When harvest wraps up early, thoughts turn quickly to fertilizer.  Now more than ever, people are paying attention to fertilizer application and the farm groups and IFCA have committed to support best management practices that reduce nutrient losses.  Agriculture must make progress in reducing nitrogen losses by nearly 225 million pounds and phosphorus losses by 18 million pounds in the next 5-10 years and this goal is outlined in the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy.  Our goal is to reduce losses and keep nutrients for the crop to ensure profitability for Illinois farmers and protect the environment.  IFCA is issuing a press release Monday that highlights the best management practices for fall applied fertilizer.  Click here to access the press release, and please share it.  

The press release outlines these fall fertilizer BMPs:   

 

1.  Wait until soil temps reach 50 degrees at the 4 inch level and are trending downward before applying anhydrous ammonia--soil temps are posted at www.ifca.com;
2.  Use a labeled nitrification inhibitor on all fall applied anhydrous ammonia;

3.  Use the appropriate nitrogen rate and split the nitrogen rate;

4.  Do not spread dry fertilizer on frozen or snow covered soils.  

We can't stress enough the importance of following the 4Rs:  people are watching us closely and the other nutrient stakeholders expect agriculture to prove that voluntary is a better system than regulatory.  This is our chance to shine so spread the word and call IFCA if you have any concerns or need assistance.