Jeanne Bernick, Farm Journal Crops & Issues Editor
Precision agriculture specialist Dave Nerpel of farm supply company Wilber Ellis Company is trying to move more clients from flat rate fertilizer applications to variable rate technology to improve yields.
He’s been waiting a long time for a fertilizer product like Mosaic’s MicroEssentials to come along to make the transition easier.
“In variable rate applications, we would typically put on four or five different products,” says Nerpel. “We like using MicroEssentials because its one granule formulation helps cut back our application needs. It’s something that has been lacking in the market for awhile.”
MicroEssentials is a phosphorus-based fertilizer which incorporates the correct ratios of critical nutrients (P, N, S and Zn) into one uniform granule. The one granule formulation ensures all nutrients are distributed uniformly and consistently so every plant has a better shot at getting the essential nutrients it needs to produce the best results.
The MicroEssentials family of products includes three formulations, each appropriate for specific crop needs, says Mosaic marketing manager Kevin Poppel. It is a versatile product that works well as a starter, a direct application fertilizer or bulk blend ingredient, Poppel says.
“As we move forward with new equipment technology, MicroEssentials is well suited for variable rate applications,” Poppel says.
MicroEssentials has been shown to improve phosphorus (P) uptake, Poppel adds. Key nutrient interaction between P and zinc helps plants take up more of the nutrients applied, and P uptake increases have been shown from 10% to 30%. The pH of the MicroEssentials granule also balances the soil pH around the granule to enhance P availability.
“We’ve been using MicroEssentials a lot to build up low phosphorous levels,”adds Glen Franzluebbers, technical director for Central Valley Ag in Northeast Nebraska. “Our customers like the fertilizer product because it makes agronomic sense.”
For more information visit www.microessentials.com or contact your local Mosaic fertilizer dealer.
You can email Jeanne Bernick at jbernick@farmjournal.com.
