ALPINE® Liquid Fertilizer

Balancing Nutrient Efficiency

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 13:03:27 GMT

Blog # 21, Balancing Nutrient Efficiency

It has been a while since I have written a blog. With busy travel to farm shows in early 2026, many of the conversations I’ve had across agriculture have centered on cost control. Nearly every presentation leads to the same question: how do we increase nutrient efficiency while still maintaining a balanced crop plan?

As we know, every season brings different pressures, whether it be cost spikes, softening markets, or unforgiving weather patterns, that force us to rethink our operations. The paradox is that many fixed costs are not easily reduced, so attention often shifts to crop inputs, where we tend to overlook how this disrupts the efficiency-to-cost balance. Within each input category, the question becomes how much fertilizer we can reduce and whether our soils can make up the difference in the short term. This defensive mode is natural, but it often leads to emotional decisions rather than strategic ones.

When this happens, lower-ticket items are often cut first, with fertilizer usually at the forefront. Lower rate micronutrients such as boron, manganese, and zinc, along with sulfur, calcium and magnesium support, and biological enhancement products may be removed. Even though these inputs often improve NPK efficiency, decisions tend to focus on short-term savings versus longer-term effects. The indirect benefits of these inputs can show up later in the season through improved nutrient conversion, uptake, and transportation, especially when weather and soil conditions do not cooperate.

Knowing that soils are not a static inventory but a living, dynamic system, we need to make sure we support and feed our soils so they can, in turn, feed our crops. As ALPINE continues to develop products that support both plant and soil health throughout the season, we recognize the importance of supplying fertility that is readily available and efficient. Our team also has in-depth data showing that these efficiencies help stimulate plants to utilize the entire cropping plan more effectively.

The ALPINE “Maximizing Fertilizer Efficiency” concept is driven by the reality that cropping systems are changing faster than the fertilizer mindset. High-density cropping, high-yielding genetics, tighter rotations, increased residue, and cleaner fuels that reduce sulfur deposition all require us to revisit older assumptions. As budgets tighten, the consideration of “Hidden Hunger” is often sacrificed, even though it tends to surface as the season progresses and carries through to harvest.

When considering the “ Hidden Benefits ”, it is important to look at the fertility we apply and weigh it against the fertility we make available. Since we are looking at a “ Balanced Nutrient Efficiency ”, we will need to better understand what our crops are utilizing: nitrates that require boron and molybdenum to assimilate into plant-usable amino acids, healthier enzyme systems enhanced by potassium, zinc and manganese, and increased exudation and chelation from humic, fulvic and organic acids. This physiology is a large requirement of plants but is not going to be visible the first time we drive by or walk into the field. It again is the long-term game of a complete program that requires a maintained strategy, year over year.

As we head into Spring 2026 and manage our fertility requirements, it remains important to understand historic soil and tissue data. Historic yield performance and soil health observations should also be considered as part of long-term success. By managing the information we already have, we can spend more intentionally, control waste, and avoid cutting the multiplier products that help drive overall efficiency.

Through the ALPINE “ Maximizing Fertilizer Efficiency ” program, we offer one of the most efficient forms of orthophosphate, amplified by ALPINE Bio-K, potassium acetate, and supported by a complete line of chelated micronutrients developed with efficiency in mind. Reach out to your ALPINE DSM or ALPINE dealer and utilize their expertise as we manage the 2026 season together.

Wishing everyone a safe and prosperous Spring of 2026.

Influential Factors Between Potassium & Sulfur

Tue, 13 May 2025 15:26:12 GMT

What importance does potassium and sulfur have on the plant?

Both potassium and sulfur are essential macronutrients for plant growth, and are required in relatively large quantities. Having crucial and interconnected roles in plant health, they impact everything from protein synthesis and enzyme function to water regulation and overall growth. Potassium is vital for water transport, nutrient movement, and enzyme activation, while sulfur is a key component of proteins and is involved in chlorophyll formation and various metabolic processes. As a nutrient facilitator, potassium can enhance plants' uptake and sulfur utilization efficiency, while sulfur availability can influence potassium's effectiveness within your crops.

Sulfur and potassium work synergistically to enhance nutrient uptake and are utilized by the crops in many ways:

Maximizing Potassium Efficiency

Role of Potassium in the Plant

1. Formation and translocation of starches, sugars, and fats

2. Protein formation

3. Aids in enzyme actions

4. Helps cells maintain their internal pressure (turgor pressure)

5. Maintains balance of salts and water in cells (stomata management)

6. Improves seed quality

7. Increases root growth and resistance to disease and drought (enhanced potassium uptake via root tips)

Maximizing Sulphur Efficiency

Sulphur is the fourth macronutrient required by plants and is tied very much to nitrogen utilization efficiency.

Role of Sulphur

1. Structural component of proteins, peptides, and enzymes

2. Used in the formation of chlorophyll

3. Used in the process to convert inorganic N to protein

4. Involved in the nitrogen-fixing process of legumes

5. Responsible for the odor and flavor characteristics of many plants

6. Vital for the synthesis of oils, making it particularly important for oilseed crops.

In some ways, it is unusual to discuss potassium and sulfur together as they are quite opposite in terms of their soil and plant chemistry. Even so, there are some important aspects to consider about the nature of these two essential plant macronutrients that are removed in large amounts in grain and hay (Table 1). As we continue to understand balanced fertility better, it is important to have these nutrients on your agronomic checklist, as deficiencies can occur in many different situations, and these appear to be increasing with our improving crop yields.

Managing greater crop yields that are enhanced through precision management tools and ever-improving crop genetics is demanding us to expand our own knowledge of increased agronomics. As we look to “Maximizing Nutrient Efficiency” , we need to understand better how sulfur promotes the efficient uptake and utilization of other essential nutrients. It aids in the absorption of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, allowing plants to maximize the benefits of these macronutrients. Sulphur also contributes to the activation of enzymes responsible for nutrient metabolism, ensuring that plants have a well-balanced diet. We are also measuring the influence of sulfur on soybean crops and better understanding the greater importance of canola. In the following Brassica study, it is interesting to see the correlation between sulfur and potassium.

*In a study completed on the “Interactions of Sulfate with Other Nutrients as Revealed by H2S Fumigation of Chinese Cabbage ”, sulfur deficiency has a diverse impact on the whole ionome of B. pekinensis with important implications for yield quality. By combining atmospheric and rhizospheric sulfur supply we were able to distinguish between nutrients on the basis of their direct or indirect interaction with the presence of sulfate. H2S fumigation with simultaneous sulfate deprivation revealed that most nutrients change due to growth impairment and changes in dry matter content under sulfur deficiency, rather than a direct interaction with sulfate . Potassium was the only nutrient that was decreased together with total sulfur under sulfur deficiency and showed a strong positive correlation with sulfur content. As sulfate represents the bulk part of total sulfur, these results suggest that potassium acts as the main counter-ion for the characteristically high sulfate levels in leaves of Brassica. Besides molybdenum also zinc, a crucial nutrient for human nutrition, was strongly increased by sulfur deficiency independent of changes in growth. Lower root surface pH under sulfur deficiency and a lower abundance of organic sulfur compounds, which could react with zinc are possible mechanisms.

With my last blog looking at the relationship of potassium and boron, I am excited to be working with sulfur in this mix as well. With so much to consider, we look to trial potassium and sulfur blended products throughout the year, such as AMS, K-Mag, ALPINE K19-S , ALPINE K20-S , and ALPINE CRN-S . Hopefully, we will better understand how to utilize plant metabolism, increased root development, and amplified soil microbial activity to extract K from our soils better. By continually monitoring and balancing your strategic potassium and sulfur plan, we can enhance our “Pursuit of Efficiency.”

To assist with further discussing your pursuit, our Nachurs Alpine Solutions Team looks forward to using our 50 years of experience to discover how our ALPINE Bio-K can improve your pursuit of K efficiency. Please connect with your DSM and Dealer network to see how ALPINE’s Maximize Fertilizer Efficiency can improve your farming experiences today.

Steve McQueen - Agronomy Manager

Table 1. Approximate removal rates for nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and

sulphur (S) (Source: International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI))

References:

Reich, M., Shahbaz, M., Prajapati, D. H., Parmar, S., Hawkesford, M. J., & De Kok, L. J. (2016). Interactions of Sulfate with Other Nutrients As Revealed by H2S Fumigation of Chinese Cabbage . Frontiers Plant Science . https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2016.00541/full

Why Boron Stays Up All Night

Mon, 03 Mar 2025 15:17:15 GMT

The Crucial Role of Boron in Plants

Presenting at grower meetings along with attending tradeshows over the past three months has been very educational. Sharing knowledge and experiences is enjoyable, but addressing questions and concerns creates the greatest learning curve. In this blog, I will list a few questions and comments that have tweaked my interest enough to pass them along.

“Do you trust or believe in soil samples?”

“Until macronutrients are balanced, there is no need to discuss micronutrients.”

“Can I apply boron later in the season to address my plants demand?”

Though these are only three of many questions and discussion points, I found them interesting enough to address them from a boron point of view. I also hope that you will take time to dig a little deeper on your own as we continue the “Pursuit of Efficiency.”

Believing in or trusting soil samples will be a question that so many of you will wrestle with for years to come. There are times that we test the process by sending separate samples in from the same pail and receive different results. This quickly taints, our trust, and for many curves the appetite to continue on. But, if we do nothing, we are merely speculating through our fertility plans and may just match nutrient removal to our yields. Where I see a loophole is how each crop has a different demand for micronutrient levels as they need to match our macronutrient requirements to enhance nutrient efficiency. If we look at our samples as a snapshot of today and concentrate on ratios and how balanced it may be, I believe we will make better decisions as we begin to build a history of results over time.

From here, I want to focus on why boron may stay up all night worrying about your crops being deficient, even though you have applied ample macronutrients and maybe even a little extra. Do we truly understand the need for this micronutrient, and do we understand the mobility it has in the soil to just leach away. There is also a very important balance between boron and potassium when it comes to maintaining a sufficient level of each. With potassium being the facilitator of all nutrients within a plant, we can ill afford to have it deficient. I have included a list below of why our plants want to make sure they are sufficient, and how macronutrients require it as well.

Role of Boron:

· Vital to the growth and development of the plant, without adequate boron, new growth ceases

· It is necessary in the pollination & seed production stages

· Boron is essential for maintaining a balance between sugars and starches

· Small amounts of boron are beneficial to plants, but too much can be toxic to plants, so manage well. Management and measurement are key!!

· Boron is a key nutrient for the prevention of hollow heart in potatoes as well as hollow stem in alfalfa.

Sugar Mover: “Why Boron Stays up All Night”

· Boron moves the plant sugars up and down the plant daily

· During the nighttime, boron moves plant sugars from the plant to feed the root system, which in turn feeds the soil biology

· During night, the soil biology exudes food for the roots and then boron moves this food from the roots up into the plant during the day

· This process takes place daily

Cell Development:

· Boron functions in plants in the differentiation of meristematic cells. Without boron, cells may continue to divide, but structural components are not differentiated.

· Missing florets (seeds) in Timothy and Alfalfa heads

· Larger cereal heads and fuller Canola and legume pods

Addressing the third question as per a later application of boron to address deficiencies, is similar to all nutrients utilized by plants throughout the growing season. Once we dip below the sufficiency levels, the plant begins a path of hidden hunger. Although we do not see these deficiencies as early as the plant detects them, it puts us behind the eight ball, and we now try to catch up. The initiated stress has already been activated, causing our crops to express themselves differently and change exudates to recover deficient nutrients from the soil. This natural activity is now redirecting energy to recover nutrients that we may have been able to apply earlier in the season, allowing our crop to maintain a path of efficiency. With energy ultimately being a limiting factor throughout the season, we have now affected our “Pursuit of Efficiency.”

