The decision to apply fertilizer in the fall is often a juggling act between agronomic, environmental and economic risk. Fall applied nutrients have more opportunity for loss by leaching or runoff, but the potential for compaction is greater in the spring.
Compaction can dramatically cut yields and affect profits.
Attempting too many field operations in the spring may delay planting resulting in significant yield losses, but start fertilizer may compensate for late planting. Nutrient efficiency, maximizing yield, and time management are all factors that must be considered in the decision related to applying fertilizer in the fall. All rights reserved.