04 Mar 2009

Fertilizer Best Management Practices - CIG Version





These publications are a series prepared by cooperators with the staff of the International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI). It is part of a project in cooperation with the Foundation for Agronomic Research (FAR) toward fulfilling the goals of a 3-year Conservation Innovation Grant from the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service to identify fertilizer best management practices (BMPs). The intent is to help develop the BMP definition process in such a way that environmental objectives are met without sacrificing current or future production or profit potential and in full consideration of the newer technologies relevant to fertilizer use. The concept of applying the right fertilizer at the “right rate, right time, and right place” is a guiding theme in this series.


Apply the “Four Rights” for Cotton Production in the Midsouth and Southeast


By C.S. Snyder, S.B. Phillips, and T.W. Bruulsema
    There is a lot of discussion about best management practices (BMPs) for agriculture, motivated by increasing energy costs and economic pressures. Farmer interest in BMPs is associated with the increasing awareness that how we manage our soils and landscapes can have a large impact on the surrounding environment. As stewards of the land, farmers in the Midsouth and Southeast USA implemented soil conservation practices to improve their soil and water quality. Reductions in soil erosion and increased moisture conservation have led to higher crop yields and enhanced whole-farm economics.

    81796_Cotton BMP LO.pdf
    (1.4 MB)


Fertilizer Management Practices for Potato Production in the Pacific Northwest
By Robert Mikkelsen and Bryan Hopkins
    Potatoes are grown in almost every state and province in North America. Some potatoes are grown for fresh consumption, while others are used for processing into fries, chips, or frozen products. Whatever the end use, the objective of every potato grower is to provide high quality potatoes that meet the market objectives at a price that is economically profitable and environmentally sustainable.

    BMP_Potato.pdf
    (1.8 MB)


Fertilizing for Irrigated Corn
Guide to Best Management Practices
Edited by W.M. (Mike) Stewart and W.B. (Barney) Gordon
    Irrigated corn production is an important component of agricultural systems in some parts of the central and southern Great Plains of the USA. Adequate and balanced nutrient inputs are critical to producing optimum yields that result in maximum profit. This 52-page color manual was designed and authored by industry, university, and government soil fertility experts to address fundamental irrigated corn fertility questions to this region. The content is especially timely considering the importance of fertilizer best management practices in managing the risk associated with today's market conditions.

    Irrigated_ Corn.pdf
    (4.2 MB)


    Fertilizing for Irrigated Corn - Guide to Best Management Practices
    can be ordered with this order form:

    Irrigated_Corn_Order_Form.pdf

Best Management for Fertilizers on Northeastern Dairy Farms
By Tom W. Bruulsema and Quirine Ketterings
    In the past 10 years, many dairy farms in the humid temperate zone of northeastern North America have implemented best management practices (BMPs) for manure and fertilizer to address
    concerns about nutrient buildup in soils and nutrient losses that can impact water and air quality. This Introductory Guide focuses on fertilizer BMPs: applying the right source at the right rate, at the right time, and in the right place.

    Dairy BMP.pdf
    (938 KB)


Suggested Practices for Semiarid North Dakota
By Tom Jensen, Adrian Johnston, David Franzen, and Jon Stika
    We are hearing a lot about best (beneficial) management practices (BMPs) these days. Much of this interest in BMPs for agriculture is the increasing awareness that how we manage our soils and landscapes can have a large impact on the surrounding environment. As stewards of the land, northern Great Plains farmers have implemented soil conservation practices that exceed many other resource conservation activities in North America. The resulting reduction in wind and water erosion and moisture conservation have improved soils, and increased crop yields and whole-farm economics.

    NGP BMP.pdf
    (1.6 MB)



Fertilizer Nitrogen BMPs to Limit Losses that Contribute to Global Warming
By C.S. Snyder
    The right fertilizer N management decisions in producing corn and other crops can help reduce the impact on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and global warming potential. These fertilizer best management practices (BMPs) can go a long way toward making the most of applied N, for economic benefit as well as environmental.

    Nitrogen BMP.pdf
    (3.6 MB)