HARDIN COUNTY – Ohio State is looking for farmer cooperators and crop
consultants to help conduct on-farm field trials this year. Updating
fertilizer recommendations is a major undertaking that will require a
collective effort from numerous OSU extension personnel, crop
consultants and farmer cooperators. We will be looking specifically at
nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and sulfur (S) in corn,
soybeans, and wheat. We hope to collect data from a large number of
farms across the state and determine economically-optimum fertilization
rates to maximize farmer profitability. These trials should be
considered an opportunity to learn more about your farm’s fertility
needs, but also contribute to a state-wide effort for better nutrient
management and water quality outcomes.
We can work either directly
with farmers, or contract crop consultants and agronomists to conduct
the trials and collect data on farmers’ fields. Farmers can choose which
nutrient they would like to work with and will have a large degree of
flexibility in the plot layout and applied rates. We have funds to
compensate both farmers and crop consultants for their time and effort.
Phosphorus,
potassium, sulfur trials will involve either applying fertilizer or no
fertilizer to replicated strip plots. The farmer can decide the rate and
source of fertilizer. We are especially interested in fields that test
low in P and K. The data to be collected will include a soil sample
before planting, leaf nutrient analysis at early reproductive stage
(R1), grain yields and nutrient analysis of grain at harvest, and a
short questionnaire about soil management.
Nitrogen rate trials
include a full N rate that will be applied in replicated strips (0, 100,
150, 200, 250 lbs N/acre). A zero N treatment is highly desired, but
optional. Growers that include a fully replicated zero N treatment will
be compensated extra to account for yield loss. The data to be collected
in these trails will include soil samples before planting, leaf
nutrient analysis at early reproductive stage (R1), corn stalk nitrate
sample (optional), grain yields and nutrient analysis of grain at
harvest, and a short questionnaire about soil management.
Hardin
County OSU Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Educator Mark
Badertscher will work with you to conduct these on-farm research plots,
so contact him at 419-674-2297 if you are interested in setting up a
plot on your farm. This past year, we had two ‘Corn Response to
Nitrogen’ plots in the county with one near Alger and the other near
Dola.
Article written by Steve Culman, OSU Assistant Professor
and State Specialist in Soil Fertility, and revised by Mark
Badertscher, OSU Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension
Educator-Hardin County.