Although I have just dusted the surface of these questions, my challenge to each of you is to carve out a little time to expand your own knowledge around sampling and boron. I have attached a few examples below of cell development and rooting, and trust it entices you to dig a little deeper into your soil health.

To assist you with your pursuit and knowledge gain, our Nachurs Alpine Solutions Team looks forward to taking 50 plus years of experience and sharing results to expand your horizons. We also look forward to discussing your 2025 fertility needs along with our new offerings that your crops will appreciate.

Please connect with your DSM and Dealer network, to see how ALPINE’s Maximize Fertilizer Efficiency can improve your farming experiences today.

Steve McQueen, Agronomy Manager

Maximizing Plant Health: The Essential Role of Foliar Fertilizers

Thu, 06 Feb 2025 17:29:59 GMT

February 6, 2025

In a recent episode of Real Ag Radio, ALPINE Agronomy Manager Steve McQueen shared valuable insights into the role of foliar fertilizer in a complete cropping plan. Moving beyond the traditional view of foliar applications as a “rescue” measure, Steve emphasized the importance of proactive nutrient management to enhance plant health, improve nutrient uptake efficiency, and maximize yield potential. He also highlighted how ALPINE’s innovative products, like ALPINE F18 Max with Bio-K, can help farmers optimize their fertility strategies. Don’t miss the full interview—watch the video now to learn how strategic foliar applications can make a difference in your fields!

The Potassium Factor, So Little from So Much!!

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 14:30:32 GMT

The benefits of maximizing potassium efficiency

The months of July and August have been filled with field scouting across Canada. From potato crops in PEI and QC, corn fields in NB and ON, to canola and wheat fields in SK and AB, the discussion of potassium continually arises. Having had good moisture across much of our country in the spring, we are now witnessing extreme temperature pressure along with drier conditions on many crops, along with excessive moisture in others. Walking fields yesterday in 35 plus degrees, you could smell the plants cooking in the sunlight. Luckily, we are still having cooler nights and the early season moisture is allowing some reprieve with the increased vegetation that was developed. Through continual crop scouting, accompanied by tissue or sap sampling, we are following up on our foliar applications, to see where our nutrient balances are, while looking for some patterns around plant health.

While walking fields, we continually look for areas where the plants have a healthier colour along with a stronger tolerance to wilting. Knowing potassium is key to nutrient facilitation within a plant, the increased levels of potassium throughout a plant assists with water management. By allowing better stomata control, transpiration is monitored, and plants can respond rapidly to increased moisture loss. As potassium wanes in a plant, this process begins to slow, decreasing water use efficiency. ATP energy also declines, as photosynthesis is retarded at lower potassium levels. These two symptoms alone support the importance of balanced K in plants, along with the facilitation of all other nutrients requiring it. Below is a list of some of the roles that potassium plays within your fields:

Maximizing Potassium Efficiency

Role of Potassium in plant

1. Formation and translocation of starches, sugars, and fats

2. Protein formation

3. Aids in enzyme actions

4. Helps cells maintain their internal pressure (turgor pressure)

5. Maintains balance of salts and water in cells (stomata management)

6. Improves seed quality

7. Increases root growth and resistance to disease and drought (enhanced potassium uptake via root tips)

Further considering the roles of potassium, we must better understand the balance and relationship with micronutrients. Boron, as a sugar mover, synergizes nutrient facilitation alongside potassium. Sufficient boron is also key to allowing plants to take up potassium. We also know that nitrogen assimilation is enhanced with sufficient K levels, and molybdenum, a key micronutrient in nitrogen management is also reliant on K. The more we understand about the importance of potassium’s in our crop development, the more awareness we can achieve for scouting and managing our crops.

Referring to my title, “So Little from So Much” I would like to tweak your thought process around why crops grown in high K ppm level soils still struggle to take up sufficient potassium. As we better understand this complexity, we must consider the interaction between crop demand and fertilizer applications. With several different forces competing in our soils, not all applied nor natural occurring potassium remain available to plants. As the complexity cannot be covered in a short blog, let’s consider a few topics that may spark your interest for further research.

As soils differ in texture, the CEC also changes, reflecting in the soils ability to store positively charged nutrients. We also need to realize that only the K attached to the edges of the clay are readily available for soil solution. With clay soils having higher cation exchange capacity, they can store more potassium, however, the nutrient release rates are inversely related, releasing potassium back into soil solutions at a slower rate than plant demands. The type of clay plays a major role here, with vermiculite and mica-based mineral soils having strong K fixation capacities, scavenging plant available K and rendering it unavailable for the season. So, understanding the physical properties of your farms become a key factor.

Dry soils also attribute to potassium uptake, as mass flow is reduced. Soluble K is exactly what it is, “Soluble”. So, as we consider and measure soil moisture throughout the root zone, we need to monitor root development, available moisture, and understand rates of diffusion based around water. This is where we are working with Crop Intelligence to monitor root growth and water usage throughout a one-meter depth, knowing that K is attached to clay throughout this whole profile. Scanning root structures is also strengthening our knowledge on how ALPINE Bio-K can increase root tips, enhancing water management along with nutrient uptake.

With so many more considerations, there will be a future Blog that will drill deeper into this topic. How will we utilize plant metabolism, increased root development, along with amplified soil microbial activity, to better extract K from our soils. By continually monitoring and balancing your strategic potassium plan, we can improve our “Pursuit of Efficiency.” To assist with further discussing your pursuit, our Nachurs Alpine Solutions Team looks forward to taking our 50 years of experience, to discover how our ALPINE Bio-K can improve your pursuit of K efficiency.

Please connect with your DSM and Dealer network, to see how ALPINE’s Maximize Fertilizer Efficiency can improve your farming experiences today.

Greg Patterson B.Sc.(Agr.), C.C.A. Mi

CEO A&L Canada Laboratories

Potassium bound by clay.

SF1881 North Dakota Clay Mineralogy Impacts Crop Potassium Nutrition and Tillage Systems

Effect of Potassium on Nitrogen Use Efficiency

Marschner

Steve McQueen, Agronomy Manager

Are you "Zincing" about Winter Wheat Planting?

Tue, 20 Aug 2024 12:52:28 GMT

The benefits of Zinc on Winter Wheat

With winter wheat seeding on the doorstep, we want to make sure we are including all our seedlings’ needs for a quick and healthy start. From gathering information we know the importance of certified seed, favourable planting times and ideal soil conditions. Paying closer attention to seed to soil contact and plant counts, we need to make sure we treat our seed drills with the same respect and attention we give our corn planters. Residue from the previous crop, along with soil preparation is a key factor in uniform germination and emergence. But as the season pushes on, we know all too well that getting the drill right behind the combine is our go to plan. Each factor may be trumped by weather and how the season is progressing, but the things we have not considered will never cross our minds as a point of action.

We know that wheat requires phosphorus for an early start, but we are also learning that like every crop, phosphorus carries a demand right through to fill. Supporting photosynthesis and assisting with nitrogen assimilation, we need to make sure that deficiencies do not occur. With some of the further studies, it is not all about the quantity, but the placement that enhances use efficiencies. This is where ALPINE has spent 50 years supplying a low salt readily available ortho-form of in-furrow P. Amplifying the crops’ ability for a quick start, which is proving to build a healthier vegetation stage, setting plants up for greater success. It is when we are looking to improve on what we are already accomplishing that micronutrients need to be considered.

Referring to the title of this article, is zinc included in your crop plan as you prepare for fall, and how will it be applied. Usually, we have enough experience to add chelated zinc to our corn starter, but do we include this as a standard with our soybean and wheat rotations. Along with this, do we pay attention to our P:Zn ratios!! As a standard, we continue to look at a 10:1 balance, but as we grow bigger yields, there is new data that is seeing advantages to an 8:1 ratio as well. Paying attention to these ratios will assist in our phosphorous management and knowing that higher rates of phosphorous depress zinc availability, we may need to better balance our fertility plan. Plants deficient in zinc have an impaired ability to regulate the accumulation of phosphorus, resulting in plants taking up excessive amounts. This often results in tissue samples of zinc-deficient plants showing high phosphorous.

Role of Zinc:

• Zinc is crucial in flower formation. i.e. canola

• Zinc acts like “antifreeze” in the plant to give early and late frost protection

• Zinc controls the synthesis of many plant growth regulators

• Zinc is unavailable in high pH soils

• Zinc improves germination rate and plant vigor

• Zinc deficient plants have smaller leaves, limiting photosynthesis

• Zinc is necessary for starch formation and proper root development

• Zinc is also essential for seed formation and maturity

Knowing a little bit more about zinc is really what this article is meant to do, and with this awareness, lurks opportunity. With our ALPINE MicroBolt Zn (9% EDTA) along with our new ALPINE MicroFusion Zn (2-0-2-0.2Cu-1Mn-4.5Zn), we are prepared to “Maximize Fertilizer Efficiency” across your farms. Whether we are supporting manure, compost or your standard phosphorous program, there are in-furrow and foliar options to maintain your P:Zn balance. If nothing else comes from this article other than you having a closer look at micronutrient relationships, that is considered as success. And once you address them, you will gain success!!

If you have further questions on zinc or other micronutrients, please reach out to your ALPINE DSM’s and Dealers, and I wish everyone a safe and prosperous 2024 harvest season ahead.

Steve McQueen, Agronomy Manager

The Magnesium Factor

Tue, 09 Jul 2024 12:50:21 GMT

As I travel across Canada, it has been great to see moisture along much of my path. Greener pastures and ditches in Alberta, lush spring wheat, durum, and lentil crops in Saskatchewan, as well as many triticale, grass, and alfalfa fields, are being cut from British Columbia to Nova Scotia. I do not want to forget those potatoes spread across our country along with many specialty crops. As heat and moisture have brought germination, emergence, and vegetation growth, our crop nutrient management remains a key to success as we monitor the “Points of Influence.” Crop scouting, accompanied by tissue or sap samples, supports crop-based crop protection and foliar nutrient applications. As we have been programmed to concentrate on nitrogen, we are putting a lot of pressure on one nutrient to solve many deficiencies and concerns while ignoring the balance of fertility our crops may be looking for. In this blog post, I will not cover all the nutrient requirements but concentrate a little on magnesium, as I refer to what makes plants green.

This spring, a significant amount of discussion surfaced around magnesium, and several growers requested magnesium for their cropping plans. Sometimes, what is new is old; looking back, magnesium has been a big part of many crop plans for decades. In sandy soils, specialty crops, and our high calcitic soils, we are looking to balance our oxygen and moisture space in soil levels. To better understand what we are looking at, I have included a list of what Mg is responsible for as well as soil activity stated:

Magnesium

Crops require magnesium to capture the sun's energy for growth and production through photosynthesis.
Magnesium is an essential component of the chlorophyll molecule, with each molecule containing 6.7 percent magnesium.
Magnesium also acts as a phosphorus carrier in plants.
Necessary for cell division and protein formation.
Phosphorus uptake could not occur without magnesium, and vice versa.
Magnesium is essential for phosphate metabolism, plant respiration, and the activation of several enzyme systems.

Hidden in the heart of each chlorophyll molecule is an atom of magnesium.

Magnesium in Soils

As minerals slowly weather, some Mg is made available to plants.
Magnesium availability to plants is often related to soil pH.
Research has shown that Mg availability to the plant decreases at low pH values.
On acid soils with a pH below about 5.8, excessive hydrogen and aluminum can influence Mg availability and plant uptake.
At high pH values (above 7.4), excessive calcium may have an overriding influence on Mg uptake by plants.
Sandy soils with low cation exchange capacity have low Mg-supplying power.
High applications of ammonium and potassium may also interfere with balanced nutrition through competitive ion effects.

