Fertilizer is a key soil amendment containing key nutrients to improve crop growth and quality. But while fertilizer is vital for Canadian farmers, it can also easily be misused. Common challenges such as over fertilization and using the wrong type of fertilizer can do more harm than good for your fields.
Trusted by farmers throughout the Canadian prairies, Norstar Agriculture is committed to supporting sustainable farming with agriculture consultancy services. Discover all about fertilizer with us, including common issues, advice, and more. Keep reading below.
The Power of Fertilizers
Macronutrients, such as phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen, are required for crops to mature fully. These key nutrients are responsible for multiple plant processes, including photosynthesis, cell formation and growth, and water uptake. Over time, these nutrients become depleted from the soil, leaving fields unbalanced.
But fertilizer is not a one-size-fits-all solution to field health. Fertilizers don’t automatically increase yields but instead support greater growth opportunities. One of the main benefits of fertilizers is that they stimulate growth, potentially leading to more crop yields through nutrient ion exchange. Fertilizer also comes in different macronutrient proportions using NPK ratios, giving farmers greater control over soil composition.
Balancing Fertilizer Use
One of the most common challenges when using fertilizers is knowing how much to use. Fertilizer misuse is exceedingly common, leading to both wasted product and damaged crops. But how will you know if you’re using the right amount of fertilizer and getting the full benefits? Here are three of the most common fertilizer misuse issues with indicators:
Under-fertilization
- Fertilizer replenishes essential macronutrients, and if your soil is otherwise unbalanced, you may notice slower crop growth than usual. Another sign of possible under-fertilization includes weaker, less developed stems and leaves.
Over-fertilization
- Using more fertilizer than crops need can be detrimental to plant growth. Excess fertilizer in the soil makes it more difficult for plant roots to reach water and can also block root growth.
Fertilizer Content
- While almost all fertilizers contain some sort of salt, overall salinity compositions will differ significantly. Both liquid and granular fertilizers will have a salt index rating, which calculates how much fertilizer will increase in salinity compared to sodium nitrate. Generally, fertilizers with low salt index ratings have a lower chance of negatively oversaturating crops with high salt.
If you’re concerned about your field’s fertility, Norstar Agriculture’s fully mobile agronomists are here to help. We’re industry experts in soil testing and enrichment, treating over 47,000 acres across the Canadian prairies.
Precision Fertilizer Techniques
Precision fertilizer techniques aim to improve crop production while using less fertilizer and overall resources. These methods utilize various technologies, like GPS sensing,
to improve farm productivity and create a system to eliminate the guesswork in crop management. Precision fertilizer techniques allow farmers to spend less time and money on soil inputs throughout the growing season.
The first step to adopting precision fertilizer techniques is soil testing. Soil quality is best determined by sampling different field sections, as overall soil composition varies within the same field. Norstar Agriculture uses advanced soil analysis testing to measure essential nutrient availability, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and calcium. Other benchmarks are also assessed, including soil pH levels and soil structure. Once collected, Norstar Agriculture will construct a personalized growth plan utilizing gold-standard OMEX fertilizer.
Agricultural Solutions in Alberta & Saskatchewan
Ready to prepare your fields for the crop-growing season? Look no further than Norstar Agriculture for assistance. Our team of travelling agronomists are here to help get your fields into shape for a bountiful harvest. Get in touch with us today to learn more about our soil analysis testing and solutions.
