In this study - Dr. Jake has found that by adding sulfur we see a yield bump in soybean yields. The sulfur source in this research trial was ATS or ammonium thiosulfate. The analysis of ATS is 12-0-0-26, of which you can see, has Nitrogen in the analysis. The N source was UAN or 32% more commonly known. There are very few straight sulfur products that are efficient and easy to handle. That is why there is not a sulfur only product in these trial sets.
Think about it – you’re hungry? You go to the fridge, cupboard or even just the table. But plants can’t just go to the food. Their roots can expand out, but like most of us they fall with gravity and go down. In 2024 we have the ability to bring the food to the plants. Just like we do for animals and people.
Figure 2. Corn Roots
Liqui-Grow wrapped up a 3 year study on fertilizer placement - here are the results. This graph shows that corn likes fertilizer to be close to the root zone. We can grow very good corn yields here in the Midwest and not be super precise with fertilizer applications. This work shows that those who take the time and put fertilizer next to the row can often benefit from their labors. After the exciting announcement of ExactStrip fertilizer we started down the road of, “How do we work tillage into this?” 248.2bu/ac is a good base line - those methods are fairly traditional and widespread in the Midwest. Spread your fertilizer and hit it with tillage. (see Figure 2 above.) Injected 6” to 7“ was our copycat to traditional strip till methods.
Should we do the Exactstrip before or after strip till? The research would support the common thinking of fertilizing after strip till is best because it is the least disrupting method to the fertilizer. Any sort of tillage is going to move the fertilizer away from the intended row. This research shows that ExactStrip after strip till is 4.8 bu/ac better than ExactStrip before the strip till machine goes through the field.
Liqui-Grow Research team will continue to test different tillage options with ExactStrip fertilizer application.
The time saving fast applications and reduced need for labor of ExactStrip often outweighs that extra bu. Increase you see from traditional strip till. If you are currently using traditional strip till methods to apply fertilizer - Liqui-Grow would like to show you how we can help ease your labor and time investments and still achieve high yield opportunities.
Text us at 564-220-2508 or email questions@liqui-grow.com.
Figure 2: Liqui-Grow Treated Soybeans
People always want the best of both worlds – and good heavy test weight with a fast die/fast drydown product is no exception to those wants! As you combine your fields this fall and evaluate your hybrid selection from 2024 we hope these tips below will help you select the best hybrids for your farm in 2025.
Margins look to be tight for the remainder of 2024 and into 2025. Farmers are resilient and know when prices are what they are - we have to control the input costs. Here are a few tips for fertilizer placement - based on science - to help you make good decisions through tight times.
Liqui-Grows strategy is to band fertilizer close to the row. P, K, Mn, Zn, Cu, and Fe are all taken up into the plant primarily by Diffusion or Root interception, which means roots need to be within about 1/4" of those nutrients. Banding close to the root zone allows plants to find the band quickly and get what it needs without "searching" the whole soil volume to find a few nutrients. Another benefit to banding is by concentrating the nutrients there is a reduced chance of physical or chemical tie up in the soil. Although fertilizer prices aren’t “crazy high”, farm economics look bearish right now and one thing you can do is to keep the fertilizer close to the row and allow your mind to be at ease knowing you aren’t wasting what you paid for.
Banding is also a way to trick the plant into thinking there is plenty of nutrients available. So even if the field soil test levels are slightly low - the plants have enough nutrients right around the root zone to grow good yields.
Banding Liqui-Grow’s suspension fertilizer is also a way to get a balanced nutrition meal to your crop. Each drop of suspension liquid fertilizer has the exact same nutrient quality. To learn more about banded nutrition check out this Liqui-Grow LEAD Video.
White Mold is one of those diseases we plan for, but we never really know if we will have it until it’s here. It has been a significant concern for farmers over the years, and rightfully so, because of how devastating it can be to the crop yield. This disease is very different from other vascular and foliar diseases, so it comes with a very different set of considerations to know about.
Let’s dig into the top questions—and answers—about understanding and managing White Mold in soybeans.
