As harvest 2023 winds down and we shift into 2024 preparation mode, it’s the perfect time to evaluate what worked, recognize what could be improved and plan for next year.

If your autumn routine included a soil test, that’s great news, as it’s considered a soil management best practice! If not, try to get a collection to be analyzed, if you can. That way, you can see what nutrients were removed this season.

Once you have results, take the laboratory-generated fertilizer recommendations as a starting point. Then consider site- and grower-specific information to create an individualized plan that addresses your soil needs.

The goal is to maximize your return on investment by determining what has the most potential to boost future yield.

How to identify fertilizer needs

Soil test calibration relevancy

How appropriate is the calibration used in the standard recommendation for the attributes specific to your field?

Yield potential

Consider the economic value of each percentage change in relative yield that may influence the shape of the calibration curve.

Fertilizer placement

Build soil test levels to optimum regardless of the placement method used.

Nutrient distribution

Ensure your crops are getting the nutrients they need, applied evenly and in a way that will provide the most uptake at the right time.

Land tenure

Determine how long you will farm the field, which can influence fertilizer amount and type to support healthy yields and environmental practices.

Boost performance with research-backed solutions

With your lab results and specific soil needs identified, you’re ready to create an actionable plan. Basic fertilizer recommendations are to:

• Base implementation plan on soil test results
• Boost soils that are testing lower for nutrients by adding extra fertilizer
• Apply maintenance amounts of plant nutrients to higher-testing soils
• Not apply to soil any nutrients that already test very high

Crops that need a boron boost should look for a single granule with potassium and two forms of Boron: quick-release, and gradual-release.

Aspire^® delivers uniform nutrient distribution at the root level all season long while avoiding fertilizer hot spots that can occur with commodity blends. The only soil-applied product of its kind, Aspire’s proprietary formula is focused on one thing: making boron delivery more efficient and effective for growers.

Continue soil health momentum throughout the year

With a plan in place for next growing season, crop nutrition isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it situation. It’s a living document that you review annually to maximize return on fertilizer investments.

Keep your data current with yearly evaluation of soil health for every acre of every field. To boost understanding, throughout the season you can conduct tissue testing to monitor the nutrient status of your crops.

Work alongside agronomic experts and your retailer to refine and review your plan. A great place to start is with Mosaic representatives, who are available to help through live consultations. Count on Aspire to deliver your crops the nutrients they need, all season long.