Make a soil health plan for 2021 and beyond

JOHNSTON, Iowa — A farmer’s nutrient management journey starts with a soil sample.

After the soil is analyzed, it’s time to develop a smart strategy to deliver nutrients in field throughout the season.

“Nutrient management is about taking what we learned from last year and using that information to build a plan for 2021,” said Matt Clover, Pioneer agronomy manager, during a webinar.

“We look at our yield trajectory for 2021. And then build a plan to get us on that path. We’ll monitor it throughout the season. We can use different methods to do that. Then we’ll take the information at the end of 2021 and use that to build the 2022 plan.”

The dance of soil fertility adjustments continues year to year.

Soil Nutrient Management Journey

• Fall soil sampling allows for a baseline of nutrient availability in the soil.

• Fall, spring and early summer nutrient applications are conducted.

• Plant tissue sampling shows the current, real-time nutrient status of the plant.

• Farmer must decide if corrective applications are needed early in the season, or if rescue applications are needed late in the season.

• Monitor yield levels and nutrient removal rates.

• Repeat.

Clover also shared pros and cons of broadcasting phosphorous and potassium.

Advantages:

• Good distribution in soil.

• Cheaper application costs.

• Range of tillage practices.

• Fall or spring application.

• Higher rates.

Disadvantages:

• Fixation of P and K.

• Phosphorus runoff.

• Vertical stratification in no-till.

When it comes to starter fertilizer, the pros include:

• Increased early plant growth.

• Better emergence in cold, wet soils.

• Increased efficiency.

The cons of starter fertilizer include:

• Lower safe rate of application.

• Salt injury and ammonia toxicity are possible.

Learn more about Pioneer at www.pioneer.com/us.