In Western Canada, canola has become the key cash crop. This makes it even more incredibly important to ensure your canola crop has an adequate amount of fertilizer. Managing the nitrogen, phosphorus and sulphur is incredibly integral to achieving the yield objectives you have set on your farm. Many times I hear farmers talk about applying the same rates of fertilizer that their dad did. Too make things worse they don’t soil test and apply the same rate of fertilizer across the whole farm.
In my opinion, fertilizer is one of the most misunderstood areas of trying to achieve the canola yield you desire. What makes things worse is that there are some great old wives tales around fertilizer that really distract farmers from success.
I asked Ross Mckenzie, Agronomy Research Scientist, Lethbridge Research Station talks about what you need to consider for fertilizer this spring before you start planting. Ross does a great job of hitting on the key points that you need to consider. What are the key considerations for nitrogen, phosphorus and sulphate? Can I get away without a soil test? Is manure better than urea? Ross also talks about comparing past results to the soil test and creating and action plan that enables success.
If you cannot see the below video of Ross McKenzie please, Click Here
