Managing for Profit

Inaccurate fertilizer application hurts bottom line

Farmers should make sure fertilizer spreaders are maintained correctly so that the amount of fertilizer applied is consistent and accurately placed.  Poorly adjusted spreaders result in lost corn yield, according to Peter Scharf, nutrient management specialist at the University of Missouri.

“If you put on less than what the crop needs, you’re going to leave that crop crippled and unable to reach its full potential,” Scharf told Brownfield Ag News.  “If you put on more than what it needs, then it was a waste of a resource, but at least the crop is going to have enough to do its job.”

Scharf talked to Brownfield during a crop management workshop at the University of Missouri Bradford Research Center.

AUDIO: Peter Scharf (3 min. MP3)