The Mosaic Company. (2023, July 5). Secondary Nutrients: Factors Affecting Increase Need For Calcium, Magnesium, and Sulfur. Mosaic Crop Nutrition. https://www.cropnutrition.com/nutrientmanagement/secondarynutrients/#:~:text=High%20applications%20of%20ammonium%20and,and%20Mg%20application%20is%20warranted

After reading this information, it is evident that Mg carries a vital role in plant existence and in achieving our crop goals. The blog title, “The Magnesium Factor,” amazes me how many tissue samples show a magnesium deficiency and how many times it may be ignored due to a misunderstanding of its importance. We also examine product availability, compatibility, and placement issues with our existing programs. To this end, here at ALPINE, we are researching and developing our ALPINE Bio Mag product to go with our existing MicroBolt Mg product. Accompanying your nitrogen applications, whether through conceal, side-dressing, or Y-drop application, along with foliar applications, we strive to increase Mg uptake in your crops, maintaining a healthy nutrient balance. Once we foliar apply magnesium over the next few weeks, we will expand our knowledge even further.

Overall, by continually monitoring and balancing your strategic crop plan, we will continue the quest for the “Pursuit of Efficiency.” To assist you with your pursuit, our Nachurs Alpine Solutions Team looks forward to taking our 50 years of experience to support and expand your horizon as you continue to enhance your 2024 cropping plan.

Please contact your DSM and Dealer network to learn how ALPINE’s Maximize Fertilizer Efficiency can improve your farming experiences today.

Steve McQueen, Agronomy Manager

A Foliar Influence

Tue, 11 Jun 2024 13:47:40 GMT

Welcome to June 2024. As discussed in our March article, weather is what we receive from above, and we do not make the arrangements. Again, what is in our control is taking our past lessons and applying our experiences to the 2024 crop. As we continue to “learn, unlearn, and re-learn,” we can better understand the points of influence that we can utilize to react to our crop's needs. With most of the germination and emergence behind us, we are looking to drive vegetation by developing the best foliage we can, capturing maximum sunlight, and amplifying plant energy. This energy will be the key to supporting reproduction and then crop fill throughout the season. This is where tissue and sap sampling must be utilized to build a balanced foliar program.

Once we understand a crop's requirement, we can look at a demand curve and design a program to enhance plant health. Foliar applications are often a rescue, and not in the plan, as a tool, but are very valuable in utilizing soil-applied fertility through root activation. To better understand foliar applications, we must understand what we want to achieve. First, we need to have nutrients that can be taken up by the plants. Second, we need to understand how we will feed the plant, and thirdly, we need to apply fertility with a purpose.

When applying foliar products, the rates will seem inadequate for the deficiency, but what is the overarching goal? “One of the touted benefits of foliar fertilization is the increased uptake of nutrients from the soil” (George Kuepper, NCAT Agriculture Specialist, Foliar Fertilizer 2003). As we continue to learn more about root-to-soil interaction, the measurement of root tips leads to a better understanding of how each tip, expressed through foliar applications, amplifies nutrient uptake. Regarding plant fertility, our ALPINE foliar products contain orthophosphate, which plants can readily absorb through vegetation. The potassium source, ALPINE Bio-K, has the benefit of smaller molecular size and a low deliquescence point, extending available uptake time. The ALPINE Micronutrients are also chelated, allowing them to be available for uptake by the plant.

As for foliar feeding your crop, we want to apply products when the plant is best available to receive them. In the mornings, when the stomata are open, stay away from the day's heat stress. If a foliar dries on a leaf, it must re-wet to become available again. It is also advantageous to feed a healthy crop and fend off stress instead of waiting to see the stress and deficiencies prior to a reactive application. It is also essential to understand how nutrients move via diffusion. So, when we can keep our foliar fertilizer in solution for a more extended period, the concentration increases during water evaporation, allowing the fertilizer to be taken into your crops.

Applying with a purpose is what I continue to strive to learn, causing me to read, experiment, and incorporate new ideas along the way. Take our ALPINE K20-S, for example, a 3-0-20-8S-0.2B-0.1Mn-0.002Mo blended foliar. Nitrogen works as an adjuvant to enhance nutrient uptake and increases the formation of amino acids required to develop protein along with sulfur and molybdenum. The ALPINE Bio-K, a potassium acetate source, increases plant metabolism, nutrient uptake, and feeding microbiology. As a result, the package, which also includes boron, is designed to improve uptake and assimilation to better equip your crop for success.

When combining ALPINE K20-S with ALPINE CRN-B later in the vegetation season, we can stimulate crops to greater success. If the rain continues, this combination has proven to strengthen crops struggling with root rot and K & B deficiencies. I would also like you to consider working with your nitrogen applications, knowing that straight N is not always your plant's best friend. As we continue to look at humic and fulvic acids, along with Boron, Magnesium, and Calcium, in blended situations, there will be much more to write about in the near future.

If you have further questions, don't hesitate to contact your ALPINE DSMs and Dealers. I wish everyone a safe and prosperous Summer ahead.

Steve McQueen, Agronomy Manager

AgroFocus: The Amplification of F18 Max

Thu, 23 May 2024 17:23:54 GMT

The Amplification of ALPINE F18 Max

As the old saying goes, April Showers Bring May Flowers, and as we continue to experience, the Ides of March have brought April flowers in many areas. In this blog, I want to focus on how to better understand the importance of stress meditation throughout the growing season, from germination to flowering, and then on to fill.

To expand on the blog title, The Amplification of ALPINE F18 Max, I want to start with why we developed a fertilizer crop plan in the first place. Although many plans are designed a few hours before planting, I want to expand on a deeper understanding of balanced nutrition. We take the crop we are growing and then estimate our yields. From there, we now look at removal by the crop and consider what fertility is in our soil bank. The math equation from there outlines our application rates, but what we have done is that our crop will evenly draw off our fertility application throughout the season.

Other situations to consider may be that roots encounter about 1% of the soil. Secondly, they grow down, and each crop has a different growth angle. Some will grow with a 45 and others closer to 90-degree angles, which changes the nutrient encountering zone. Then there are the tap root plants vs the fibrous growing ones that draw deeper in the soil profile. We then need to estimate the level from which a crop draws water, knowing that many nutrients rely on mass flow. Another thought is what micronutrients may be required to allow the roots to increase the osmotic uptake of co-nutrients. Each of these considerations may cause significant variability, requiring in-season crop management to enhance the starter package that we provided.

Now that we have more variables let’s consider why ALPINE F18 Max was developed. As a foliar we want each nutrient to not only have a purpose but be available to the plant. ALPINE F18 Max has a balanced N, P, K package of 8-4-6. With so many products in the industry based on these three, it is essential to ensure the forms. Orthophosphate is the only form a plant can uptake, and our Bio-K potassium acetate allows plants to have easy access to each nutrient while amplifying plant metabolism. The acetate molecule creates a point of deliquescence, keeping the foliar application in a liquid state when the humidity is above 23.3%. This, along with having a small molecular size, is the first key to plant availability and ease of uptake.

Accompanying the macros is a balance of micros, leading with 1% Zn & Mn and Cu & B. Zinc is required to balance phosphorus uptake, and Mn is crucial to leaf lignin and cuticle strength. This will amplify energy and enable leaf health for drought tolerance and superior photosynthesis. Boron is required to balance potassium uptake, mediating stress through water management. The added copper again works on plant health and stress relief. All this is in a package to maximize fertilizer efficiency, utilizing your cropping plan to its most significant potential.

To wrap this up, I am a firm believer that foliar applications have a much greater attribute than just trying to cover a shortfall. Plant activation from a foliar application stimulates root and microbes, establishing an excellent plant-to-soil biome relationship. When utilizing your own developed ALPINE S2F Plan, you can reallocate nutrients to increase efficiency. Maintaining your N:S ratio and including potassium and boron as your facilitator will enable a plant to improve efficiency. Knowing that additional carbon sources increase metabolism, the fulvic acid that is incorporated into ALPINE F18 MAX will enhance plant and soil health as well. The addition of micronutrients to cover off deficiencies will mediate stress, allowing your crop to amplify the genetic potentials you paid for.

All in all, by starting our season off with a strategic crop plan, we begin the quest for the “Pursuit of Efficiency.” To assist you with your pursuit, our Nachurs Alpine Solutions Team looks forward to using our 50 years of experience to support and expand your horizons on your 2024 cropping plan. By utilizing soil and tissue samples and your past experiences, 2024 can start with more significant potential.

Please contact our DSM and Dealer network to learn how ALPINE’s Maximize Fertilizer Efficiency can improve your farming operation.

Steve McQueen, Agronomy Manager

To learn more about “Maximizing Fertilizer Efficiency” from ALPINE’s qualified team, contact your local DSM, which can be found by visiting ALPINE’s website, www.alpinepfl.com .

AgroFocus Customer Success Story

Thu, 21 Mar 2024 14:59:54 GMT

Upgrading your in-furrow starters to ALPINE G241-S

The movement to ALPINE’s newer in-furrow starter, ALPINE G241-S continues to happen across Eastern Canada. ALPINE DSM and Certified Crop Advisor, Pierre Pinsonneault works with growers and dealers in Southern Ontario. He does everything he can to bring programs to crop producers that will maximize their fertilizer efficiency, maximizing their economic returns.

Neal Miller, an ALPINE customer who farms near Jerseyville, Ontario, grows corn, soybeans, and wheat. Neal uses 10-34-0 as a starter fertilizer on his corn, which provides some early nitrogen and phosphorus. However, Pierre felt improvements could be made to this program by adding ALPINE Bio-K potassium and ultimately moving to a more available phosphorus source. For the first year of the conversion, Neal added ALPINE K24 to the 10-34-0 to bring potassium in the most soluble form available. The Bio-K form of potassium also contains acetate which is the preferred source of food for soil mycorrhizae. By feeding the soil microbes, nutrient uptake is enhanced, and larger root growth occurs, which in turn brings higher yields when ALPINE Bio-K products are used. Neal was pleased with the mixability of ALPINE K24 and the agromonic performance.

Moving forward a year and striving for even more fertilizer value, Pierre discussed ALPINE G241-S with Neal. This premium in-furrow starter fertilizer contains Bio-K potassium, which Neal had become acquainted with previously, but also has 1% Sulphur and an 80/20 ratio of ortho/poly phosphorus, which has many advantages over the 30/70 ratio provided by the 10-34-0. Plants need phosphorus in the ortho form to be taken up by seedling roots.

Providing a starter fertilizer with a higher amount of ortho phosphorus ensures young plants get a healthy dose of phosphorus into them and off to a great start. The poly form of phosphorus needs to be converted to the ortho form before it can be taken up by seedling roots. This conversion relies on soil biology, which in turn depend on soil temperature to become more active. Typically with cooler spring soils, the conversion of poly phosphate to ortho can take upwards of three weeks.

Neil is very pleased with the performance of ALPINE G241-S and how is brings the Bio-K advantage to his corn crop while eliminating mixing two different products together in the busy spring season. He also enjoyed the consistent high quality of ALPINE G241-S compared to 10-34-0.

To learn more about “Maximizing Fertilizer Efficiency” from ALPINE’s qualified team contact your local DSM who can be found by visiting ALPINE’s website, www.alpinepfl.com .

AgroFocus Blog Series

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 21:21:57 GMT

ALPINE Bio-K Enhanced Feed Quality

As I continue to harvest knowledge from our past experiences, I thought it would be interesting to discuss how a well-managed crop plan can also reap rewards in the barn. As we interchange the words fertilizer and nutrition when discussing plants, we stick with nutrition for livestock, as fertility has a different role to play. Yet, fertility in plant reproduction, as well as livestock production, expresses the best results in nutritional health.

