Fertilizer Economics - Tools for Management

How can growers best react and handle the unexpected conditions arising from increased fertilizer prices? This page offers a variety of tools and perspectives that can help. IPNI scientific staff have collected years of data and research results which support the importance of best management practices and optimum fertilization rates, even at higher prices.

“The consequences of cutting fertilizer rates vary depending on several factors including soil test levels, cropping system, weather, and the current rate. Often, what may look like a good savings can result in more severe losses in yields and net returns this year or in the future. For most farmers who have a good production system in place, the best plan is to basically stay the course,” says Dr. Paul Fixen, IPNI Senior Vice President, North American Program Coordinator, and Director of Research.

Take a look a through the following collection of articles that address current concerns.


General Series

Impact of Nitrogen Rising Nitrogen Prices: Natural gas represents a major portion of the cost of ammonia production, and concern continues about effects on nitrogen (N) fertilizer prices. This web feature provides agronomic information relevant to N cost effects on crop fertilization decisions and management.

Kick-Off the Fall Season with Fertilization Management / Fall 2005: A series of seven new, seasonal topics from the Potash & Phosphate Institute/Potash & Phosphate Institute of Canada (PPI/PPIC) provides perspectives on soil, crop, tillage, and fertilization questions. Includes links to past year's Fall Fertilization series.

How dry and wet soils affect proper soil fertility levels:

Drought and Nutrient Management

Moisture…Too Much and Too Little: Impacts on Fertility Management

Web articles from IPNI

Fertilizer price and other considerations for the fall

Nitrogen fertilization of cotton- don't lose profit by overreacting to fertilizer price

Economics of Fertilization

What Happens if I Don’t Apply Potassium This Year?





Balanced Fertility Management: A Key to Nutrient Use Efficiency

Effect of Phosphorus on Economic Nitrogen Rate for Irrigated Corn – Update





Using Fertilizer Efficiently

Managing with High Fertilizer Prices

High-Priced Potash: Can I Cut Back?

High Fertilizer Prices: What Do I Do? (Southern & Central Great Plains)

High Fertilizer Prices: What Do I Do? (Northcentral)

High Fertility - Extremely Important with Weather Extremes

Evaluating the Profitability of Starter Fertilization for Various Nitrogen and Propane Costs: A Wisconsin Corn Grain Example

Phosphorus Pays — Don’t Seed Without It!





HOW MUCH FERTILIZER DOES IT TAKE TO RAISE SOIL TEST LEVELS?

BUILDING AND MAINTAINING ADEQUATE PHOSPHORUS AND POTASSIUM





PKalc: Are phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) nutrient additions keeping up with removal by crops? The spreadsheet PKalc v1.12 is an interactive tool that allows you to keep track of historical nutrient additions and removals for a field or field area.