For corn, annual nitrogen application rate was up a pound, phosphate the same, and potash down 2 pounds. On soybeans, application rates were down for all nutrients. On cotton, rates were up for all nutrients. Only one wheat state was surveyed so comparison to 1998 was not done. Potatoes received the highest annual application rates per acre for field crops, with nitrogen averaging 222 pounds, phosphate 176 pounds, and potash 167 pounds.
Most fertilizer is applied at or before planting on field crops.