With many growers seeing strong yields in 2023, the pressure to perform in 2024 is top of mind. Fields with declining soil test levels may no longer be able to sustain the most profitable yield levels.
Over the past few decades, as yields have generally increased, ensuring proper soil nutrition has become more necessary. The question is: Are you keeping up with and replenishing the nutrients that are being lost from your soil?
Proper crop and soil management techniques play a role in producing healthier, higher-yielding crops. Give crops the start they need to grow strong: A powerful fertilizer application this spring.
Follow the 4Rs to get it right
Consider the 4Rs of Nutrient Stewardship your roadmap for fertilizer efficiency this spring:
- Right source: Choose a crop-specific fertilizer
- Right rate: Provide the amount of nutrients your soil needs
- Right time: Align nutrient availability with growth needs
- Right place: Ensure nutrients are where crops can use them
With up to 60% of yield dependent on crop nutrition, invest smartly with the right foundation of fertilizer; give your soil the nutrients from the beginning of the season on. Once visual signs of nutrient deficiency are recognized in a field, yield potential has already been decreased.
It’s not just the macronutrients – N, P and K – or even secondary nutrients – Mg, S and Ca – that your soil needs to thrive. Don’t forget the small-yet-critical micronutrients.
Managing micronutrients: The balance of boron
Micronutrients have a narrow range between deficiency and toxicity, so consulting the 4Rs framework is a smart bet to providing plants with what they need.
Boron, the second-most deficient micronutrient after zinc, provides plants power for:
- Seed set
- Cell wall formation
- Contributions to nutrient uptake
The micronutrient’s availability is impacted by soil texture, soil organic matter content and rainfall/irrigation.
To keep up with 2023 yield levels – and replace nutrients that were lost during removal – you simply can’t assume the proper amount of boron is present this spring in your soil. As if that weren’t enough, remember: The margin of boron deficiency to toxicity is small. Using the 4Rs as a guide, look for a product that offers:
- All your boron needs in a single granule
- Uniform nutrient distribution
- Root-level application
- Season-long nutrition
- Flexible application
Your complete fertilizer solution
Aspire® fertilizer is a single granule with potassium and two forms of boron – quick-release sodium borate and gradual-release calcium borate – which means your crops are getting uniform nutrient distribution all season long right at the root level.
The proof is in the field: A trial field study conducted over two years found that soybeans increased 1.6 bu/ac when using Aspire over MOP, demonstrating the advantages of uniform nutrient distribution with a premium potash fertilizer containing boron.
Why risk not repeating the successful harvest of 2023? Start now with the right foundation for a season of opportunity and success. Count on Aspire to give your crops the nutrition they need all season long.
