| | Fertilizer prices have dropped significantly since last October. In fact, the average fertilizer price is less than half what it was in the fall of 2008, which is a pleasant surprise for Alberta farmers.
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"Producers were very concerned with fertilizer prices last year," says Dr. Ross McKenzie, agronomy research scientist with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. "In October 2008, 46-0-0 urea was priced at about $935/metric tonne and this October it is in the range of $430/metric tonne, less than half the price. The story is basically the same for phosphate fertilizer. Last year the price for 11-51-0 was about $1370/metric tonne, while this year the average price is in the range of $480/metric tonne."
These prices mean that fall fertilization is certainly an option for farmers to consider. While last year many farmers were looking for ways to cut back on fertilizer, this year producers can get back to fertilizing normally and basing their fertilizer application on crop removal and not solely on what they can afford.
"Fertilizer prices have come down because the world demand for fertilizer has dropped off slightly and there is an excellent supply available," says McKenzie. "Also, with energy costs falling, it follows naturally that fertilizer prices have dropped."
While the concept of a one-pass direct seeding system is a very positive practice that McKenzie strongly encourages, spring can be a hectic time. In some cases, farmers might want to look at their overall time-management and get the fertilizer on selected fields in the fall.
"Fall fertilizing, especially with costs being down, is something worth considering," says McKenzie. "The first factors that come to mind are which fields and how much fertilizer to put on. I always strongly encourage soil sampling to test for nutrient levels remaining in the soil in the fall after soil temperatures have dropped below 7° C, and then plan fertilization accordingly. With nitrogen application, it is especially important to test for nitrate levels, what the carry-over from summer is, what nutrients are needed based on what is in the soil and what crops are planned for next year."
When it comes to nitrogen, urea and anhydrous ammonia are the two nitrogen fertilizers that, when put on in late fall, convert to ammonium. Ammonium is positively charged and will attach to the negatively charged soil particles to remain stable in the soil until next spring. Ammonium won't leach, unlike nitrate fertilizer or soil nitrate that are prone to leaching or to denitrification where the fertilizer is lost to the air.
"Do plan on applying fertilizers such 46-0-0 urea or 82-0-0 anhydrous ammonia as late in the fall and as close to freeze-up as possible," says McKenzie. "You want to ensure the nitrogen remains in the ammonium form over winter. If nitrogen fertilizer is applied too early in the fall, the ammonium nitrogen will be converted to nitrate nitrogen by soil bacteria which could then be subject to leaching or denitrification losses under wet soil conditions. Fertilizing in late fall is key to minimizing nitrogen loss. Ideally, the nitrogen fertilizer should convert to nitrate in the spring when crops require this form of nitrogen."
Fall Fertilization - Frequently Asked Questions - www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/faq7502
Fall-applied Nitrogen: Risks and Benefits - www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex5695
Contact:
Dr. Ross McKenzie
403-381-5842 |
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