Dr. Josh Copes

Loan Officer (Cross Keys Bank), farmer (Copes Farms LLC), independent crop consultant (Delta Consulting and Management)|

2023 Abstract - FERTILIZER RECOMMENDATIONS AND MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES IN LIGHT OF HIGH INPUT COSTS: Considering recent fertilizer costs, soybean fields testing very low and low should at least be fertilized with K to protect against significant yield loss. Also, fertilization of soybean fields testing medium for P (21-30 ppm) and K (100-130 ppm) may be skipped for a year. Applying P and K in fall in fine-textured soils may not be a problem; however, for coarse-textured soils, it is better to apply both fertilizers just before planting. Both dry and liquid fertilizers are equally effective in increasing soybean yield in very low and low testing soils, but a half-rate of liquid cannot supply the full needs of the crop. Our current soil-test-based S fertilizer recommendations need to be reevaluated.