Soil Testing Still the Cornerstone for Fertilization Programs

According to Larry Oldham, Extension soils specialist at Mississippi State University, the combination of genetics, water and pest management and other factors have resulted in unprecedented agronomic crop yields over the past 29 years.

But, as he points out in a recent blog “Everything Old is New Again – Fertilizer Costs,” the right fertilization program – even in productive soils – still needs to begin with soil testing for total crop uptake, especially in times of lower commodity prices and stable-to-higher input costs. Basing fertilizer application rates on the crop removal concept will simply produce the most expensive program.