Agricultural News
Soil & Crop Nutritionist Brian Arnall Helps Farmers Squeeze Profit Margins by Protecting Soil Nutrients
Wed, 22 Nov 2017 12:30:51 CST
Brian Arnall, associate professor of soil and food crop nutrition at Oklahoma State University, recently presented at the Oklahoma Ag Expo on the importance of protecting the amount of nutrients in soil profiles, to farmers' bottom lines. He touched on some of the main topics from his presentation, in speaking with Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Farm Director Ron Hays. You can hear their complete conversation from that day, by clicking or tapping the LISTEN BAR at the bottom of the page.
"When it comes to monitoring or reducing nutrient losses, as far as the producer goes, it's two-fold," Arnall said. "One, you're investing in that nutrient. So, there's already that input cost that you have. But, you also have the cost of application."
Another point he makes, is that applied nutrients can sometimes get lost in the environment, and goes wasted having not been utilized by the crop. Not only are you losing out on what you've paid into it, he says, but you are also losing out on potential profits in the long run. In addition, Arnall emphasized the importance of proper environmental stewardship as well.
"Nutrient management and making sure that we as an agricultural sector do our best to keep the nutrients we apply where we apply them, is really important to the sustainability of our system," he remarked, and suggested ways in which we can improve. "What you have to look at, is a multifaceted approach."
Arnall explained one technique relied on in the industry, referred to as the "Four R's." He says farmers must consider the "right place, the right time, the right rate and the right source" for their Nitrogen and Phosphorous inputs. He says that new technologies and advancements in precision agriculture available today, are key to being the most efficient that you can.
"Not only does it take the technology of determining what the right rate is," Arnall explained, "but it also takes the technology of equipment to apply it in a manner efficiently enough and in the right way, so it can be used to the best of its ability."
For more of Arnall's suggestions on how to conserve and protect the nutrients in your soil, click or tap the LISTEN BAR below.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI
Top Agricultural News
More Headlines...
