subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Wed, Aug 20 2008 

Published: July 05, 2008 10:55 pm    print this story   email this story     

Soil testing has value for farmers

By Roger Don Gribble, commentary

Growing wheat profitably involves many things, not the least of which is managing fertilizer inputs to the greatest return on your investment.

This one aspect of wheat production requires several considerations and usually involves both short-term and long-term assessments. Short cutting fertilizer inputs one year may improve that year’s profit/loss margin, but it may require increased fertilizer and results in reduced profits the next year, even if yields were normal. It is important to have both an economically and environmentally sound rationale for your fertilizer practices.

Sometimes the type and rates of fertilizer used are a result of doing it the way it has always been done. In this case, producers see that a traditional program has resulted in satisfactory yields and there is no need to change that practice. The fallacy in this approach is it fails to systematically account for unused nitrogen following years of below-normal yields and a buildup of phosphorus over time.

In a more scientific approach, producers sometimes fertilize to restore what they expect the crop removed during grazing and harvest of grain the year before. Producers feel they are sustaining soil fertility at current levels.

Using a soil test that has been calibrated for this part of Oklahoma avoids the pitfalls of trying to add what was removed or of fertilizing according to some standard practice.

A couple of years ago, a national magazine published an article on soil testing that showed a large variation in fertilizer recommendations among labs across the United States that tested the same soil for Pennsylvania. Because the soil test values and the fertilizer recommendations were so different among the 50 labs involved, the article concluded soil testing was of questionable value.

If you took a single tractor to 50 farmers and had them check the oil in that tractor using a dip stick from one of their own tractors, what would you expect? Farmers who owned the same tractor would get a very accurate reading, while those with different tractors would get a wide range of readings. This article called attention to the importance of using a local lab that will have procedures and calibrations that apply to your soils, crops and growing conditions.

Today’s wheat producer is finding soil testing can be a valuable tool of technology for improving profitability. As we prepare for soil fertility needs for the 2009 harvest wheat crop, applying too much or too little fertilizer will be costly. As 18-46-0 approaches the $1,100 per ton range, there would be little need in over-applying phosphorus. The only way of knowing what the correct phosphorus fertility needs of our wheat soils would be the use of soil testing.

Your Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service ag educator can help you with obtaining a good soil test and directions to labs in our area that can supply recommendations for your wheat crop. They also can assist in analyzing your recommendations for a sound fertilizer program for your wheat crop.



Gribble is Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service northwest area agronomist.

print this story   email this story     
Click here to load this Caspio Bridge DataPage.
Click here to load this Caspio Bridge DataPage.


Photos


Roger Don Gribble None/ (Click for larger image)

monster
wheels
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Premium Jobs

Store Manager
Jack’s General Store is now accepting applications for Store Manager for day shift. Prior experience in retail, customer...>MORE

BIG TIME BENEFITS @ ROBERTS RANCH
**********Starting at $8.60 per hour*****************

Roberts Ranch of Oklahoma , LLC if looking for people w
...>MORE

Welder’s Wanted
Apply at Kremlin Welding & Fabrication
or call 874-2522
...>MORE

Immediate Positions Available.
• Flexible Hours
• Benefits Available

Apply today at www.dillards.com

Oakwood Mall
E
...>MORE

Management Position Available
Enid Arby’s Now Accepting Applications
Benefits Include:

• Competitive Pay
• Comprehensive Healt
...>MORE

Commercial Sales Position
Ace Hardware
Commercial Sales Position. Experience required. Apply at Express Personnel, 2223 W. Willow, Enid.
...>MORE

Paul Transportation, Inc
Paul Transportation, Inc is a locally owned and operated flatbed transportation company that operates nationwide. If you...>MORE

Jack’s General Store - Waukomis
Is looking for sales associates. Must be available evenings. & weekends. Apply within...>MORE

SAFETY INSTRUCTOR
AUTRY TECHNOLOGY CENTER

Education/Experience: Bachelor's degree, Safety related discipline preferred. Minimum
...>MORE

Plant Operator
Niska Gas Storage requires a Plant Operator at our Salt Plains Site located approximately 110 miles North of Oklahoma Ci...>MORE

See all ads

More Premium Jobs!

The Commons
is accepting applications for full time
Assistant Activities Aide
Dietary positions.
Apply at 301 S. O
...>MORE

JOIN THE LEADING TEAM!
If working in a fun, friendly environment with
internal promotions and personal recognition
appeals to you,
...>MORE

New CNA/CMA - The Commons
Scheduling Opportunities Available in a Family
Friendly Facility to Fit Your Busy Life Style!

Apply in p
...>MORE

Marsau Enterprises Positions
CDL Drivers • Shop Welders • Equipment Operators
Apply at 1209 N. 30th, Enid OK 73701
...>MORE

Local Driving Opportunities
Cryogenic Transportation Based out of Enid OK
* Home Daily * Great Pay & Benefits
We Realize Drivers are a Val
...>MORE

See all ads


bottombanner

 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2008. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index