When it rains, it pours—and that’s not always a bad thing after the dry spells we’ve had over the past few years. But now that it’s drying up in places, don’t forget how much rainfall we have experienced throughout this growing season.
When soils are full of water, or as we say, at field capacity or saturated, nutrients are more readily available for plants to take up and use. This leads to higher growth rates, growing larger, healthier plants that are more capable of producing high yields.
But, too much moisture in too little time can cause some problems in your fields if you’re not careful. Now’s the time to pay extra close attention to diseases, pests and nutrients.
Picture this: you've just finished a hearty meal, but you're still hungry for more. You go back for seconds to get all the nutrients you need to feel satisfied. In many ways, side dressing nutrients for corn is like going back for seconds at the dinner table, providing a spoon feeding of a three course meal right to the crop before and during the growing season. It's about providing the crop with essential elements, ensuring it has everything it needs to thrive and reach its full potential.
Pre-plant fertilization lays the foundation for healthy growth, whereas post-plant (or in-season) nutrition plays a crucial role in supporting corn plants during critical development phases, setting the crop up for the best yield potential. Side dressing nitrogen and other nutrients is a great option to continue to spoon feed that crop into success.
Dr. Jake believes, generally, a planned side dress application is valuable. Planned applications allow you to adjust for economics and weather. For example, the early growing season often has low temperatures which slow down nitrogen mineralization and leave the corn crop vulnerable to nitrogen deficiencies. Economically nitrogen prices change throughout the year and side dressing nitrogen may or may not be a good value. Always check with your Liqui-Grow Sales Applicator to learn about up to date pricing.
For Dr. Jake, "in-season application" ideally occurs before V5, but certainly before V9. The old way of thinking was to get that nitrogen on right before V9, so it’s there and later in the season, but there is lots of research to debate this theory. Beyond V9, there's a risk of stunting plant growth & yield, especially with a nutrient split of 75% before or at planting and 25% after - or any ratio that is less than 75% at or before planting. Typically, Midwest soils can adequately support nutrient uptake from V9 up to VT, depending on adequate soil moisture levels. By V9 through VT, the crop is at its peak nitrogen absorption rate per day, meaning delaying application until after V9 puts the crop at a disadvantage in terms of nutrition. Even though farmers have been across the fields “a lot” in a short amount of time, delaying the side dress pass can ultimately hurt yield, keep your equipment “warmed up” and ready to go again!
If you have questions about what this means, contact a Liqui-Grow Sales Applicator, or check out this video: Is Side-Dressing Nitrogen Worth It This Year?
Do you know how the weather will shake out this spring? We don’t either, but numerous research studies have shown average U.S. corn yields increase with the addition of a starter fertilizer. Here in the Midwest we are very used to seeing all four seasons in one week, sometimes in one day– as an insurance policy against all of the elements, starter fertilizer is a great addition to your spring plan. So what does starter fertilizer provide?
In this blog, we’ll learn about the importance of starter fertilizers by understanding starter basics, when to use starter fertilizer, and what to consider while using starters.
After germination, corn kernels develop two root systems. The first set of roots developed are seminal roots, followed by nodal roots crucial for nutrient uptake. If nodal roots face stress, it can hinder nutrient absorption and overall plant growth. And when a plant’s health falls behind by two or more growth stages, it becomes very difficult for that plant to catch up, therefore hurting overall yields.
According to Iowa State University, about 60% of crop ground is rented land. While we know it’s possible to build soil fertility over time, short term leases can pose a risk for renting low-fertility fields, as tenants might not take as good of care of the farm as long term leases. This is another instance where starter fertilizer can bridge that gap, providing necessary nutrients for a relatively low cost with a more immediate return on investment. A great way to be aware of your soil fertility is through soil sampling– check out our last blog to learn more on soil sampling!
Dr. Jake said it best: “Soil sampling is about tracking where you’re going,” regardless of when or how you sample. Soil sampling procedures look different from farm to farm, and even field to field. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you consider spring sampling:
