Nutrient Management

Fertilizer prices have tripled and quadrupled in the past three years. Nutrients in sufficient amounts are critical to high yields. Crop rotations can supply N from legumes. Manure is increasingly valuable as a fertilizer source. Practical management of these alternative sources is a major focus of Cooperative Extension to maximize profitability from our crops.

Building Soils for Better Crops: this 200+ page handbook published by the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program explains sustainable soil management.

Liming Materials: This 2 page Cooperative Extension resource explains how to measure liming quality and lists different liming materials. 

Lime Recommendations: This fact sheet recommends good liming materials for field crops and their effects.

Manure for Alfalfa: This Cooperative Extension Agronomy Fact Sheet explains how to apply manure to established alfalfa.

Manure Spreader Calibration: This Cooperative Extension 2 page Agronomy Fact Sheet describes how to calibrate one's manure spreader for effective manure spreading.

Nitrogen Fixation: This Cooperative Extension 2 page resource explains the basic principles of nitrogen fixation and how to enhance it.

Nitrogen Needs for First Year Corn: This Cooperative Extension 2 page Agronomy Fact Sheet explains how to fulfill all of your corn 1st year nitrogen needs.

Organic Matter:  This 2 page Cooperative Extension Agronomy Fact Sheet explains what soil organic mater is and its benefits.

Soil Acidity and Aglime: This 8 page Penn State fact sheet discusses soil acidity, aglime and their respective benefits and side effects.

Soil Management Groups: This 2 page Cooperative Extension Agronomy Fact Sheet explains the differences between soil groups and how to manage them.

Soil pH: This 2 page Cooperative Extension Agronomy Fact Sheet explains the effects of soil pH on different types of field crops.

Soil Sampling:  This 2 page Cooperative Extension Agronomy Fact Sheet details how to take soil samples and send them to a laboratory.

Some Facts About Soil Basics: This 2 page resource provides a brief and simplified introduction to the origins of soils and how they influence capabilities and uses of soils.

Starter P for Corn: This 2 page Cooperative Extension Agronomy Fact Sheet explains the importance of and how to use starter phosphorus fertilizer for corn crops. 

Timing of Lime Application: This 2 page Cooperative Extension Agronomy Fact Sheet explains how to properly time your use and application of lime.

Understanding Fertilizer Labels This 2 page Cooperative Extension fact sheet explains the different grades and ratios of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium.

Websoil Survey: This 2 page Cooperative Extension Agronomy Fact Sheet explains how websoil surveys are made and their benefits.

Last updated November 24, 2014