Discarding “Traditional” Practices: Now Use Less To Make More

from Western Farm, Ranch and Dairy Magazine – West/Southwest, Spring–Summer 2022

much easier on the operator Exploding Costs Require Farmers to Grow Smarter

Exploding Costs Require Farmers to Grow Smarter

Discarding “Traditional” Practices: Now Use Less To Make More

By Noel Garcia, CCA – Chief Operating Officer & Senior Consultant, TPS Lab

While farmers have always had to carefully manage inputs costs, 2020 ushered in a new era of even more daunting problems of which every farmer is now painfully aware. And indications are that all costs and other problems will continue to escalate for the foreseeable future. Farmers had already been trimming seed and chemical expenses since 2016, now they must determine where there may be some more room to cut further. Unfortunately, many start cutting in areas that affect overall production such as fertilizer, chemicals, consultants, and testing. This will undoubtedly lead to a decrease in yields with the current high expenses result in a poor return on investment. Cutting input costs that lower yields is a very poor choice when trying to solve the cost price squeeze. Maximum Economic Yields (MEY) come from spreading fixed costs over high yields to lower the unit costs of production. As fertilizer prices increase, increasing crop yields offers more opportunities than reducing traditional methods of fertilizer applications to increase profits. Fertilizer prices are skyrocketing, slamming farmers already buckling under the strain of rising costs. Monoammonium Phosphate (MAP) and Diammonium phosphate (DAP) increased from $250/Ton in June 2020 to over $700/Ton in October 2021. Urea was averaging $250/Ton in January 2019 to over $600/Ton in October 2021. More than any time before, farmers can’t afford to guess about fertilizer use. TPS Lab’s Ask The Plant® program including Plant Natural® Soil test and Ask The Plant® Sap Analysis provide precision answers. These tests can net out huge savings in fertilizer costs by using only the amounts needed by the crop. Following the “4 ‘R’s” of Nutrient Stewardship provides a framework to achieve cropping systems goals, such as increased production, increased profitability, enhanced environmental protection and improved sustainability. To achieve these goals farmers must apply the Right Fertilizer source at the Right Rate, at the Right Time and in the Right Place. The implementation of Best Management Practices (BMP) that optimize the efficiency of fertilizer use is also a requirement. Fertilizer BMP must match nutrient supply with crop targets to minimize nutrient losses from fields. Efficiency of fertilizer recovery (how much of the nutrient applied did the plant actually take up?) can be greatly improved by balanced soil fertility and use of biological inoculants, bio-stimulants such as organic acids and hormones that improve physiological actions of plants. TPS Lab’s Ask The Plant® fertility program can dramatically improve the applied fertilizer efficiency while decreasing input costs (Range from 15 – 40% reduction in this time of high fertilizer costs), improving yields and return on investment. Sustainable long-term profitability starts with topsoil and subsoil analysis (Plant Natural® Soil Test) that is truly calibrated to actual plant uptake. The recommendations will set a nutrient budget for the season that will be tweaked inseason with Ask The Plant® Sap Analysis that allows the crop to make the final decisions on its needs. Otherwise, how are we to know what the plant requirements are at each stage of growth with so many factors that influence the plant nutrient utilization (biotic and abiotic stresses)?

Normal recovery of fertilizer applied: Nitrogen (N) 60 – 80% Phosphorous (P2O5) 15 – 30% Potassium (K2O) 55 – 70%

TPS Lab’s Ask The Plant® fertility program can improve recovery to: Nitrogen (N) 90 – 95% Phosphorous (P2O5) 50 – 70% Potassium (K2O) 75 – 90%

Timing Is Everything! Example: We most often see farmers applying high-N “pop-up” starter fertilizers at planting – or especially in the Midwest, with its high organic matter and cool, damp soils, applying N as either Urea or Anhydrous in the Fall to “warehouse” it to the Spring. But Soil makes a very inefficient and leaky warehouse! So, at least some N is lost during the Winter for what’s left to be available to the crop at sprouting – when it needs that N the least, to be finally be depleted by the time the crop needs it the most – same as when it is used as part of a pop-up. Money lost in inefficient and unnecessary use of Nitrogen! That money would have been much better spent on P and K to build roots at pre-plant! Correcting soil nutrients for balanced nutrient supply is essential for a healthy crops and soil. Maintain with balanced fertilizer (Macro and Micronutrients) plus adjuvants to increase uptake efficiency for best return on costs. Feeding the crop what, when and how much it needs for maximum returns of yield and quality is critical for healthy plants that require less herbicides, fungicides and pesticides. Only TPS Lab adjusts plant sufficiency standards to fit needs according to crop physiology that change with age. This allows maximizing the plant genetic potential by beginning the sap testing as early as the 3-4 leaf stage unlike “traditional” sampling programs that don’t begin until late vegetative or early reproductive stage. By that time, you have limited your potential production by missing key essential physiological triggers (micronutrients and stress) that enhance yield and quality early in the vegetative stage of growth. More money lost at harvest. Some key physiological principles to key in mind: • Plants eat and drink every day • Nitrogen and Potash utilize about 1 pound per day of each nutrient and 1/5 to 1/3 as much Phosphate balanced with other minerals and micronutrients – varies among crops • The soil is a poor and expensive store house for N, P & Micronutrients (Zn, Fe. Mn, Cu, B, Mo, Co, Se, Si) – apply only as needed for best cost effectiveness! • Only Ask The Plant® Sap Analysis can tell you what, when and how much nutrients are needed to maximize genetic potential • Proper adjuvants improve performance: Amino Acids, Humic Acids, Fulvic Acids, Phytohormones, Soil Inoculants, etc. • Soil Health compromised of a diverse population of bacteria and fungi is vital for nutrient recycling and disease suppression • There are no “Absolutes in Nature” – constantly changing every season. No magic formulas or miracle cures! Maintaining balanced nutrition and vigorous soil life at every stage of your plants’ life cycle will ensure that no matter what challenge Mother Nature sends, your crops will have the best chance of making you money. Soil, Water and Sap testing is one of the best investments a grower can make, especially during these times of uncertainty with exorbitant fertilizer prices. These tools will help you understand where you need to focus your energy and resources. The goal is to provide the best possible environment for your crops. When we correct our soil’s nutritional imbalances, we facilitate maintaining adequate levels of nutrients in our plants as they develop. As crops grow, their nutritional needs change and meeting those needs will greatly reduce the harmful stresses that prevent the plant from reaching is maximum genetic potential. Simultaneously, we reduce the need for insecticides and fungicides that reduce overall profit. The use of consultants willing to council you about your plans and goals is advisable. Plan and prepare for a successful crop by learning what your soil needs to be healthy and what you need to restore that health. Include soil inoculants and cover crops in your plan and you will ensure vital relationships are maintained in the plant root environment for the entire season which will ensure your best bottom line. e