Transcript Fertilizer Management in No

Fertilizer Management in No-Till Farming
Cody Goodknight
Chattanooga, OK
Quick Facts

Soils in no-till systems are cooler and store more
water.
 Soils under no-till management contain more
organic matter.
 Soil structure of a no-till field is more resistant to
erosion, run-off, and leaching.
 Conversion to no-till results in greater risk and
requires greater management input.
Topics
 Need
for precision in no-till farming
 Crop rotation
 Fertilizer Applications
Need for Precision in No-Till
Need for Precision in No-Till
 Controlled
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
traffic
Compaction by any type of machinery can
decrease yields.
Wrong way traffic decreases in-field speed
and efficiency.
Need for Precision in No-Till
 Guidance




systems
Overlaps are not only a loss of time but also
expensive chemical.
Mistakes will not be visible for several days.
Mistakes stay in the field much longer than in
conventional tillage.
The system will be used year round for every
crop.
Crop Rotation
Crop Rotation
 Weed




control
Keep every crop clean and fallow clean.
Weeds steal valuable moisture and nutrients.
Weeds cause problems in planting.
Small weeds are easier to kill than big weeds.
Crop Rotation
 Crop




choice
Choose crops that fit your environment,
equipment, and budget.
Consider livestock grazing and hay needs.
Always keep some residue on the ground.
Less fallow time equals more profit.
Fertilizer Applications
Fertilizer Applications
 The
3 essential nutrients for cereal
production are nitrogen, phosphorus, and
potassium.
 All are needed to optimize yields but
nitrogen is the most limiting and the key
factor in a successful fertilizer program.
Fertilizer Applications
 Three

popular sources
Anhydrous Ammonia = NH3 or 82-0-0
• Least expensive but most difficult to apply.

Granular Urea = 46-0-0
• Blended with other fertilizers and easier to apply.

Liquid Nitrogen = 28-0-0
• Applied with herbicides and less toxic to seedlings.
Fertilizer Applications
 Crop
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
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residue
Nitrogen response of wheat in no-till may be
higher.
Organic matter left undisturbed can be broken
down into valuable nutrients.
Variety of residues means a variety of
benefits.
Sources
 http://www.ext.colostate.edu
 http://ianrnews.unl.edu
 http://www.reducedtillage.ca
 http://www.nature.com
 http://juniper.tamu.edu
Questions?