2019 taught us that rain is certainly a good thing, but definitely not in abundance. All that extra moisture takes a toll on crop nutrition. As planting is underway, farmers need to make sure they’re setting themselves up for success in 2020.
“There was a lot of challenges in 2019, and we’re already facing a number of different challenges here in 2020,” said Stephanie Zelinko, AgroLiquid agronomist. “Growers need to prepare themselves [and get] back to basics like looking at a good soil test, working with an agronomist that can help them build a fertility program and crop management program so they can make sure they’re spending those dollars in the best places to make the most out of that cropping season.”
Zelinko said that soil testing is key. After the test is conducted, she advises growers to look at the results and use the information to make the best decision for your fields.
“Don’t rely on what your neighbors are doing or any of the new, great technologies that might be out there that promise the next best thing,” she said. “Remain consistent with what you’ve done in your operation with things that you know work, and use those to your ability to provide top yield and the best crop for the 2020 growing season.”
If the last test was done a couple years ago, growers can still use that data. Now that planters are rolling, it might be too late to do a soil test. If you need to make some changes to your soil profile, Zelinko said some of that can be done with in-season applications.
“There’s a lot of opportunities and things that we can do later on that we can prepare for and focus on getting things done now—getting that seed in the ground with a good fertility program,” she said. “[Then] we can make some of those changes based upon that soil test or a tissue test taken in-season and worry about those a month or so down the line once our crop is up and actually growing.”
Since AgroLiquid’s products are in a liquid form, Zelinko says it gives a lot of flexibility for in-season application. To get in touch with an AgroLiquid agronomist to develop a targeted fertilizer program, visit AgroLiquid.com.