Sitting here on my flight to the PEI Potato Expo, I have just finalized my presentation for a group of dairy producers in New Brunswick. It is one of the best parts of being an Agronomy Manager, always considering how interactions within a plant can enhance success while amplifying quality for yield and feed. To that end, I would like to consider “Points of Influences” that we can manage throughout the season, discussed in Blog #13, again.

Germination and emergence are the first “ Points of Influence ” that we can manage. We understand the importance of setting up our crop for success, but how can this disrupt our feed? As we have witnessed the variation in yield and maturity of later emerging plants, they never recover, increasing crop disease along with grain immaturity at harvest. If we have a 5% variation, we begin to change the uniformity of feed quality.

With our crop uniformly emerging, we have begun the race to harvest. As we rely on sunlight for photosynthesis, the sooner we can meet row closure with healthy vegetation, the sooner we can capture maximum solar power. The vegetation also requires a nutrient balance for consistent growth; although we all understand the importance of nitrogen, it must be accompanied by a facilitator, which is potassium. During this stage, we rely on potassium alongside boron to deliver fertility to the plant while returning nutrients back to the roots and microbial life awaiting instructions in the soil. During this growth stage, ALPINE Bio-K provides both an available potassium source and the ability to amplify your plant’s metabolic system. Microbes also take advantage of an increased food source to assist in farming more plant-required nutrients from your soil. (Steve McQueen Blog #13) The importance of maintaining nutritional health in your crops is again reflected in your feed values. As plants become deficient, they begin to cannibalize nutrients, and as they do, the lower portions of the plants decrease in nutrition and digestibility. This breakdown can lead to a higher non-digestible ash number.

By maintaining healthy vegetation, we support the reproduction stage, which is critical for grain yield success. When we are flowering, pollinating, and establishing yield, we are also encountering the heat of summer. Stress mediation is something that our crops are looking for us to support them through, and our ALPINE Bio-K Potassium Source plays a key role in water management. This is where we can take advantage of matching foliar nutrients to maintain crop demands. Understanding plant requirements vs true availability will allow us to manage plant stress more effectively. Foliar applications throughout reproductive stages will allow plants to amplify their genetic potential, leading to feed quality and yield. ( Steve McQueen Blog #13 )

The final stage allows us to complete the cycle, from seed to germination, from germination to vegetation, and healthy vegetation, leading to strong reproduction. The plant can now fulfill the reason it exists by developing more seed and feed quality from our crop plan. The energy and nutrients we have developed in our crops can now express themselves to seed and feed quality.

By starting our season off with a strategic crop plan, we begin the quest for the “ Pursuit of Efficiency. ” To assist you with your pursuit, our Nachurs Alpine Solutions Team looks forward to using our 50 years of experience to expand your horizons for your 2024 cropping plan. Over the next few months, as you consider your past experiences, utilize them to enhance your future success.

Please connect with our DSM and Dealer network to see how ALPINE’s Maximize Fertilizer Efficiency can improve your farming operation, along with your feed quality.

-Steve McQueen, Agronomy Manager

AgroFocus Blog Series

Thu, 08 Feb 2024 21:01:51 GMT

2023 Insights on 2024 Pursuit of Efficiency

The benefits of our past experiences can create value as we apply them to inspire creativity in our minds. By taking inventory of past lessons, we can develop categories of possibilities that we can act on. As I have been pondering how I would navigate through a life’s worth of trials and errors, along with discovery and successes, I thought it would be good to add a little insight on some lessons from 2023.

Sitting here on my flight back from Alberta, and looking across the winter landscape, I am anticipating the crops that will soon spring out of the ground and again colour our soil with beauty and life. Although it seems that all is at rest, both soils and farmers are preparing for the rush. Consideration of soil preparation and planting equipment, along with fertilizer application and sprayer technologies, we are developing our plan. Seed is on route, or ready for treatment in the bins, while fertilizer arrangements continue to be firmed up. With all these things in the mix, I thought I would comment on a few, while hopefully sharing some insight into the “Pursuit of Efficiency.”

To that end, I would like to consider “Points of Influences” that we can manage throughout the season. As there are four that I will incorporate into the topics from above, I also like to discuss a fifth. That is, how well was your 2023 crop stover distributed, and how was your soil structure left from tillage or excessive traffic. At first look, all is well, but upon further monitoring, winter snow cover and uniformity across the field can share a great lesson. I also challenge you to take some photos of inconsistent cover and compare it to your germination and emergence maps throughout the spring. You may also want to compare the residue management behind the combine for nitrogen deficiencies while microbial life works overtime in those areas.

As the fifth one is very much in our control to manage, I would like to look at the remaining four, starting with germination and emergence. I heard one of the top yield growers state the top three silver bullets for success, “planter, planter, planter”, so let’s start there. A planter/seeder has several responsibilities once we pull it out of the shed. It must gently transport the seed from a hopper to the ground, by opening a trench, placing the seed in a controlled depth opening, and then applying soil back around the seed with uniform pressure. We entrust our planters to do the best job in every soil type as well as soil condition, while we watch it from the tractor seat. Is the planter depth setting the same as the germination depth and is it the same at every speed. Is stopping to measure behind the planter as you slowed to check it compared to the swath beside that you were travelling at your set speed. We also have expectations that our planter is distributing our starter fertilizer where the plants can utilize it the best. Understanding that roots touch about 1% of the soil during a growing season, it is key that if we are placing a 2x2 or sideband blend, that it is 2x2 from the seed depth vs 2x2 from the soil surface. Applying a seed safe ALPINE starter program with the seed has a great advantage and will enhance your entire crop nutrient plan, encouraging uniform germination and emergence.

Once we have a crop uniformly emerged, we have begun the race to harvest. As we rely on sunlight for photosynthesis, the sooner we can meet row closure with healthy vegetation, we can capture maximum solar power. This was evident in the YEN wheat program this year as the top yields harvested maximum sunlight over the growing season. The vegetation also requires a nutrient balance for consistent growth, although we all understand the importance of nitrogen, it must be accompanied with a facilitator which is potassium. During this stage, we rely on potassium alongside boron to deliver fertility to the plant while returning nutrients back to the roots and microbial life awaiting instructions in the soil. During this growth stage, ALPINE Bio-K® provides both an available potassium source along with the ability to amplify your plants metabolic system. Microbes also take advantage of an increased food source to assist in farming more plant required nutrients from your soil.

The healthy vegetation will now allow us to support the reproduction stage, which is critical for yield success. When we are flowering, pollinating, and establishing yield, we are also encountering the heat of summer. Stress mediation is something that our crops are looking for us to support them through. If we understand the required nutrients at each stage, utilizing tissue samples to outline our best steps will assist us with our foliar nutrient needs. This is where we can take advantage of matching foliar nutrients to maintain nutrient demand. We continue to learn more about water uptake vs nutrient availability from different soil layers. Understanding plant requirements vs true availability will allow us to manage plant stress more effectively. Foliar applications throughout reproductive stages will allow plants to amplify their genetic potential, leading to quality and yield.

The final stage allows us to complete the cycle, from seed to germination, from germination to vegetation and healthy vegetation leading to strong reproduction. The plant can now fulfill the reason it exists by developing more seed. Here is where we reap the rewards of our cropping plan. The energy and nutrients we have developed in our crops can now express themselves to seed quality and yield. As the plant forges towards maturity, it is all based on how well it is positioned for the final leg. Understanding the longer seeds mature on a healthy plant, the better opportunity we have to reach genetic potential. Nitrates are assimilating into amino acids, then into proteins and carbohydrates. Potassium and boron continue to manage nutrient movement while phosphorus continues to drive energy. If we are short of nutrients here, we can be restricted with how much we can enhance our plants.

By starting our season off with a strategic crop plan, we begin the quest for the “Pursuit of Efficiency.” To assist you with your pursuit, our Nachurs Alpine Solutions Team looks forward to taking our 50 years of experience to support expanding your horizons for your 2024 cropping plan. Over the next few months, as you consider your past experiences, utilize them to enhance your future success. Please connect with our DSM and Dealer network, to see how ALPINE’s Maximize Fertilizer Efficiency can improve your farming operation.

Please connect with our DSM and Dealer network, to see how ALPINE’s Maximize Fertilizer Efficiency can improve your farming operation!

-Steve McQueen, Agronomy Manager

Stand Establishment

Uneven emergence

Healthy vegetation

Reproduction

Crop fill

AgroFocus Blog Series

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 16:40:56 GMT

A Solution Within a Solution

It has been a while since my last blog, with plot harvest and data collection taking up a lot of time. This has also been balanced with traveling the farmlands of Canada and the Northwest US to meet growers and dealers, to better understand how our ALPINE products performed throughout 2023. As we continue to consider our own crops this harvest, we will better understand our achievements from 2023, and the lessons we have learned are a guide to develop our 2024 crop plans to greater success.

A few things that I would like to share from our 2023 fall discovery are based around plot data, but more so around comments shared by some of you and growers like you. Throughout the year, our summer intern collected data from our nitrogen trial. It is based on a reduction of applied N along with additives of humic acids, ALPINE Soilmax , and ALPINE Bio-K along with micronutrients. Early results collected by our student showed that the plants with reduced N increased root mass and maintained tissue balances. As these are just preliminary results from a few trials, they can be disregarded very quickly from a statistical perspective. But what was interesting is that the yields are agreeing with the earlier plant balance. As plants are 94% carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, I believe we need to pay more attention to how we balance the 6% that we apply as crop nutrition. Do we consider the law of the maximum or just the laws of the minimum? Once, our final trial is harvested next week, we will have some fun discussions ahead, as well as looking at some continued success with boron being added to UAN solution .

Along the same thought process of balanced fertility, we continue to see the value of having N, P, K supported by micronutrients, and understanding the role each plays to synergize each other. We also want to make sure we understand the sources of each and how this can amplify nutrient uptake and plant use efficiency. Trials across the west are determining that by utilizing our ALPINE orthophosphate starters, enhanced by adding ALPINE Bio-K, are increasing root tips, increasing water and nutrient use efficiencies. These root tips are expressing plant health by increasing exudate points as well as nutrient uptake capacity. They are also playing a key role in root penetration to allow plants to utilize deeper moisture reserves. By applying our liquid ALPINE G22 plus ALPINE K19-S in western Canada, similar to applying our ALPINE G241-S in the east, we are meeting the plants need by applying a solution in the soil for ease of access by the plant. We will also further discuss this at the Crop Intelligence Conference in Regina, and throughout the winter.

With many trials to evaluate and digest over the winter, it is still conversations with each other that teach us the most. Experiences of our successes and struggles allow us to build from consistency and adjust from disappointments. What I truly find rewarding from the past year is the desire to create opportunity from both. By choosing a positive outlook on what each cause was will assist us with our strategy development. By looking deeper into what created an advantage as well as the cause of an issue, we will build a baseline and continue to move it upward. The winter meetings that we involve ourselves in, will remain the best learning tools when we all share, and I am looking forward to your involvement.

As I refer to the title, “ A Solution within a Solution ,” I like to always consider the environment we are in. Plants interact with the soil to gather nutrients, yet they can only take up nutrients that are in solution . From root interception to mass flow and finally diffusion, all interactions involve solutes . We are very much alike and learn from direct interaction the best. Secondly, we gather information from the environments we put ourselves into, and finally, we become better at what we do by researching on our own and the experiments we design and follow through on.

We at Nachurs Alpine Solutions also look forward to taking our 50 years of experience and assist each of you with expanding your horizons for your 2024 cropping plan. Over the next few months, as you take your past experiences, and utilize them to enhance your future success, please connect with our DSM and Dealer network, to see how ALPINE’s Maximizing Fertilizer Efficiency can improve your farming operation.

We wish you and your families a Merry Christmas and a prosperous 2024!

