2012

Article

Methods for handling corn residue without tillage

Corn residue cumulated after high-yielding crops should someday make a great source of cellulosic ethanol. “University research suggests that at a high yield level (200 bu./acre or more), growers can remove 40% of stover without negatively impacting soil organic matter,” reports Andy Heggenstaller, Pioneer Hi-Bred agronomy research manager. “As we move forward, cellulosic ethanol production may become a common form of residue management.”...More
Feb. 13, 2012

Article

New manure additive from SFP enhances nitrogen stability

Farmers have a new product from SFP that will improve the stability of nitrogen and phosphorus in manure, making these nutrients more available to plants. The product is called More Than Manure and may be used on any type of manure, including both liquid and dry....More
Jan. 17, 2012

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Photo gallery: High-speed anhydrous applicators

It used to be that growers who wanted to inject anhydrous ammonia in their fields basically had one option. Knives, fitted with nozzles and closing wheels, dug a furrow in the ground about 6 to 8 in. deep and filled it with fertilizer. But recently, some manufacturers have introduced an alternative to this called “high-speed, low-draft” (HSLD) applicators that use single-disc coulters instead of knives to place the fertilizer. The new applicators work at a shallower depth, typically 3 to 5 in. Here is just a sampling of coulter-based anhydrous applicators on the market.
Jan. 17, 2012

Article

Makers of nutrient applicators say their coulter-only systems are giving knives a run for their money

It used to be that growers who wanted to inject anhydrous ammonia in their fields basically had one option. Knives, fitted with nozzles and closing wheels, dug a furrow in the ground about 6 to 8 in. deep and filled it with fertilizer. But recently, some manufacturers have introduced an alternative called “high-speed, low-draft” (HSLD) applicators that use single-disc coulters instead of knives to place the fertilizer. The new applicators work at a shallower depth, typically 3 to 5 in. Manufacturers that make them say they are about sold out....More
Jan. 6, 2012

Article

Seasonal fertilizer prices

Graphs presented here show monthly fertilizer prices beginning in the fall prior to planting through spring and summer. From fall 2008 though summer 2011, prices generally decreased from fall through spring. This decreasing pattern exists primarily because of the dramatic price decreases occurring in 2008-09. Comparing of price patterns across all three years does not suggest a predictable pattern between fall and spring prices....More
Dec. 12, 2011

Article

Deep-banded fertilizer into soybeans questioned

The practice of deep banding fertilizer with strip-till into soybeans may be costing growers more than it is worth. A University of Illinois study showed that while strip-till produced an increase in soybean yields, using it as a fertilizer application method did not....More
Nov. 4, 2011

Article

Bayer CropScience to license Stoller technology

A licensing agreement has been negotiated between Bayer CropScience and Stoller Enterprises to allow Bayer access to Stoller’s technology....More
Oct. 20, 2011

Article

Applying fall fertilizer at the right time, rate and in the right form 1

With fertilizer prices trending higher and supplies tighter, farmers should talk with their local fertilizer dealer to make sure they are “applying the right rate, in the right form, at the right time,” says Bruce Erickson, agronomic education manager, American Society of Agronomy....More
Oct. 10, 2011

Article

Agrotain purchase completed

In early October, Koch Agronomic Services completed its purchase of Agrotain International, an acquisition that was announced in late July. Koch Agronomic Services is a subsidiary of Koch Fertilizer. Koch Industries is the parent company and is listed by Forbes as one of the largest private companies in the United States....More
Sep. 28, 2011

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Farm Industry News

Interest in Dow's nitrogen stabilizer Instinct grows

Growers looking for ways to improve yields are more frequently using Dow AgroSciences' nitrogen stabilizer called Instinct. Product manager Amir Faghih says Instinct may be used with fertilizer and manure to keep the nitrogen from leaching out of the soil....More
Sep. 8, 2011

Article

Fertilizer prices expected higher than last season

Corn and soybean growers should expect to see higher fertilizer prices for the 2012 crop, but not at extremely high levels of the past. Purdue economists predict increases of 10 to 15%. And supplies will be tight, but not "impossibly tight."...More
Aug. 9, 2011

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Farm Industry News

Agrotain agrees to sell to Koch Agronomic Services

Agrotain announced plans to sell its assets to Koch Agronomic Services, a subsidiary of Koch Fertilizer....More
Jul. 26, 2011

Article

Koch Agronomic Services to buy Agrotain

Agrotain International has agreed to sell its assets to Koch Agronomic Services, LLC, a subsidiary of Koch Fertilizer, LLC....More
Jul. 11, 2011

Article

Wanted: Iowa corn and soybean growers, by July 14, for nutrient study

The Iowa Soybean Association On-Farm Network is seeking growers for a statewide project this summer to evaluate the current status of soil and plant nutrients. The cutoff date for enrollment is July 14....More
Jul. 7, 2011

Article

Applying nitrogen "late in the game"

Applying nitrogen in July may not be in a grower’s plan, but for some corn fields throughout the Midwest, it is needed as soon as possible, says a University of Illinois Extension specialist....More
Jun. 30, 2011

article

Why some soybean fields are looking less than lush

Some soybean fields are exhibiting a slight yellowing of leaves, causing many growers to be concerned that soybeans might be in need of additional fertilization....More
Jun. 29, 2011

article

Anhydrous ammonia prices: Continued increases likely

Anhydrous ammonia prices in Illinois have been slowly increasing since the beginning of 2011....More
Jun. 16, 2011

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Sidedressing nitrogen for the corn crop

Fabian Fernandez, University of Illinois Extension specialist in soil fertility and plant nutrition, answers growers' questions about nitrogen application....More