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January 3, 2023
 
 
 
 
 
 
Iowa Farmer Goes Bushels Up and Fertilizer Down with Biologicals
 
Matt Brincks’ Iowa farm is home to an eye-popping see-saw. In the past decade, his average yields have climbed 30 bu. in corn and 12 bu. in soybeans — all while his fertilizer use has dipped by half in nitrogen and two-thirds in phosphorus and potassium.
 
 

As nutrient prices climb to alarming levels, Jon Stevens’ decade-long series of input trials is paying dividends in 2022. The Minnesota grower adheres to a simple formula: The only data worth keeping is found on-farm.

 
 

Urea can be used to replace part of your spring nitrogen needs, but be aware of the risks before you decide to move forward. The same is true for a mono-crop, especially if you choose continuous corn. Farm Journal Field Agronomist Ken Ferrie addresses some questions farmers are asking.

 
 

Farmers have long focused on banding starter fertilizer 2x2 at planting — 2" over and 2" below the seed. While the process works, Farm Journal Field Agronomist Missy Bauer says delivering nutrition to a plant’s roots sooner might be worth the effort.

 
 

For years, Brian Scott tried to grow corn and soybeans on a rented farm that featured nine acres of sandy soils fit for a Florida beach. In 2017, he bought the farm, and in 2021, he seeded the sandy patch to a prescribed pollinator mix and enrolled it in CRP. “We figure by the third year, we’ll make a little money,” he says. “If nothing else, we're reducing fertilizer, energy and pesticide costs.”

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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