-Steve McQueen, Agronomy Manager

ALPINE K19-S®

Wed, 25 Oct 2023 17:32:33 GMT

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHT-

The importance of ALPINE K19-S® for your crops-

ALPINE K19-S contains our ALPINE Bio-K source of potassium, that teams with nitrogen and sulfur to produce protein essential for proper plant growth. ALPINE K19-S can be mixed with UAN solutions and liquid urea solutions to provide two very critical elements - potassium and sulfur; typically missing from these base fertilizer products.

What makes ALPINE K19-S® different than the other products on the market-

ALPINE K19-S is formulated with ALPINE Bio-K® , potassium acetate that provides a highly soluble form of potassium and sulfur, available to blend and enhance ALPINE G22® as well as UAN applications.

For more information, click here or contact your local ALPINE sales manager.

AgroFocus Blog Series

Tue, 17 Oct 2023 14:54:36 GMT

After the Seeds of Spring Have Spoken.

In early September I had the privilege of vacationing in Ireland, taking time for a reprieve from research and development plots. This opportunity to refresh and regenerate was accompanied with a time of reflection, witnessing different styles and environments of agricultural practices while enjoying breath taking views of nature. It was during this trip that I heard a song, “Follow the Heron”, that inspired the title for this blog.

Although September has come and gone, I know that the opportunity to attend so many different agricultural shows and learning events have presented us with new ideas and processes that we can begin to incorporate into our 2024 cropping plans. As we continue to ground truth our own crops, along with discussions with our peers, it is the harvest that we are involved in that truly allows us to better understand our achievements from 2023. From the time we planted our seeds, through to our fall harvest, the lessons we have learned are a guide to greater success.

With October upon us, and harvest drawing to completion across the west, we continue to gain momentum here in the east. Wrapping up our hay crops, literally, and fertilizing for winter hardiness, while bunkering up corn sileage for a winter of livestock feed. Digging potatoes, pulling dry beans as combines swallow up the soybean and corn fields, providing us with hands on opportunities to gather the results from our spring plantings. As we take inventory of our crops, we will now focus on where our gains and loses developed from. This insight will be very beneficial to our seed choices, as well as our crop protection and fertility practices.

With ALPINE celebrating 50 years of business on October 11 ^th , we have had the opportunity to support and service so many of you with your Canadian Agribusinesses. Starting as an in-furrow phosphorous company, we have established the ALPINE Kit delivery system, along with our quality line of chelated micronutrients. By leading the way with our orthophosphate lines, we have now expanded into the potassium space, leading with our ALPINE Bio-K® , potassium acetate line.

As I referred to the title, “After the Seeds of Spring have Spoken,” we at Nachurs Alpine Solutions are looking forward to taking our 50 years of experience and assist each of you with expanding your horizons for your 2024 cropping plan. Over the next few months, as you take your past experiences, and utilize them to enhance your future success, please connect with our DSM and Dealer network, to see how ALPINE’s Maximizing Fertilizer Efficiency can improve your farming operation.

Have a safe and prosperous fall as we all continue to learn and grow together!!

-Steve McQueen, Agronomy Manager

Global Fertilizer Day

Fri, 13 Oct 2023 16:56:32 GMT

The ALPINE Difference: Nutrient Solubility

Not all K is created equal.

Today is Global Fertilizer Day! ALPINE promotes stewardship, sustainability , and efficiency, which are essential to help feed the world. ALPINE Bio-K is a potassium acetate-based plant nutrient that is the most soluble, available, and efficient form of potassium fertilizer on the market today. With the current focus centered around nutrient efficiency, product sustainability, and environmental stewardship, ALPINE Bio-K checks all those boxes while increasing crop yield.

Points of Influence

Mon, 02 Oct 2023 17:36:44 GMT

Watch the video below.

ALPINE Agronomy Manager, Steve McQueen, discusses points of influence at Canada's Outdoor Farm Show.

For more information click here .

ALPINE G241-S®

Tue, 05 Sep 2023 15:48:18 GMT

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHT-

The importance of ALPINE G241-S® for your crops-

ALPINE G241-S® is a premium NPK starter with sulfur and Bio-K. You can expect quicker germination, enhanced root development, and elevated abiotic stress tolerance. ALPINE G241-S starter brings you the advantages of the newest advancement in plant available potash. In addition, these products also maintain the high purity, high orthophosphate content, and of course seed safe features that you have relied on and expected from the trusted ALPINE line of starter fertilizers.

What makes ALPINE G241-S® different than the other products on the market-

ALPINE G241-S® is designed and manufactured for the Ontario marketplace. ALPINE G241-S, the newest product in ALPINE’s starter line up also incorporates a source of Sulphur to balance out the starter package of macro-nutrients. ALPINE G241-S contains ALPINE Bio-K® ; a unique natural plant metabolite that enables plants to uptake and make more efficient use of potash.

For more information, click here or contact your local ALPINE sales manager.

AgroFocus Blog Series

Wed, 30 Aug 2023 14:37:50 GMT

An Agronomic August

It is so amazing to monitor and scout crops from mid-July through August as we continue to witness fruit and seed sets. Spending time monitoring our crops for insect and disease pressures, it is now the quality of our yields we are looking to better understand and protect. We also want to have a very close look at what may have been lacking throughout the season and document our 2024 crop plan improvement. Connecting and networking with others at upcoming Ag Shows and local Soil and crop meetings will also enhance our knowledge with lessons learned from others.

With the heading of Blog # 10 being “An Agronomic August,” I wanted to share a few of my adventures and hopefully stretch your mindset. It is a very common thought process that our observations are localized and unique to only our farms. If this were true, then we would have little to learn from each other that we would consider relevant to our crops. I would like to challenge your mind and create awareness around what we could be looking to discover throughout the harvest.

While in Southeast Saskatchewan, I had the opportunity to discuss our ALPINE Bio-K , along with the different points of influence we are looking to address. The conversation of plant and soil interaction led to a question about high Mg levels affecting soil structure and microbial activity. Knowing that Mg, Na, and K tighten soil structure, we had a good discussion about the importance of Ca for soil porosity. The interesting thing is that there are severe Mg issues in Alberta and Ontario and similar deposits in all provinces, whether levels are high or low. The one thing that makes it more difficult to manage is the local availability of amended products in each area, causing more creativity for many.

During some field walks of soybeans in Manitoba, Eastern Ontario, and Quebec last week, it was very evident that the hours of sunlight continue to support vegetation growth. There is a large variance in sunlight hours, which determines seeding rates as well as row widths. 30” seems to give us better aeration between the rows further south, while 15” rows seem to keep the plants shorter where there is excessive light, allowing for better air movement there.

Walking corn fields and gathering yield samples has also revealed a great deal of information. From root digs to tissue samples, along with stand counts and even spacings, to cob row numbers and length counts. When cobs are not at uniform heights, along with variations in numbers around 14-20 in the same row, we need to take a closer look at our planter performance. If we take time to compare each row of our planter and do a yield count for each, we may be amazed at what we discover. We have a complete winter ahead to make corrections to what we have discovered this season.

Looking at your germination depth, as described by Dave Hula, and start to consider if we had adequate down pressure for even depth control. We also want to consider if we had proper nutrition during germination, embryo set, and embryo split timing. The more often we walk fields and gather tissue analysis, the better understanding we will have to follow plant health to amplify the genetic potential of the seeds we are planting. If we can increase a cob by two rows, from 18-20, we have the potential to gain 11% more corn.

It is also interesting, when walking in potato fields, to see the impact of uniform spacing within the rows there as well. Plant spacing continues to be a consideration in all crops, and uniform emergence is a well-known requirement for maximizing yields. It is difficult to measure without ground truthing, and while in your fields, it is easy to gather tissue samples to manage deficiencies.

As we continue to harvest in many areas, as well as start in others, I recommend that you take a few minutes to discover what your crops show you to improve your knowledge and management skills for 2024. Soil samples to create balanced nutrition, allowing fall amendments as required. Secondly, most combines have the ability to mark disease areas matching yields to a visual, gathering data for future seed choices. Harvest is also one of the best times to discover planter issues, and even after harvest, the stubble can tell a unique story of even distribution. Matching the variability of the yield monitor to what has happened throughout the year will also strengthen our 2024 management decisions.

Time, being a nonrenewable resource, is best spent improving ourselves, our knowledge, and improving our decisions. Time well spent this fall will enhance our opportunities for next spring. Enjoy harvest where we can, and share lessons learned with your neighbors!!

-Steve McQueen, Agronomy Manager

ALPINE G22®

Wed, 23 Aug 2023 11:16:54 GMT

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHT-

The importance of ALPINE G22® for your crops-

ALPINE G22® fertilizer is a high quality, clear liquid solution that provides growers with an excellent opportunity to increase productivity, profit and nutrient efficiency. G22 enables the product to be placed directly with the seed at planting time. Placement with the seed enables the phosphorous to be taken up at the earliest stages of growth.

What makes G22® different than the other products on the market-

ALPINE G22® is locally manufactured in Belle Plaine, SK. This product has a high orthophosphate content, while most of our competitor’s products are high in polyphosphate. ALPINE G22® is a very clean filtered product that does not plug orifices on drills and seeders. Unlike most of our competitive products, it can also be stored during winter in western Canada. ALPINE G22® comes with exceptional equipment service and support from our sales managers. ALPINE G22 liquid fertilizer is readily available and gives the plant a great start even under cold soil conditions. ALPINE G22 liquid fertilizer is 70% orthophosphate – the plant available form of phosphate. ALPINE starters result in increased plant health and crop yield.

For more information, click here or contact your local ALPINE sales manager.

AgroFocus Blog Series

Fri, 04 Aug 2023 18:31:16 GMT

Roots to Reproduction

Reproduction: “the action or process of making a copy of something,” and “the production of offspring by sexual or asexual process.” ( The Oxford Languages)

Blog # 9, Roots to Reproduction , is one of the most interesting and amazing topics that I like to discover. As most people walk fields scouting for disease and insect damage, I like to add in the variables of tissue and root analysis. Plant health continues to play the most important role in crop quality and yield, and by maintaining it, we will allow plants to express their traits and amplify their genetic potential. By enhancing stress mediation through nutrient sufficiency, plants will be able to use fungicides as an added benefit in lieu of just a maintenance or recovery product.

With reproduction coming to completion across most of Canada, crop fill and maturity is the final phase. Realizing that each plant is responsible for replacing itself, the natural survival mode will always exist. Because we are looking to grow beyond this plant response, intensive management, plant knowledge, and understanding will be the key points of influence that we need to continually concentrate on.

Referring to the roots we have been gathering and sampling, there are some interesting results. First, when we applied our ALPINE Bio-K® in-furrow, we found increased root tips and elongation. These tips play different roles, from nutrient and moisture uptake and management to amplifying root anchoring to increase root penetration (Bengough G et al., 2010). Secondly, we continue to see nodulation in legumes where ALPINE MicroBolt® MoCo was included with an ALPINE in-furrow. This increased nodulation will enhance the top pod fill and strengthen these legumes to better produce the protein we are growing. We are also testing root tips and tuber set in potatoes, supporting our in-furrow ALPINE Starter Program. A third project is water management, and as we are gathering results measuring water use efficiency where we include ALPINE Bio-K in-furrow, these numbers are strengthening our understanding of the advantages of increased root tips. The attached photos give a small example of what we are measuring. ( Steve McQueen Blog #8 )

Where the “Roots to Reproduction” makes sense to me is in the root clusters. Measured by length, surface area, and tips, we have set up a base foundation that will farm water and nutrients from the soil more efficiently. Roots must “mine the soil” for nutrients by penetrating new portions of the soil profile as they grow to extract nutrients. Newly formed roots are the most efficient for nutrient uptake, supporting stress mediation from flowering and through pollination. Each time the plant requires more nutrients and water, we have developed a stronger pathway, increasing the network relationship between plant and soil. As we further understand the concept of reproduction, it is not just in the crop but also in the microbial network that plants exist with.

