Fertilizers

As it gets close to that time when I will fertilize the fields, I wonder if y'all are also considering your fertilizer options. I would be interested to know if costs are the same, less, or more in your area than last year. Also, what blends are you considering? I have 400 acres of grass. It is a fescue/orchard grass mix. I usually start fertilizing the first of March with a 3-1-3 formula. Last year was quite high, but I am told that it will be cheaper this year. I am just curious what the market is shaping up as this year in different areas of the country. Also, when do you start applying fertilizer in your area. I look forward to your input. Thanks, Bob

I bought 2008 fertilizer in the end of 2007 - they told me it was high, but I paid in full 'cause I felt it was going up....

That is some of the cheapest fertilizer I ever bought, looking back. Wow did it go up.

Now in the end of 2008 and early 2009, it sure is expensive. Many people have put off buying it, and while prices are dropping a bit, we may run into supply problems. Come spring, folks will want it anyhow, but it might not be there.... I did not buy much at all either - yet. Not sure what will happen. My corn will want a lot of N & I have none booked; I took care of 2/3 of my P&K, but still have the starter to buy.

A difficult situation.

I would suggest, this year is a _great_ oppertunity to take some soil samples & find out what you have, so you only have to add what is needed, instead of guessing & utting on stuff you never needed. There is no such formula as 3-1-3 that always works all the time - your soils might have enough of the P or K, but is crying for some of the other. Or you are low in ph and your N-P-K really isn't helping.....

Soil tests are sometimes only a little more accurate than guessing, but it is something to start out with at least. Gives you a direction of where to head, and in a terribly expensive fert year like this one, could save you a lot of money.

--->Paul

At retail, last week urea was 400 a ton, ammonium nitrate 375. DAP 450. Potash is at 850 and dropping 50 a month. My dealer says probably do that until August.

I bought all my nitrogen. Dealer told me told hold off on potash (I dont need phosphate) and put it on after first cutting. They let you prebuy and lock in your price, plus a 2 percent discount, and if the price drops you still get the lower price.

It is getting cheaper out here also,possibly because there is no more room in their pockets.

I have already put out urea on ryegrass, 100 lbs. per acre x 240 acres -- 20 bucks an acre -- cheap with calving starting and grass will last till june. I will put minimum triple 17 on hayfields starting in April. Think about it, most cowmen buy alot of feed and protein supplements for their cows, oftentimes year round, with fertilizer you can grow better feed, cheaper. Fertilizer is cheap if you are the end user. Although I would not want to be in the hay business trying to justify the cost to the customer at this time.

At my place the only "Formula" you'd be appling to your fields on the first of March would be something like this.....

Hayman,

I know your up the road from me a ways but can you still get Ammonium Nitrate in bulk around you?

No dealers around here will sell it in bulk anymore. Some will get you in a few tons on pallets if you bug'm enough but no one here wants to do the paper work. Thanks.

Dave

I agree Paul. I took soil samples last spring and will be having nutrient testing done on my manure and let the soil service guy make a recommendation. He's pretty straight up. i should have enough cow and chicken manure to cover all the corn ground and also a light covering on the bean ground. I sure am hoping the cow manure will improve the soil over a few years. This sandy ground hasnt had cow poop in decades. Lots of breeder poop, but no good cow crap!

I bought 30% liq. N in the fall of 2007 for $350/ton. I just booked all of it for this year for the same price. (central NY state)