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“With harvest progressing at a rapid pace, now is the time to
farmers and fertilizer dealers to develop their soil fertility plans
for 2016, but it’s not the right time to apply ammonia yet”
according to Dan Schaefer, Director of Nutrient Stewardship for the
Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association.
IFCA’s “Keep it 4R Crop” program (Right source, Right rate, Right
time, Right place) is about applying nutrients to minimize
environmental impact, optimize yield and maximize utilization—keys
to protecting water quality and assuring economic return on
fertilizer purchases.
IFCA’s 4R program outlines specific nutrient stewardship guidelines
to reduce nutrient losses. On-farm research in Illinois, overseen
and analyzed by the University of Illinois, provides the basis for
these principles.
“The message to farmers and the agribusiness industry is clear: If
we can all adhere to these practices, we can demonstrate to everyone
that voluntary efforts do work” says Schaefer.
Farmers and fertilizer dealers should focus on these four key steps
for Fall:
DO NOT APPLY
ANHYDROUS AMMONIA IN THE FALL UNTIL THE MAXIMUM DAILY SOIL
TEMPERATURE AT THE 4 INCH LEVEL FALLS TO 50 DEGREES AND IS TRENDING
DOWNWARD.
Don’t go by the calendar, go to www.ifca.com for a link to daily
soil temperatures around the state and monitor the soil temperatures
in your fields. “We’ve made great strides in fall ammonia
stewardship—let’s not backslide now just because harvest is early”
said Schaefer.
USE A LABELED
NITRIFICATION INHIBITOR ON ALL FALL APPLIED AMMONIA.
Studies funded by the Illinois Nutrient Research &
Education Council (NREC) continue to demonstrate that
nitrification inhibitors slow the conversion of nitrogen to a
leachable form; it is particularly important to reduce nitrogen
leaching in tile drained fields.
SPLIT YOUR
NITROGEN APPLICATIONS AND USE THE APPROPRIATE RATE.
The most economically beneficial and environmentally
responsible rates for nitrogen can be accessed at
http://extension.agron.iastate.
edu/soilfertility/nrate.aspx. This program is fed by
on-farm research led by Midwest land grant universities; at the
University of Illinois it’s supported by NREC to improve
nitrogen rate recommendations. Use the right rate and don’t
apply your nitrogen all at once; for example, split the total
rate with a stabilized fall application, followed in the spring
by a pre-plant and side-dress application.
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DO NOT SPREAD DRY FERTILIZER ON
FROZEN OR SNOW COVERED SOIL.
Fall or spring is the right time to apply dry fertilizer. “Many states have
banned winter spreading and the lawn care industry is not allowed to winter
spread fertilizer” said Schaefer. He adds: “If we can show our commitment to
park our dry spreaders when the ground is frozen or snow covered, we’ve
demonstrated our commitment and ability to do the right thing without
regulation.”
“The Keep it 4R Crop program will make great strides in reducing nutrient losses
if we apply these principles on every acre” added Payne. “We believe farmers
understand what is at stake, and are confident we can accomplish the goals in
the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy, but it will take everyone’s
cooperation—talk to your fertilizer dealer, talk to your fellow farmers and
let’s prove that we have the will and ability to reduce nutrient losses without
regulation and without litigation—this is our chance and the stakes could not be
higher.”
IFCA also stresses the importance of proper training and attention to safety
during the fertilizer season, especially when it comes to anhydrous ammonia.
“The public that shares the road with ammonia nurse tanks entrusts us to
transport this product safely and to apply it properly” said Jean Payne,
President of the IFCA.
IFCA, in partnership with the Illinois Department of Agriculture offers a free
web-based training program for farmers to improve their knowledge of ammonia
safety. Go to http://learning.ifca.com to access the training program, available
free of charge with funding from NREC.
More information about nutrient stewardship programs can be found at
www.ifca.com, www.Keepit4RCrop.org,
www.illinoisnrec.org and
www.illinoiscbmp.org.
[Eric Robinsom/Jean Payne/Dan
Schaefer, Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association] |