As we continue to learn about and measure these relationships, they will allow us to develop stronger management tools for our cropping plans. Increased pollination is the continuation of taking advantage of uniform germination and emergence. The closer we monitor reproduction, the more attentive we will become to our next year’s planting. Expanded learning and knowledge shared will lead us all to greater success. It is like reproduction itself, reproducing better ideas by building from the roots up!!

-Steve McQueen, Agronomy Manager

ALPINE CRN-B®

Thu, 27 Jul 2023 16:14:38 GMT

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHT-

The importance of ALPINE CRN-B® for your crops-

Foliar Feeding ALPINE CRN-B liquid fertilizer provides available N and B to make a good crop even better or it can supply a deficient, stressed crop the proper nutrition for a quick recovery.

What makes ALPINE CRN-B® different than the other products on the market-

ALPINE CRN-B liquid fertilizer is manufactured by utilizing the highest quality raw materials coupled with urea triazone technology to provide a very agronomically efficient source of N. Its use is suggested as a supplement to a regular, balanced nutrition program to enhance yields and improve overall quality. ALPINE CRN-B (25-0-0-0.5B) with a specific gravity of 1.22 Kg/L, enhances a deeper and more unified fungicide application into your crop. The slow release N along with Boron, supports flower and pollination during the reproductive crop stage.

For more information, click here or contact your local ALPINE sales manager.

AgroFocus Blog Series

Wed, 19 Jul 2023 15:33:01 GMT

Strategies to Perserve

Persevere: “Continue in the course of action even in the face of difficulty or with little or no prospect of success." ( The Oxford Languages)

Blog # 8 has been something that I have pondered in my mind for many years, and I am sure it is something that we all consider, the ability of plants to always persevere! As we monitor our crops throughout the summer, many of our decisions can be made by discussing the weather at the coffee shop, looking out of the shop window, or hearing the local forecasts. Continuing to build on our path of plant growth, yield, and quality, I have been walking fields, gathering tissue samples, and digging roots with our Research Assistant. These walks are great for clearing the mind but also connect me to the different stages of each crop, including variance across each field, variety, and crop type. As I strongly believe we can only manage what we can measure, the collection of information is how we can build a “Strategy to Persevere.”

Concentrating on reproduction from flowering through pollination and now on to crop fill and maturity, we must realize that plants are adapting every moment of every day. Too wet, too dry, and everything in between causes major calculations within plant cells continuously. As we look at how we will support our crops through this latter part of the season, what are some of the strategies we have at our disposal?

As stated in Blog #7, plants are very progressive and strategic, adapting quickly to biotic and abiotic stress, with their own internal strategies to persevere. But it is at this point that our crops may be looking great or just the opposite, and we step back and allow them to finish the season out on their own. With this being my 45 ^th year of growing crops, I continue to be amazed at how our crops adapt and flourish, and when watching closely will teach us so much.

One strategy is relating tissue/sap samples back to our soil samples, giving a better understanding of the importance of balanced fertility. Comparing the deficient areas in our soils, along with how the growing plants carry these same deficiencies throughout the season, is allowing us to look further into foliar opportunities and, eventually, variable rate applications.

What I have found interesting through a series of tissue samples is that strong and healthy-looking plants still have many different deficiencies. Corn shows P, K, Mg, and Zn, while soybeans show N, P, Mg, B, and Cu. I have attached the tissue samples along with photos of how healthy the crop looks. This, to me, is the hidden hunger that we can only manage if we realize it exists. Knowing we will be through many of our crops with later crop protection passes, we can develop a strategic plan to enhance the plant's potential with a balanced foliar program.

Referring to the roots we have been gathering and sampling, there are some interesting results. First, when we applied our ALPINE Bio-K in-furrow, we found increased root tips and elongation. These tips play different roles, from nutrient and moisture uptake and management to amplifying root anchoring to increase root penetration (Glyn Bengough, B.M. McKenzie, P.D. Hallett, and T.A. Valentine). Secondly, we continue to see nodulation in legumes where ALPINE MicroBolt MoCo was included with an ALPINE in-furrow. This increased nodulation will enhance the top pod fill and strengthen these legumes to better produce the protein we are growing. We are also testing root tips and tuber set in potatoes, supporting our in-furrow ALPINE Starter Program. A third project is water management, and as we are gathering results measuring water use efficiency where we include ALPINE Bio-K in-furrow, these numbers are strengthening our understanding of the advantages of increased root tips. The attached photos give a small sample, and there will be more root-to-shoot discussions in upcoming blogs.

As I wrap up, I hope I have created an awareness around “Strategies to Persevere,” knowing that your crops depend on you to enhance the potential that they are initiating. Spend some time ground truthing, along with a few tissue/sap samples, because what you think you see may be an illusion.

-Steve McQueen, Agronomy Manager

Soybeans Deficient in N, S, P, Mg, B & Cu

Corn Deficient in P, K, Mg & Zn

ALPINE K24®

Wed, 19 Jul 2023 15:23:14 GMT

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHT-

The importance of ALPINE K24® for your crops-

Potassium interacts with all nutrients used by the plants, first is the interaction with nitrogen, and next is the reaction with P. Potassium can increase the uptake of zinc provided there is sufficient sulfur. The K/Mg and K/Ca ratios are important factors, showing the importance of a balanced fertility program.

ALPINE K24 is uniquely formulated to maximize foliar uptake of potassium. The organic based carrier in ALPINE K24 is a natural plant metabolite, recognized by plants as a preferred food source. It is essential to the production of many plant compounds such as fatty acids, auxins and amino acids, enhancing the plants ability to utilize your fertility program.

What makes ALPINE K24® different than the other products on the market-

Provides safe application reducing plant stress
Superior source of K
High analysis
Non caustic or corrosive
Low salt index
High solubility

For more information, click here or contact your local ALPINE sales manager.

AgroFocus Blog Series

Wed, 19 Jul 2023 15:18:44 GMT

Plants Are Very Coachable

Coachable: capable of being easily taught and trained to do something better. ( The Britannica Dictionary )

When I started to develop my thoughts around blog # 7, I wanted to build on our path of growth, both with plants as well as with us. Reflecting on the topic from Blog # 6 of a quadrathlon and the four disciplines it involved brought me to what it takes to create success.

Knowing that plant establishment and early vegetation stages are behind us, we are concentrating on reproduction from flowering through pollination and then on to crop fill and maturity. As we look at how we will manage these next two processes, I reflected on how an athlete becomes successful and what develops progressive and strategic growers. Coachability and mentorship were the first things that surfaced in my mind.

For each of us to continually improve, we must have a written plan and remain open to change, along with the willingness to build our knowledge and experience. Being open to new concepts and ideas will allow us to grow and expand our thinking processes. This is where a mentor, coach, or accountability partner can support our growth.

So, how does this relate to plants and the crops that we are growing, and is the concept of coaching our plants through the season even have any merit? To that end, I would like you to consider the influence that you have on your crops, along with how they develop throughout the season. Like how we develop and grow, that is exactly what we want to achieve with our crops.

From the minute we place the seeds or plants in the ground internally, they each have a written plan to develop and grow a seed for their replacement. Plants grow and adapt, learning from their environment every day. Plants are very open to change and are very progressive and strategic as they navigate through the season. Adaptation to abiotic and biotic stresses is how they exist and flourish in nature because they exist within nature. If we can understand our role as a coach, we will develop a strategy that amplifies the processes that the plant initiates, allowing for greater success throughout the season.

As mentioned in my last blog, reproduction is happening quickly, and we need to coach through flower set and development, supporting plant health for improved pollination and seed/fruit set. This crucial timing passes very quickly and takes attention to detail for us to make corrections on the fly. By looking at this third discipline through the eyes of a coach, we will understand what is taking place within the plant and understand the requirements of the plant to develop success.

At ALPINE, we continue to develop new products that will support plant requirements, enhancing metabolism and energy and allowing plants to achieve their genetic potential. Our patented ALPINE Bio-K has been designed as one of the most effective coachable choices for your plants. By increasing nutrient uptake and root exudation, we strengthen the relationship between plants and soil. This increased connection enhances microbial communication, nutrient availability, and water management as well. These benefits synergize your crops to take advantage of your total cropping plan, Maximizing Fertilizer Efficiency throughout the complete season.

In wrapping up this blog around “Plants Are Very Coachable,” I want to encourage everyone to continue ground truthing and spend time understanding the value of manganese and boron, along with calcium and magnesium, when we are looking to enhance metabolism and pollination. I also encourage you to reach out to your ALPINE Dealer and DSM network to better understand why to include ALPINE Bio-K, enhancing your plants’ potassium while Maximizing Fertilizer Efficiency across your farm!! ( Steve McQueen Blog #6 )

Plant Establishment, Early Vegetation, Reproduction, and Crop Fill through Maturity all lead to increased plant health and yield. Remember, plants are rooted and can not move. To better understand how to coach them, you must walk amongst them!

-Steve McQueen, Agronomy Manager

ALPINE K20-S®

Mon, 26 Jun 2023 15:31:00 GMT

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHT-

The importance of ALPINE K20-S® for your crops-

ALPINE K20-S has been designed to enhance crop health and metabolism throughout the reproductive growth stage. The benefits of adding ALPINE K20-S ® in a foliar program start with an increase in a plant’s chlorophyll synthesis. This readily available potassium source, Bio-K, results in leaves turning a darker green due to the increase in photosynthetic activity. ALPINE K20-S stimulates extra root growth; in turn, the root hairs excrete excess sugars, which stimulates the microbial colonies.

What makes ALPINE K20-S® different than the other products on the market-

ALPINE K20-S is powered by our ALPINE Bio-K ® , a unique potassium technology that maximizes foliar uptake. ALPINE K20-S has been designed to enhance crop health and metabolism throughout the reproductive growth stage. The organic-based carrier in ALPINE Bio-K is a natural plant metabolite recognized by plants and microbials as a preferred food source.

For more information, click here or contact your local ALPINE sales manager.

AgroFocus Blog Series

Tue, 20 Jun 2023 12:39:00 GMT

A Plants Quadrathlon

A Quadrathlon is an endurance sports event composed of four individual disciplines. All four disciplines are completed in succession, and the lowest overall time decides the winner. The events in order are swimming, biking, kayaking, and running. (Wikipedia)

As I look back on my past five blogs, I realize how quickly seasons pass, and while side-dressing nitrogen and spraying plots the past few days, it became evident that our crops are competing against time. Comparing a growing season to a quadrathlon seemed to represent what we are all witnessing, knowing that at certain times within each growing season, there are cycles where we can influence our crops.

When comparing cropping to a sports quadrathlon, we need to consider four disciples to influence and monitor for success. We also need to understand the plant must endure each of these events and, with properly balanced support, become more substantial as the year advances.

First is plant establishment , followed by the early vegetation stages. In many cases, this is where we are and what we support with our in-crop fertility and crop protection programs. We must pay close attention to what we see and document our findings, as we can not fix crop establishment now, but learn what we must address before next year.

With the two steps quickly falling behind us, we must focus on the disciplines that can still be managed. Reproduction from flowering through pollination and then on to crop fill and maturity . With both these events approaching quickly, we need to monitor flower sets, development, and plant health for improved pollination and seed/fruit set. This crucial timing passes very rapidly and takes attention to detail for us to make corrections on the fly. Tissue /sap samples become critical at this stage to ensure we understand our crops requirements, matching nutrient deficiencies with products that will benefit health and efficiency, empowering our crops while maximizing yield potential.

