Maximize Fertilizer Efficiency with Grid Sampling

Aug 30, 2021


Grid sampling

Maximize your investment.

Apply fertilizer where it is needed, not where it isn’t.

Phosphorous (P), potassium (K), and soil pH have an optimal range in the soil. Underapplying fertilizer will lead to nutrient deficiency in the plant and reduced yields. Overapplying fertilizer will increase costs without improving yield. Soil tests provide the information needed to determine what rate of fertilizer will maximize yield potential without excessive cost.

Get precise with Grid Sampling and Variable Rate Spreading.

Grain yield, soil type, and farming practices such as tillage or manure application can vary within the same field, and all of these factors affect soil fertility. Over time these differences need to be corrected with a variable rate fertilizer/lime application. Grid soil sampling maps the variability in the field and creates a blueprint for a more precise fertilizer application.
 

Feed high yields. Manage low yields.

Yield variability exists in every field. Certain acres within a field will yield consistently higher than others due to the underlying soil and slope of the field. High yields remove more nutrients from the field and lead to lower soil fertility over time. Applying fertilizer at a flat rate means over fertilizing the lower yielding acres and under fertilizing the higher yielding acres. Variable rate spreading feeds high yielding acres the fertilizer needed to stay productive and manages low yielding acres by reducing the amount of fertilizer applied.
 

Optimize fertilizer plans for the needs of today.

Grid soil samples provide a much clearer picture of what is going on in the field but they are not the only factor that determines how much fertilizer to apply. Fertilizer prices, commodity prices, yield goals, crop rotation, and overall budget all determine what rate of fertilizer is best. Work with your agronomist to determine which approach is best for your operation.

 
 

Matt Siiro

Agronomist
 
 

Latest Posts

Mar 03,2023
With spring just around the corner, your cooperative is gearing up for another one of our seasonal rushes…spring planting season. Not only will we see our total employee count peak for the year, but nearly every asset in the company will be in use. While many businesses have equipment and buildings that are in use all year long, our grain and agronomy divisions have millions of dollars invested in some assets that only get used for a few months out of the year. It is critical that these assets are fully operational and ready to go when the season starts. Our agronomy operations team has spent the winter months going through all the equipment to make sure it's in good working order, unwrapping and greasing up the new sprayers, trucks and other equipment we’ve purchased this year, updating technology and precision tools on existing equipment, and conducting hours of training on its use and safety. 

In addition, the crop advisors and admin staff have been putting the finishing touches on crop plans and seed orders, wrapping up input financing and nutrient management plans, hiring and training new staff including college interns to help scout fields, and maybe taking a little time away to get rested for what is sure to be long days and short nights ahead. If you’re still looking to finalize plans for this planting season, please don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our highly trained crop advisors.

Gearing up for spring is not only about the equipment, but also the additional staff needed to provide the products and services our members rely on to help feed the world. Each year we try to fill about 100 full and part time positions at our eleven agronomy locations. These positions can last from six weeks up to eight months. Most seasonal positions involve delivering product to our members or directly to fields to keep our custom application machines running smoothly. If you or someone you know is interested in seasonal or year-round employment, please contact Shayla at our Mt Horeb office or stop by one of the agronomy locations. The hours can be flexible and available up to seven days a week. If agronomy work isn’t for you, ask about openings at any of our other locations including retail associates, plant operations, truck drivers, administrative professionals and more. Premier is always looking to add quality people to our team.

Thank you for your continued support of Premier Cooperative and its staff. Have a great month and stay safe!
Mar 03,2023
Cattle nutrient requirements can vary by season and stage of production. Now is a great time to evaluate your cattle mineral programs and map out a plan to maximize impact.

While minerals are a relatively small portion of the diet, they control many vital functions in cattle and impact everything from cattle reproduction to feed efficiency and overall herd health. That's why it’s so important to make sure the mineral needs of your cattle are being met year-round.
Mar 03,2023
I know many of you have plans in place for a spring burndown herbicide application. If not, here are a few reasons for you to get in contact with your Premier agronomist to do so. Spring burndown applications typically target winter annuals and perennial grasses that overwinter and resume growing as soon as temperatures warm in the spring.  As they get going in the field they immediately begin stealing water and nutrients from the soil, and can create planting challenges. With the onset of resistant weeds like waterhemp, and standby challenges like giant ragweed, it is a best practice recommendation to add a strong residual herbicide to your preplant spring burndown application.  Doing so helps keep populations down and gets ahead of your first early post application. Here are some tips for establishing clean fields that give your crop a strong start.