Released February 2, 2009
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- ‘Tis the season when a young man’s fancy gently turns to thoughts of…fertilizer. Cropping plans are under way, varieties have been selected, fertilizer purchase decisions have been made or are under way, and growers are thinking about each field’s nutrient needs. To help them do this, the Michigan State University (MSU) Integrated Pest Management Crop Advisory Team (CAT) is producing a special CAT Alert issue on fertilizer decisions.
This online resource features up-to-date recommendations about the nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium needs for corn, wheat, soybeans, sugarbeets, alfalfa and dry beans from MSU Extension specialists and educators.
“Question everything these days,” advises Natalie Rector, MSU Extension nutrient management specialist and the coordinator for this CAT Alert. “In 2008, fertilizer and commodity prices proved how volatile and irrational markets can be. Nitrogen and phosphorus prices have been coming down, but they are still twice what they were several years ago, and the price of potash has quadrupled. It’s time to question everything, including the way you have always fertilized crops. Could you be just as successful in harvesting high yields with lower fertilizer inputs?”
The CAT Alert also includes links to resources related to micronutrients and commercial additives and information about the importance of not delaying post-emergence weed control.
“Another look at fertilizers” can be found on the field crop CAT Alert Web site at: http://ipm.msu.edu/fertilizer2009.htm.
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http://anrcom.msu.edu/press/020109/020209_newfertilizer.htm
Contact: Laura Probyn, 517-432-1555, ext. 175
