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Stay up-to-date on changes in farm fertilizers

There is a lot of information out there about farming fertilizers, and it can be daunting to digest it all. If you're searching for organic fertilizer news or just about the industry in general, you should try your best to stay informed about any changes in the industry. Check out industry leaders for daily updates if possible.

I recommend: The Southeast Farm Press posts news on its site daily. Subscribe through its RSS feeds to be updated when it posts new information on farm fertilizer. Look to a nationally-known publication like The New York Times and its fertilizer news section.

Sign up to receive crop fertilizer publications

Publications are a reliable way to obtain current information on the fertilizer industry. Familiarize yourself with changes of any sort to feeding operations, how to deal with the invasion of pesticides near fertilizer or dealing with nutrients within the agricultural fertilizer.

I recommend: The Fertilizer Institute publishes TFI Advocate monthly. You can search through previous issues on its site. The United States Environmental Protection Agency provides a list of nutrient management and fertilizer publications. Download them for free on its Ag Center page.

Join agriculture fertilizer associations to stay connected

Associations geared toward fertilizer for farming can be a valuable resource. Not only can you network and communicate with other members, but you are privy to recent news. You can also attend trade shows or conferences sponsored by associations; check the calendar of events for a gathering near your location.

I recommend: The U.S. Composting Council promotes recycling through composting and can be an informative resource when researching fertilizer news. The International Fertilizer Industry Association represents the global fertilizer industry. The Organic Fertilizer Association of California promotes organic fertilizer use through research and education. As a member, you can attend meetings or seminars and receive a regular newsletter.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Pay attention to the fertilizer companies in your general area. Sometimes local businesses suggest you sign up for their mailings, providing you with sales or coupons toward their products.

Guide to Farming Fertilizer

Get the most out of your farmland with farm fertilizer

By Denise Brown

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find fertilizer companies that provide dry fertilizer

Use dry fertilizer as both grass and aerated soil fertilizer. Apply the fertilizer in its dry form with a broadcast spreader. You can spread dry fertilizer during the winter months if you wish while the land lies fallow.

I recommend: The J.R. Simplot Company provides dry fertilizer in their Simplot Plant Nutrients line of products. Crop Production Services, a nationally known company, provides dry fertilizers to their customers as well.

Locate agriculture fertilizer in liquid form

Liquid fertilizer is a bit trickier to deal with than dry fertilizer, but with the proper tools it can be an effective way to fertilize your farm. Liquid fertilizer requires special equipment to 'knife,' or bury it into the ground. It's a good way to make use of animal waste material such as liquid manure.

I recommend: The Nutra-Flo Company offers a line of PureGrade products that include liquid fertilizers that are low in heavy metals and are environmentally friendly. Agro-Culture Liquid Fertilizers has been selling liquid fertilizers to their customers for over 40 years.

Seek out fertilizer companies that emphasize 'green' technologies

Organic farming is big business, and fertilizer companies realize their customers want organic fertilizers for their farmland. Even if a farmer isn't planting organic crops, he's still a good steward of the environment and wants to plant and fertilize 'green' as much as possible.

I recommend: For small amounts of organic fertilizer, Diatect International, Inc. offers a fertilizer that produces results for up to three months. AgriEnergy Resources offers a wide range of farm fertilizers in various chemical compounds. They are sure to have just the right combination of fertilizer to meet your organic farming needs.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  For many years farmers thought they had to apply their farm fertilizer in the spring, either just prior to planting or as they planted the crops. Scientists are now finding that's not necessarily the best practice. Farmers can apply fertilizer any time after harvest. By fertilizing in the off-season, a farmer can save money on his crop fertilizer by taking advantages of seasonal discounts.

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Compile the best supplies for farm fertilizers by researching what's needed

The types of fertilizer supplies you need for your facility vary according to the type of business you support. If you rely on liquid farm fertilizer, then you should realize that a secure containment facility works differently than one holding solid fertilizer. Pay attention to any changes in guidelines; you need to be compliant on all regulations.

I recommend: The Ohio State University compiled a checklist to determine if the bulk storage unit you're interested in adheres to national regulations. The South Dakota Department of Agriculture offers guidelines to consider when dealing with on-site fertilizer storage and handling. The United States Environmental Protection Agency provides a general overview on how to handle storage as well as offering recommendations for problems that may occur.

Buy storage equipment to house your fertilizer for farming

If you make your own fertilizer on-site or import it from another company, then you need to have a place to house the fertilizer until you distribute it. By securing storage units on your facility, you can have access to the chemical compound any time you desire.

I recommend: Ranco Fertiservice sells volumetric blenders and tank systems to store the farm fertilizer. Look to Waconia Manufacturing as it sells floor or bend systems to store the fertilizer. It works with your facility to design a custom-made storage unit for your crop fertilizer.

Purchase machinery to spread the farming fertilizers

You can't use your fertilizer on the ground without proper spreading and hauling equipment. With many facilities owning hundreds of acres of land, it would be too tedious to spread the fertilizer simply by scooping it out of the back of a truck.

I recommend: Look to the Fertilizer Equipment Specialists, as it assists in the sales of new and used machinery. From mowers to sprayers, spinners to applicators, check out its site for your fertilizer needs. Visit Adams Fertilizer Equipment for its wide array of fertilizer machinery. Marketed mainly to fertilizer dealers, farmers, golf course and park maintenance personnel, it has a complete line of fertilizing hauling equipment.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Check with farm fertilizer companies to see who they do their business with; occasionally you may find a company to buy supplies for farming fertilizer through word of mouth.

Guide to Farming Fertilizer Key Terms

Understand farming fertilizer key terms to make the best choices for your bottom line

By Denise Brown

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Nitrogen

The first of the key elements in farming fertilizer, nitrogen (N) is critical for growing grains such as corn and soybeans. Some plants - legumes - can store and use nitrogen more readily than others. Because nitrogen quickly leaches out of the soil, it's important that you apply it appropriately to your field so you get the most value from its application.

I recommend: Read the white paper on nitrogen from Cornell University.

Phosphate or phosphorus

Phosphate (P) commonly comes in rock form that manufacturers of fertilizer crush into dust. Because this process can be costly, manufacturers use other processes to make a less expensive product. One method is to wash water over the phosphorus and then use the sludge as fertilizer either in its wet form or as a dried product.

I recommend: See the information about phosphorus from the University of Minnesota.

Potash

Potash (K) is the third ingredient in most fertilizers. Potash causes vigorous root growth and slows down crop diseases.

I recommend: The Potash and Phosphate Institute offers an explanation of the uses of potash.

Fertilizer ratio

This is the amount of nitrogen, phosphate and potash in a fertilizer mixture. Typically, the ratio looks like this: 10-10-10. Nitrogen is always the first ingredient, phosphate the second and potash the third. If a fertilizer mixture has more phosphate and no potash it may look like this: 10-20-0.

I recommend: Old House Web discusses the importance of getting the right ratio of fertilizer components for your soil.

Soil test

Save money by performing a test of your soil. This can determine the exact ratio of fertilizers you need to produce your crops. Your local extension office is a good source of information about soil-testing procedures in your area.

I recommend: The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services offers advice on how to take a soil test.

Spreader calibration

After you get the right combination of nutrients in your fertilizer, it's important that you spread the fertilizer evenly. Calibrate your spreader to give you the precise coverage you want. If possible, use a GPS system to ensure accurate coverage as well.

I recommend: Find out how to calibrate a farm fertilizer spreader at Rittenhouse.