When matching nutrients to your deficiencies, you will want to consider a balanced approach, including nutrients that synergize with each other. A carrier product that will create added value is where ALPINE Bio-K products are set apart. With the added value of potassium acetate, this highly soluble source of K has a point of deliquescence, allowing it to stay in the solution above 23% humidity. Being a plant metabolite, ALPINE Bio-K increases the metabolism of your crop, improving the uptake of the micronutrients required. To ensure we manage our resources to the best of our abilities, ALPINE has developed a line of foliar products to Maximize Fertilizer Efficiency . (Steve McQueen Blog #5)

In wrapping up this blog around “A Plants’ Quadrathlon,” I want to encourage everyone to continue ground truthing and spend time understanding the value of manganese and boron, along with calcium and magnesium, when we are looking to enhance metabolism and pollination. I also encourage you to reach out to your ALPINE Dealer and DSM network to understand better why to include ALPINE Bio-K , improving your plants’ potassium while Maximizing Fertilizer Efficiency across your farm!

Plant Establishment, Early Vegetation, Reproduction, and Crop Fill through Maturity increase plant health and yield. How will you enhance the opportunity for your crop success?

-Steve McQueen, Agronomy Manager

Click on the images to view them.

ALPINE MicroBolt® B

Tue, 13 Jun 2023 18:49:00 GMT

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHT-

The importance of ALPINE MicroBolt® B for your crops-

Boron is vital to the growth and development of plants and enhancing new growth. It is necessary for pollination and throughout the seed production stage. Boron is essential for maintaining a balance between sugars and starches. The balance of Potassium and Boron is crucial for plant health.

What makes ALPINE MicroBolt® B different than the other products on the market-

ALPINE MicroBolt B is Boric Acid with an analysis of 0-0-0-10% B. It is plant available and readily available for plant uptake.

MicroBolt B micronutrient delivers:

AgroFocus Blog Series

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 17:27:00 GMT

Foliar Management

“Maximizing yield potential is all about providing soluble nutrient sources through contact with the plant during critical periods of growth, or in other words, empowering the crop ” Jay Castleman, NACHURS RSM US East.

With planting down to a few specialty crops across Canada, our focus is being redirected to build upon the foundation created by our “at planting” fertilizer programs!

As I reflect on my first blog and how important ground truthing is to our decision-making, I want to emphasize the importance of understanding the stages of your crops, plant uniformity, and health. As the headliner refers to your “at planting” fertilizer program, we may underestimate how a solid in-furrow phosphorous starter amplifies your foliar program.

To further clarify the concept of setting plants up for success, the root photos taken from our plots show how a plant searching for phosphorous has fewer fibrous roots leading to fewer tips than the plant that has access to an available source, localized in the root zone. These fibrous root masses measure a significant increase in root tips, developing an early advantage in accessing soil moisture and nutrients. So, how does this relate to enhancing a foliar application?

With tissue or sap samples, we will now look at matching nutrient deficiencies with products that benefit health and efficiency. Referring to Jay’s statement, we want to empower our crops while maximizing yield potential. To empower our crops, we must better understand each point of influence and be prepared to apply nutrients that will amplify what the plant is naturally trying to accomplish in a timely fashion.

When matching nutrients to your deficiencies, you will want to make sure that you consider a balanced approach, including nutrients that synergize with each other. A carrier product that will create added value is where ALPINE Bio-K products are set apart. With the added value of potassium acetate, this highly soluble source of K, with a point of deliquescence, allows it to stay in the solution above 23% humidity. Being a plant metabolite, ALPINE Bio-K increases the metabolism of your crop, improving the uptake of the micronutrients required. To ensure we manage our resources to the best of our abilities, ALPINE has developed a line of foliar products to Maximize Fertilizer Efficiency .

As I wrap up, I need to refer to my statement, “So, how does this relate to enhancing a foliar application?” made earlier in the post. Foliar applications of plant nutrients are directed at plants and therefore are very efficient. Plants respond quickly to the nutrients applied, and as roots do not feed themselves, many foliar-applied nutrients are transferred to the root zone. The influx of nutrients to the root zone will increase exudates along with developing root growth, elongating each root tip. If a plant rises 50-75% more tips, it will have a much better opportunity to improve root-to-soil contact, increasing the uptake of available soil fertility. The nutrients retrieved from the soil will then quickly return to the plant and overcome the deficiency.

Let’s consider our foliar application as both a nutrient boost and a plant signal. We will improve our decision-making ability by better understanding how we utilize our entire cropping plan from Start2Finish .

-Steve McQueen, Agronomy Manager

Click on the images to view them.

ALPINE MicroBolt® Mn

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 15:54:00 GMT

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHT-

The importance of ALPINE MicroBolt® Mn for your crops-

ALPINE MicroBolt® Mn micronutrient is manufactured by utilizing the highest quality raw materials to provide a very agronomically efficient source of plant-available Manganese. Manganese is easily oxidized in the soil, making a foliar application more relevant. Manganese assists iron in chlorophyll production. Mn is key to lignin-building qualities in the leaf and strengthened cuticles. Mn is critical in preventing lodging and diseases.

What makes ALPINE MicroBolt® Mn different than the other products on the market-

ALPINE MicroBolt ® Mn is EDTA Chelated to enhance foliar uptake. MicroBolt Mn with analysis 0-0-10-6 Mn has a strong potassium companion that increases nutrient uptake and management within the plant to overcome deficiencies. ALPINE MicroBolt Mn blends well with ALPINE Bio-K Foliar products for increased nutrient efficiencies.

For more information, click here or contact your local ALPINE sales manager.

AgroFocus Blog Series

Mon, 22 May 2023 08:00:00 GMT

Crop Establishment

As farm equipment has taken over the fields of rural Canada, spring seeding is well underway. From Peace River Country’s grain fields to Atlantic Canada’s potato hills, seeds have been carefully placed in our soils. Through strong grower management and the accuracy of precision equipment, we positioned our seeds and balanced fertility to provide the best opportunity for crop success. Looking to initiate good emergence, early plant vigor, and uniformity, we continue to monitor moisture and weather factors, making the needed adjustments throughout the days.

Having completed the exhausting task of competing against time and weather, we must turn our focus from crop establishment to the management of early vegetation. During this next opportunity of influence, we will concentrate on building plant structure and plant health through increased plant energy. This is also an opportunity to ground truth the success of our planting and our fertility placement programs, ensuring we have provided the best chance for our seeds to reach the genetic potential wrapped up inside.

In my last blog, I discussed Cations with a concentration on K and Mg to better understand their interactions and how they affect soil structure, pH, microbial activity, and plant nutrient efficiencies and growth. With potassium playing a considerable role in nutrient and water management, I want to draw more attention to maintaining our K levels as we strengthen early vegetation opportunities.

While concentrating on building plant structure and health through increased plant energy, ALPINE has developed a foliar line to amplify your plant’s energy potential. Our ALPINE Bio-K line, including ALPINE F18 Max, has been strategically designed to support your crops through the early vegetation cycle. Aided by orthophosphate and our patented potassium acetate to increase plant energy, ALPINE F18 Max™

is accompanied by fulvic acid and chelated micronutrients Zn, Mn, Cu & B. This uniquely balanced foliar product with low use rates that have a proven record for increasing ROI in many crops.

I have included photos of ALPINE F18 Max utilized this spring in winter wheat and tissue samples supporting plant uptake. With our goal to set up your crop for tremendous success, Maximizing Fertilizer Efficiency from Start2Finish will continue to be emphasized as we expand our knowledge throughout 2023.

Trust that you stay safe as we stretch the boundaries of our management thinking, expanding the boundaries of tremendous yield success.

-Steve McQueen, Agronomy Manager

Click on the images to view them.

ALPINE K20-S®

Mon, 15 May 2023 15:46:00 GMT

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHT-

The importance of ALPINE K20-S® for your crops-

The benefits of adding ALPINE K20-S ® in a foliar program start with an increase in a plant’s chlorophyll synthesis. This readily available potassium source, Bio-K, results in leaves turning a darker green due to the increase in photosynthetic activity. ALPINE K20-S stimulates extra root growth; in turn, the root hairs excrete excess sugars, which stimulates the microbial colonies.

What makes ALPINE K20-S® different than the other products on the market-

ALPINE K20-S is powered by our ALPINE Bio-K ® , a unique potassium technology that maximizes foliar uptake. The organic-based carrier in ALPINE Bio-K is a natural plant metabolite recognized by plants and microbials as a preferred food source.

For more information, click here or contact your local ALPINE sales manager.

AgroFocus Blog Series

Mon, 08 May 2023 18:26:00 GMT

Cations K & Mg

As spring seeding begins across Canada in many areas, I have been walking alfalfa and winter wheat fields, gaining knowledge and experience as they progress. Continuing my passion for soils and plants, I am sampling soil for fertility and microbiology activity while gathering plant tissues and SAP analysis to benchmark how efficiently our crop plan is utilized. It is also essential to know that every test I will be looking at will be affected by Cations.

As we look at Cations K, Mg, Ca, H, Na, and NH4, we need to understand their interactions and how they affect soil structure, pH, microbial activity, and plant nutrient efficiencies and growth. Plants and microbial survival are the same for you and me, first needing oxygen, second water, and then food and shelter. With Ca maintaining oxygen and Mg water, a balance is required. Hence, maintaining balanced fertility throughout the year is critical to our success. This is something too grand to cover in a blog, but we can at least consider a few talking points and address some of the questions I have been asked.

My last blog discussed the potassium source that powers our ALPINE G241-S and ALPINE Bio-K! This patented form of potassium acetate sets a new standard in plant available “K,” As I look across numerous tissue and soil samples, “K” deficiency continues to bubble up. With potassium playing a massive role in nutrient and water management within our plants, we must pay close attention to maintaining K levels. Starting with planting and a second application of nitrogen to winter wheat or with your initial application on all crops, it is an excellent time to include potassium to enhance nutrient efficiency.

With ALPINE having over 50 years of liquid phosphorous expertise, we have expanded our potassium offering, developing ALPINE K19-S to meet many of the application opportunities we mentioned. Applying balanced nutrition at each point of influence, ALPINE K19-S shows its flexibility in many ways. Across Western Canada, a blend of ALPINE G22 + ALPINE K19-S allows Growers an in-furrow option for potassium management. When blending with UAN and UAN + ATS, ALPINE K19-S enhances nitrogen use efficiency, increasing nitrogen uptake. Whether nitrogen is streamed, side-dressed, or y-dropped, this is an ideal time to balance N, K, S, and even Boron, per your soil and tissue requirements. It is also an excellent opportunity to look at your Mg levels, as it is responsible for nitrogen management and the center of chlorophyll.

Having looked at several soil and tissue samples this week, we have addressed some fields by including ALPINE MicroBolt Mg with nitrogen applications. As we gather more information, I will share it in future Blogs. I have also attached a few tissue samples taken this week to show where the numbers are at. In 2022, I foliar applied ALPINE MicroBolt Mg and ALPINE K20-S with a drone to experiment with efficacy and will expand this application over the next two weeks. With our true goal being to set up your crop for tremendous success, Maximizing Fertilizer Efficiency from Start2Finish will continue to be emphasized.

To continue our learning experiences, I have added tissue samples representing plots we will continue sharing information from throughout the year. Trust you have a fabulous May, and looking forward to gaining knowledge together.

-Steve McQueen, Agronomy Manager

Click on the images to view them.

ALPINE F18 Max™

Mon, 01 May 2023 20:27:00 GMT

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHT-

ALPINE F18 Max™ is a new and improved foliar nutritional product comprised of essential plant nutrients, fully chelated micronutrients, surfactants, compatibility agents, organic acids, as well as Bio-K®. Applying ALPINE F18 Max at herbicide timing enables your crop to mediate the stress of crop protection. By enhancing plant metabolism, crops will recover quickly to be able to amplify their genetic potential.

