Agronomy Insights

When farmers think of managing crops, soil and tissue sampling is not always front-of-mind as a regular practice. Throughout the summer of 2022, Southern States interns collected soil and tissue samples bi-weekly for one farmer whose crops include corn, soybeans, wheat, sorghum, and sunflowers - among others. This project placed a particular focus on corn and soybean fields.

In-season crop tissue analysis can uncover yield-robbing nutrient deficiencies before they impact your corn and soybean crop yields. Your Southern States Cooperative agronomy experts can help incorporate a tissue-testing plan into your nutrient management program.

From start to finish, phosphorus is a key team player with an important role in crop growth, development and productivity. Timing, availability and balancing with other nutrients help crops fully utilize available P. Start with fall soil testing to optimize P in your fertility program.

High-yielding crops pull nutrients from the soil ― more than farmers may realize. A plethora of tools are available to ensure that your fertility plan includes levels of nutrients needed for top yields. See your Southern States expert for help to get the needed nutrients on your acres.

Micronutrients can make the difference between average yields and a bumper crop. As important players on a balanced team of vital nutrients, micronutrients help crops withstand stress and optimize yields.

Achieving optimal soybean yields requires a nutrition program that works from planting to harvest. Research shows that inoculated seed helps produce greater yields and higher returns. Southern States agronomy experts can help you find an inoculant specific to your fields.

Thanks to higher yielding hybrids and cultivars, farmers are increasingly interested maximizing the crop’s genetic potential, including addressing micronutrient deficiencies. As with macro nutrients, increasing crop yields generally lead to greater micronutrient removal rates in grain and other harvested products. Other agronomic factors are valid reasons to explore if a micronutrient is limiting crop yield.

The tenets of 4R Nutrient Stewardship involve choosing the right source, applying the right rate, at the right time, in the right place for efficient crop use. Subscribing to these tenets carries with it a concern for the environment, the economic well-being of all both in agriculture and the public beyond. The best practices of managing N-P-K are based on these 4R principles and have proven to maximum the crops nutrient use while bringing home an ROI.

Nutrient loss from soil and water runoff is a leading source of contaminants in lakes, streams, and rivers. As good stewards of the land, farmers can take steps to reduce runoff, keep precious soil in place and increase profitability.