This family farm finds that sound environmental practices pay off. The Numbers Behind Fertilizer Decisions Mike Ellis applies most of his nitrogen to corn as a sidedressing. The farm's crop scout uses presidedress nitrogen tests to determine the rate needed in each part of a field. Using Global Positioning Systems and a large number of soil samples to apply phosphorus puts that nutrient where it's needed. This prevents adding phosphorus where levels are already high.
Some people say that keeping potash at high levels is like having money in the bank.
If it's more than the crop will use, it's like putting money in a coffee can and burying it. He and the University of Kentucky's Scott Shearer also found a zinc deficiency in the 2,500-acre corn crop. The first year, they found a 7-bushel yield response by applying liquid zinc at planting. The second year, they applied less expensive granular zinc through the modified insecticide boxes on their planter and found a 5-bushel response. Because of his crop rotation, he doesn't use a soil insecticide.