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Farmers striving to learn more about crop needs

Farmers are gaining more insight into the needs of their crops.

Ross Bender, senior agronomist for The Mosaic Company, says agriculture is one of the most complex sciences there is.

“So with respect to fertility, it’s really important that you consider what your crops need, what they’re removing, and what your soil tests are calling for from a nutrient perspective and starting to tailor your program to what those crops will need.”

He tells Brownfield there’s no shortage of information when making nutrient management decisions.

“Probably the biggest challenge I’ve seen is how to use some of that information.  How do we covert that into decisions?  And back to nutrients, making sure the right nutrients are on the right acre.”

Bender says the 4R’s (right source, right rate, right time, and right place) play a big part.

“And the crux behind nutrient management is if you can do a better job managing the nutrients, you improve the return on that investment.”

Bender says he’s encouraged by farmers who are paying closer attention to both macro and micro-nutrients and predicts that trend will continue.