Items: Nutrient Recommendations
Liquid or dry fertilizer products and their placement: What matters and why
By Edwin Ritchey and John Grove
Published on Oct. 15, 2025
This newsletter starts by addressing the age-old question about different fertilizer forms and sources. We also discuss the various placement options. Many claim that a liquid fertilizer is more efficient and more available for plant use than a dry source.
Corn N biologicals and fertilizer additives: Worth it this year?
By John Grove and Edwin Ritchey
Published on Oct. 15, 2025
Corn nitrogen (N) management expense is rising as prices for N fertilizers increase. The corn N marketplace contains several biologicals that promise to replace a portion of corn’s total fertilizer N need.
Determining the nutrient value of different nutrient packages
By Edwin Ritchey and John Grove
Published on Oct. 14, 2025
Plant nutrients, i.e. fertilizers, come in different forms (dry/liquid) and many different analyses.
Value of biologicals, biostimulants and soil/fertilizer nutrient enhancement products
By John Grove and Edwin Ritchey
Published on Oct. 14, 2025
At present, the upcoming crop production season looks to be difficult, financially. The intent of this article is to bring producers up to date about what we know about the “other stuff” – purchased inputs other than seed, pesticides, lime and fertilizers.
Wheat pays it forward in your grain rotation
By John Grove and Edwin Ritchey
Published on Oct. 13, 2025
We have been hearing that some wheat producers are thinking about reducing the acres of wheat in their rotations, changing from a corn, wheat/double-crop soybean rotation to a corn, full-season soybean rotation.
Soil fertility for fall-planted winter grains and cover crops: 2025's special considerations
By John Grove and Edwin Ritchey
Published on Sep. 16, 2025
At present, what many parts of Kentucky need most is moisture. Some drills are able to place seed appropriately under these dry conditions, but some will not provide a consistent planting depth. Inconsistent seed depth can lead to uneven seed germination and seedling growth as dry weather continues.
Boron Deficiency – Associated with Tassel Wrapping in Corn?
By John Grove
Published on Aug. 15, 2025
My friend and former UK colleague, Dr. Greg Schwab, recently posted an interesting item on LinkedIn. He writes that corn tassel wrap, and associated poor pollination, could be due to boron (B) deficiency. I think he might be right.
Nutrient rate recommendations have changed to help producers achieve yields that maximize economic return
Published on Aug. 15, 2025
University of Kentucky extension publication AGR-1, Lime and Nutrient Recommendations, has been updated for the 2025-2026 crops seasons.
After a Big Rain: N Loss, Erosion, and Other Things
By John Grove, Chris Teutsch, Edwin Ritchey, Brad Lee, and Glynn Beck
Published on Apr. 11, 2025
As we write this article, it is still raining – towards an unknown but large amount of rainfall (Fig.1).