Phosphorus

Phosphorus Availability in Manure Applications to Soil

December 12, 2014 | Posted in Nutrient Management

Source: Kansas State University Extension

The total phosphorus content in manure varies depending on the animal species, age, diet and how the manure has been stored.

What I've Learned from No-Tilling

Breaking Through the No-Till Barrier with Cover Crops

Adding winter wheat, livestock and cover crops helped Paul Ackley overcome his no-till plateau, simplify his planter and build more productive soils.

By Martha Mintz posted on December 8, 2014 | Posted in No-Till Farming 101, Cover Crops

I never was one to like tillage. It just didn’t make sense. You would go through and make a perfect seedbed to plant into and then, without fail, you couldn’t get back in the field with the planter before it would rain. Then you would have to start all over again.

Environment, Genetics Play Key Roles In Maximizing Root Growth

No-tillers looking to develop a healthier, stronger root system will want to focus on how to create optimal soil environments that interact well with good genetics.

By Laura Barrera posted on December 1, 2014 | Posted in Nutrient Management, Soil Health

No-tillers may keep an eye on what’s going on aboveground throughout the growing season, but what's taking place belowground can also have a big impact on crop health and yield.

No-Till Notes

Assess Runoff Risk To Keep More Nutrients In No-Tilled Fields

Using split ‘N’ applications, covers and advanced fertilizer products can improve yields and fight negative perceptions about farming.

By Daniel Davidson posted on November 1, 2014 | Posted in Nutrient Management

Let’s be honest, farming creates a risk that fertilizers and manures applied won’t always stay there. And when that happens we’re put in the spotlight, as you’ve seen with recent news reports about algal blooms contaminating popular waterways.

High-Tech Soil Tests, Mapping Take No-Tillers Beyond N, P & K

A wave of cutting-edge diagnostic tools has arrived that can help no-tillers make more informed decisions about cropping and inputs.

By Jennifer Ryan posted on November 1, 2014 | Posted in Nutrient Management, Precision Agriculture

Traditional soil tests go a long way toward helping growers gauge the amount of nutrients needed for fields.

Seven Tips For Collecting A Representative Soil Sample

October 24, 2014 | Posted in Soil Health

Source: Kansas State University Extension

At first glance, soil sampling would seem to be a relatively easy task. However, when you consider the variability that likely exists within a field because of inherent soil formation factors and past production practices, the collection of a representative soil sample becomes more of a challenge.

Economist Says Taxing Phosphorus Could Reduce Risk Of Algal Blooms

September 29, 2014 | Posted in Nutrient Management

Source: Ohio State University Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics

While agricultural scientists, policymakers and farmers are investigating ways to reduce the risk of severe algal blooms that stem from phosphorus, an Ohio State University environmental economist suggests an economic response could be the most cost-effective one.

Best Management Practices For Keeping Phosphorus On Fields

August 26, 2014 | Posted in Nutrient Management

Source: Ohio State University Extension

Looking at current field research and the literature available on the topic of minimizing losses of phosphorus at the edge of the field, the following recommendations are a starting point to maximizing productivity while minimizing environmental impacts on water quality.