I hoped you enjoyed the soybean micronutrient 11-part column series over the past three months that is archived at croptechcafe.org. Join me over the next three months in my second extended column series on phosphorus management proficiency. Phosphorus management was identified as a primary area of concern by members of the new Saline, Jefferson, and Gage County Agronomy Extension Advisory Group, which is composed of seed industry professionals, crop consultants, and farmers. Learn more about this new local advisory group at your locally focused Extension website at croptechcafe.org/about.
We often hear the acronym NPK that means nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). The order is not on accident as phosphorus is second only to nitrogen in terms of fertilizer needs to grow many crops in Nebraska. Phosphorus deficiency was addressed decades ago in the soil surveys conducted by USDA-NRCS in this area. We all start at a different place of know-how or proficiency when it comes to phosphorus management. In the new series, there is room for all to learn and become more proficient in phosphorus management.
I plan to discuss soil fertility philosophy, land tenure considerations, phosphorus soil cycle, soil sampling, soil test analysis, trends in soil test levels, differences between state recommendations, crops demand differences, soil chemistry, fertilizer sources, plant early growth and yield implications, specialty products, fertilizer application methods, environmental concerns, soil health and microbes, and much more. Given the length and flexibility in this new series, I encourage you to contact me with questions and to suggest topics for me to write about in regards to phosphorus management, so email me (), leave a comment on my website, or give me a call (821-1722).
I recently bought new soil sample probes with foot pedals for each of the Extension offices in Beatrice, Fairbury, and Wilber. These soil sample probes are available to you to check out and return. We also have a supply of soil sampling bags for fertility and soybean cyst nematode analysis at each of the Extension offices. I have marked these new soil probe tubes with a v-shaped notch at 8 inches that is the recommended sampling depth for UNL fertilizer recommendations. These new soil probes are for topsoil sampling only, not for deep soil sampling for nitrate, sulfur, and chloride. I do have soil probes for deep sampling and watermark sensor installation located at the office in Wilber to borrow too.
I really look forward to bringing you a new extended column series on phosphorus management proficiency including next week’s column on soil management philosophies for phosphorus. As a reminder, you can share or read this news column online through my local website for Saline, Jefferson, and Gage counties at croptechcafe.org. Know your crop, know your tech, know your bottom line.
