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What is a "balanced diet" for plants?

Farmer and consultant meet in a field of strawberries
(Photo credit: Image # K9186-1 by Scott Bauer, USDA-ARS ) Recently a farmer asked me the following question: “I read an article that suggested using a ‘balanced’ fertilizer. What does that mean? Does ‘balanced’ mean the N, P, and K should be the same?” This is confusing, because different people...

Manure to Energy Byproducts are Useful Nutrient Sources

Manure is a great fertilizer for nutrient-poor soils. However, when transport costs limit utilization, alternative uses such as energy production become viable. In most cases, manure-to-energy practices produce nutrient-rich byproducts that can be used as a soil amendment. While nitrogen (N) may be...

Soil pH Affects Nutrient Availability

Soils are composed of mineral and organic matter. Weathered rocks provide soil minerals, while organic matter forms from decayed animal and plant residues. An important component of healthy soil, organic matter helps maintain and improve soil’s physical condition. Some of these benefits include...

PSI, PMT, and the Tier System: What You Need to Know

The Phosphorus Site Index (PSI) and the Phosphorus Management Tool (PMT) are tools used to determine the risk for phosphorus runoff into nearby waterways. The PSI has been used for many years on fields with a Fertility Index Value (FIV) of 150 or greater. This is used to determine the safety of...

Pre-sidedress Nitrate Testing: Crucial for Corn!

Soil nitrogen levels are very important for crop health and yields, especially when growing corn grain or corn silage. Fertilizer recommendations that are generated for a field that had a previous forage legume crop or manure application assume a significant nitrogen contribution from the previous...

Key Considerations for Your Next Nutrient Management Plan

Manure Applications in High FIV-P Fields Are you planning to apply manure or any phosphorus material to a high FIV-P field this spring? Manure or a P-containing product applied to a high FIV-P field requires some extra field work by your advisor. Work closely with your Nutrient Management Advisor...

Manure: Dollars and Cents

Have you ever wondered how much a manure application is worth for your operation? Manure and other organic products have an economic value because they provide nutrients for crops and save money on fertilizer expense. However, assigning an exact dollar value can be a bit complicated. The University...

Fall Soil Sampling

Soil samples are good for three years for Nutrient Management Plan development. Expired soil sample analyses must be replaced! Use your Nutrient Management Plan (NMP) to quickly determine fields in need of sampling. Look at the “Test Date” column on the “Soil Test Results” page of your NMP...

Soil Organic Matter

As part of soil testing, we have an option to choose to test soil level Organic Matter (OM). In general, folks know that higher OM levels are more desirable. However, in many cases, there is an extra charge. So why is it important to know the levels of organic matter in our soils? Organic Matter...

Manure as a Natural Resource: Alternative Management Opportunities (EB-420)

A new publication (EB-420) is available from University of Maryland Extension. Manure as a Natural Resource: Alternative Management Opportunities is written as an overview of some existing technologies. Many new ideas are proposed for the region, and understanding the science behind them is...

Filling out the new Notice of Intent (CAFO permit)

The General Discharge Permit for CAFO's and large MAFO's expired on November 30, 2014. Those who are currently registered under the permit have until January 30, 2015 to file a new notice of intent (NOI) with the Maryland Department of Environment. Some of the information may be difficult to find...

Developing Management Units for Nutrient Management Planning

Planning management units is one of the most important activities when developing a nutrient management plan. Many operators want to combine several fields into one management unit to reduce expenses and simplify fertilizer applications. This is an acceptable practice in some scenarios but not all...

Pre-Sidedress Soil Nitrate Testing: Crucial for Corn!

Leaves of a corn plant
When growing corn grain or corn silage, soil nitrogen levels are very important for crop health and yields. Fertilizer recommendations, generated for a field that had a previous forage legume crop or manure application, assume a significant nitrogen contribution from the previous crop or manure...

Nutrient Management Planning Tools Handbook

What is a Nutrient Management Plan? A nutrient management plan is a formal document that balances crop nutrient needs with nutrients that are applied in the form of commercial fertilizer, animal manure, or biosolids. A plan contains: soil test results manure and biosolids analyses (where applicable...
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