THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 5, 1995 TAG: 9510040177
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Guest Column
SOURCE: BY HARRY O. DALTON
LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines
Ever increasing input costs and dwindling returns means sound nutrient management practices are more important than ever. Recent world and domestic events have led to a sharp increase in the price of nitrogen.
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation began the Nutrient Management Program to help farmers save money by handling their nutrients more efficiently. Through this program, DCR advocates cost-effective, economic use of fertilizer regardless of the source. This approach helps the farmer's wallet, and it happens to be more environmentally sound as well by reducing nutrient levels in agricultural runoff.
There are some easy ways to make nutrients, especially nitrogen, work at peak performance. First, don't expect more from a field than it's capable of giving. Few fields and few soils in Virginia can produce 150 bushels/acre of corn year after year. Base expected yields on a five-year average, disregarding the two lowest yielding years.
Second, test soil regularly. If the pH is too high or low, certain nutrients and micronutrients will not be available to the plant. Why buy and apply fertilizer when a crop can't use it because of improper pH levels? If funds are short and pH isn't in the optimum range, use lime to help free nutrients that are ``tied up'' in the soil. Soil testing may also reduce or eliminate the need for certain nutrient supplements by revealing their current levels.
Third, give credits to other sources of fertilizer such as legumes, manure, sludge or carryover from a low-yielding crop. Consider these nutrients ``free.'' Free manure testing is available to farmers so that this source can be substituted for commercial fertilizer. The use of a soil nitrate test at sidedress time on corn can also help. This test, which is also free and can be done ``in-house'' the day the sample is taken, provides recommendations on how much, if any, supplemental nitrogen is needed.
Fourth, calibrate and check application equipment regularly. It's the only way to ensure precise application of fertilizers and manures.
Equally important to nutrient use are proper timing and placement. Splitting nitrogen applications at planting and later at the maximum plant uptake stage ensures that nitrogen is there when it's needed. The more precise applications and application rates of these nutrient management practices mean that less total nitrogen will be used, and every pound counts.
Precision applications are recommended for manure, too. When substituted for commercial fertilizer, manure should be allocated over as many fields as possible to help lower the fertilizer bill. The field nearest the barn could probably do without manure for a few years, but take a soil test just to be sure.
Nutrient management pays in other ways, too. For instance, there's a state tax credit of 25 percent up to $3,750 for purchasing precision application equipment. Nutrient management plans are also necessary to pursue certain cost-share funds available for the installation of certain soil and water conservation measures called ``best management practices.'' To qualify, these plans must be approved by the local soil and water conservation district. MEMO: Harry O. Dalton is a nutrient management specialist at the Virginia
Department of Conservation and Recreation. If you'd like to know more
about nutrient management or would like a plan written for your
operation, call Dalton at 925-2469.
by CNB