Ken Ferrie
Agronomist Ken Ferrie provides agronomic insights, crop management tips, and practical advice for farmers to improve crop yields.
Choosing hybrids for their ability to overcome the stresses in individual fields is several steps removed from simply looking at neighborhood plots and talking to neighbors, says Farm Journal Field Agronomist Ken Ferrie.
When you go on a 2,700-mile personal crop tour through parts of eight states, you see a lot of corn and soybeans and get a sense of where there will be stellar yields as well as below-average results this harvest.
The growing season has been far from perfect, but a northeast pocket in the Corn Belt just might be the garden spot for corn thanks to strong stands and a steady stream of rain in July.
Potassium’s behavior in the soil sets it apart from other nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. That means you must manage it differently.
“Should I use a nitrogen stabilizer?” Simple question, but the answer is complex.
When you grow corn, the first nutrient you think about is nitrogen (N). But phosphorus (P) is equally important. The right timing and placement can boost yield in years of late planting.
Soils will work harder for you if you know what makes them tick
Supplying your corn crop’s critical early season nitrogen needs can make or break your yield.
Sulfur is essential to high corn yields.
Dialing in the correct rate of potassium (K) fertilizer based on testing method, leads to a healthy soil–crop–farmer relationship.