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Coping with high fertilizer costsBy D. Bruce Bosley CSU Extension Agent, cropping systems The cost of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers, essential inputs in our crop production system, has increased to levels never dreamed of. These fertilizer price hikes are making crop farmers re-think their crop fertility programs. All synthetic nitrogen fertilizer products begin as ammonia. Ammonia is produced primarily from natural gas and therefore N prices are sensitive to natural gas supplies. Natural gas price this year has increased and domestic supplies have dropped significantly as a result of rising global energy demands. As a consequence, the current price of nitrogen in ammonia has now risen to close to 70 cents a pound. Commercial phosphorus fertilizers are also produced using large energy inputs as well and are normally combined with ammonia to make either liquid or dry formulations. What can growers do to deal with a large increase in an input so essential to crop productivity? There are several interrelated practices that growers should consider in order to more efficiently manage nitrogen to achieve the best return for their fertilizer dollar. Contact me for a copy of the 2004 Fertilizer newsletter that reviews many of these practices and provides information on new N management strategies. Fertilizing fields based on soil tests and scientifically based fertilizer recommendations prove best in increasing yields and farm profits. Today's high wheat, corn, and other crop prices have raised enough to offset the increases in fertilizer prices. It's also time to re-evaluate your crop fertilizer philosophy. Is your philosophy one of feeding and balancing the soil, replacing the fertilizer removed from the crop to maintain fertilizer levels, or just apply enough fertilizer to meet the needs of this year's crop based on the soil and water fertilizer availability measured from laboratory analysis testing? In all instances, only the last philosophy has proven to be cost effective in maintaining farm profitably and sustainability. The first two methods normally result in higher fertilizer applications and costs with similar long term crop yields. Discuss these yield/cost relationships and fertilizer philosophies with your agriculture fertilizer consultant or Extension agent. The Great Plains Soil Fertility Conference is an excellent place to learn more about the science of crop fertility management. It happens in Denver on March 4 and 5. Contact Alan Blaylock, Conference Chair at 605-692-6280, or www.ipni.net/gpsfc. Irrigation efficiency can also impact fertilizer use effectiveness. For this reason, I recommend attending the Central Plains Irrigation Short Course and Exposition taking place in Greeley, Feb. 19 and 20. For more information and to make a registration contact Donna Lamm: 785-462-7574 (phone/fax), or 785-462-7140 (phone), or e-mail donnalamm@yaoo.com. Please contact me about this or other cropping systems or natural resources topics at 970-522-3200, extension 285 in Sterling or 970-542-3540 in Fort Morgan. 2/4/08 Date: 1/30/08 Advertisement
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