ALPINE F18 Max™ is manufactured with the highest quality raw materials on the market today, which, once absorbed by the plant, helps to promote a healthier plant and root system and ultimately helps to improve crop productivity. ALPINE F18 Max is powered by Bio-K, the most soluble source of potassium in the industry. F18 Max is ammonia free with a low point of deliquescence. This product balanced essential N, P, and K with chelated micronutrients, well adapted to all cropping management systems.

For more information, click here or contact your local ALPINE sales manager.

AgroFocus Blog Series

Mon, 24 Apr 2023 16:30:00 GMT

ALPINE G241-S

In keeping with my passion for soils and plants and a few of the challenges from the first ALPINE Blog, I felt compelled to continue with balanced fertility as we discuss the features and strengths of ALPINE G241-S. Introduced several seasons ago, ALPINE G241-S brings so many attributes to your starter program, developing a quick and uniform start and enhancing our yield potential at that first point of influence, germination .

To differentiate ALPINE G241-S and create a stronger understanding of its value, one must consider how it meets so many requirements for your seeds. First, we know that plants can only take up nutrients that are in solution. Next, we understand that plants use phosphate in the form of orthophosphate. We also know the importance of increased microbial activity to enhance germination and convert nutrients in the soil to plant-available forms. From a balanced fertility standpoint, there is greater phosphorous efficiency when N, P, and K are accompanied in a blend, and a lower seed-safe salt index would be beneficial.

Now, if your seed had a chance to order a starter program, why would ALPINE G241-S be an obvious choice? For starters, ALPINE G241-S is a balanced N-P-K liquid starter, filling the solubility requirement very well. Secondly, it is 80% orthophosphate, available immediately for plant uptake. With a neutral pH and a low salt index, it can be placed in-furrow with the seed, increasing early root interception, key for phosphorous uptake. Having a sulfur component to synergize the effectiveness of the balanced nutrients strongly positions ALPINE G241-S in the marketplace. BUT the key to differentiation is in the “K”!!

The potassium source that powers ALPINE G241-S is our ALPINE Bio-K, potassium acetate. This patented form of potassium sets a new standard in plant available “K.” It is the most soluble form of potassium, with a very low salt index. Having a small molecular structure amplifies plant uptake, creating maximum fertilizer efficiency. Along with this potassium source is the acetate component, which develops an abundance of plant and soil synergies for greater success. As a quick overview, upon immediate uptake by the seedlings, plant cells quickly respond to the acetate, increasing the metabolism to increase nutrient uptake and efficiencies. The ALPINE Bio-K is also a food source for microbials and will assist with increasing microbial activity. And with this increased activity and early germination and root growth, we can take advantage of your total crop plan, whether it be broadcasted, strip-till, or 2×2 dry, as well as manure and compost applications. Our true goal is to set up your crop for greater success, Maximizing Fertilizer Efficiency from Start2Finish .

To include some learning experiences, I have added ground truth photos, including roots prepared for scan images I promised. Please look; I will further discuss our ALPINE Bio-K and root scan results in our continuing blogs.

-Steve McQueen, Agronomy Manager

ALPINE G241-S®

Tue, 18 Apr 2023 20:48:00 GMT

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHT-

The importance of ALPINE G241-S® for your crops-

ALPINE G241-S® is a premium NPK starter with sulfur and Bio-K. You can expect quicker germination, enhanced root development, and elevated abiotic stress tolerance.

What makes ALPINE G241-S® different than the other products on the market-

ALPINE G241-S® is designed and manufactured for the Ontario marketplace. ALPINE G241-S® contains Bio-K®, a unique natural plant metabolite that enables plants to uptake and use potash more efficiently. It has a neutral pH for phosphorus availability and a low salt index for seed safety. With the reduction of sulfur emissions in the atmosphere, sulfur availability is often lacking in early-growth states and cold soils due to the limited activity of soil microbes to mineralize soil sources. Having an additional supply available to the plant with the ALPINE G241-S™helps bridge the requirement until the soil warms up.

For more information, click here or contact your local ALPINE sales manager.

AgroFocus Blog Series

Wed, 12 Apr 2023 19:06:00 GMT

Ground Truth

With the warming sun of spring comes the budding of new life as it unfolds across our Canadian landscape. How quickly do snow-covered alfalfa, winter wheat, canola, and rye crops pick up where they left off in the fall? If you take one glance and then look away, you will miss the wonderment that is taking place before your eyes.

A passion for soils and plants can only be appreciated with mud on your boots as you ground truth your fields. The mystery beneath the crop is full of secrets yet valuable information to assist with tremendous crop success. With shovel in hand, it is time to evaluate plant and soil health, supporting and verifying your cropping plans.

With this first blog comes a challenge: better understanding the difference between applying fertilizer or balancing fertility needs for the crop. Are we estimating yields and using removal rates, or are we monitoring our crop progression and strategically managing fertility to enhance crop growth? What strategy do we have with only a few opportunities to influence these crops?

The photos that accompany this blog were taken on April 10 ^th , walking across this winter wheat field, investigating a benchmark for how we can amplify this crop’s success. With different ALPINE fall fertility programs and micronutrient applications, I want to gain knowledge for this crop and future years. One can better understand how the fall fertility decisions have paid off by retrieving plants and roots.

As this is just one snapshot, I look forward to sharing more information on how ALPINE Bio-K can make a difference. From root scans measuring root tips to tissue analysis monitoring nutrient balance and an opportunity to measure microbial activity.

Understanding that we can only manage what we can measure, what actions have you taken or planned to take this month? Have you walked your fields, measured the temperature, dug up some roots, and even washed them off? Does the color of your crops look the same on your knees as it does driving by, and is the plant stands as even as expected?

These are all learning experiences that ground truth will provide to build your knowledge for more informed decisions. Please take a walk, and see that plants and roots have a story to tell and will respond to your attention to detail. And in my next blog, I will reveal some root scan results and measuring tips for your success as we Maximize Fertilizer Efficiency together.

-Steve McQueen, Agronomy Manager

ALPINE G22®

Thu, 30 Mar 2023 18:54:00 GMT

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHT-

The importance of ALPINE G22® for your crops-

ALPINE G22® helps crops get off to a fast start with quicker emergence and a more extensive root system. This is especially important in western Canada, where the growing season is short.

What makes G22® different than the other products on the market-

For more information, click here or contact your local ALPINE sales manager.

ALPINE® BRAND CELEBRATING ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY IN 2023.

Thu, 02 Mar 2023 15:52:00 GMT

The post ALPINE® BRAND CELEBRATING ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY IN 2023. appeared first on ALPINE® Liquid Fertilizer.

New Hamburg Press Release

Tue, 20 Dec 2022 18:13:00 GMT

NEW HAMBURG, ON – December 19, 2022 -Nachurs Alpine Solutions just announced a major project to streamline its operations at their New Hamburg manufacturing facility.

The Canadian fertilizer ALPINE® brand products are produced at this facility for all of Ontario and beyond. To streamline operations, the Neville Street location will be sold, and a new office and parts department will be built on their Nafzinger Road property. We feel that moving all operations to one location will improve customer service, create streamlined efficiencies, and reduce lag time for customers.

Construction for this expansion is slated to begin in the first quarter of 2023 with a projected completion date by the end of 2023.

ALPINE ® the leading manufacturer of liquid fertilizers in Canada and will be celebrating their 50th anniversary in 2023. It is best known for its in-furrow starters, foliar fertilizers, and chelated micronutrients. It recently released a new generation of products containing their patented Bio-K® potassium technology.

The ALPINE Difference: Nutrient Solubility

Wed, 28 Sep 2022 18:37:00 GMT

Just like how not all foods have the same taste or nutrient composition, not all potassium is the same. When discussing fertilizers within the same nutrient element group, potassium fertilizers(commonly known as potash) have a wide range of nutrient availability, molecular weight, water solubility, and plant uptake capacity. Not all potash is created equal.

ALPINE Bio-K is a potassium acetate-based plant nutrient that is the most soluble, available, and efficient form of potassium fertilizer on the market today. With the current focus centered around nutrient efficiency, product sustainability, and environmental stewardship, ALPINE Bio-K checks all those boxes while increasing crop yield.

Video demonstration below-

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About the Wilbur-Ellis Companies
Founded in 1921, the Wilbur-Ellis companies are leading international marketers, distributors and manufacturers of agricultural products, animal nutrients, and specialty chemicals and ingredients. By developing strong relationships, making strategic market investments, and capitalizing on new opportunities, the Wilbur-Ellis companies have continued to grow the business with sales of over $3 billion. For more information, please visit www.wilburellis.com

About Nachurs Alpine Solutions ®
Nachurs Alpine Solutions (NAS) became a division of Wilbur-Ellis in 2019. NAS is a 73-year-old specialty chemical business that pioneered the low salt liquid starter fertilizer industry by introducing the first true solution liquid NPK fertilizer. Today, NPK liquid fertilizers sold by NAS are marketed under the NACHURS brand in the United States and under the ALPINE brand in Canada. For more information visit www.nachurs-alpine.com

The post The ALPINE Difference: Nutrient Solubility appeared first on ALPINE® Liquid Fertilizer .

PTI Days 2022: NACHURS & Precision Planting teamed up for an exclusive event

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Tue, 20 Sep 2022 14:52:21 GMT

August 2022- Precision Planting® hosted an event dedicated to NACHURS® dealers and growers to show the latest results for NACHURS products at the Precision Technology Institute (PTI) Farm in Pontiac, Illinois. This partnered event has been hosted annually for three years. NACHURS PTI Days is a great networking and educational experience. NACHURS Sales Managers, growers, dealers, and other industry members gathered at the PTI farm over two days. During the NACHURS PTI Days, we heard from Precision Planting’s Jason Webster, who discussed the newest technology on the farm and what the PTI Farm strives to accomplish. NACHURS Vice President of Product Development & Technical Services, Tommy Roach, presented on NACHURS products, results, and application rates. Following the presentations, participants were taken on a plot tour of the PTI Farm, including a drone presentation, plot data, results, and displays of their technological advancements for farming. The plots visited included all PTI studies on crop performance and high-yield studies utilizing NACHURS liquid fertilizer products.

In previous years, NACHURS has ranked very high in the published results from Precision Planting. In 2021, NACHURS placed in three of the top ten results for Precision Planting PTI Farm including the #1 ROI trial. We are awaiting the results from the 2022 trials once harvest is complete. This event also allowed the attendees to try out the newest and most advanced technology in the agriculture industry, testing Precision Planting's newest equipment in a sandbox environment following the farm tour.

(See link for results: https://www.nachurs.com/precision-planting)

We’re grateful for our excellent attendance on both days of this event. Talk to your local NACHURS Sales Manager for additional partnered events.

To encourage best practices of precision placement of fertilizers, NACHURS and Precision Planting are teaming up once again for an equipment rebate program to deliver successful fertility programs to growers across the United States. This offers up to $10,000 in rebates to NEW Precision Planting customers.

For more information, visit the NACHURS website Precision Planting Rebate Page ( https://www.nachurs.com/precision-planting ).

Pictures below:

Commodity Classic 2022: NACHURS & XtremeAg Panel discussions

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Wed, 06 Apr 2022 21:48:36 GMT

March 2022– At this year's Commodity Classic, held in New Orleans, NACHURS & Xtreme Ag cosponsors a panel discussion to discuss the high yield results that were found from various growers in the U.S. who used NACHURS branded product on their crops. On Thursday, XtremeAg affiliated farmers Kelly Garrett (IA), Lee Lubber (SD) Chad Henderson (AL), and Tommy Roach of NACHURS participated in the panel. Friday's Panel included XtremeAg affiliated farmers Kevin Matthews (NC), Kelly Garrett (IA), and Matt Miles (AR), as well as Jason Webster of Precision Planting (PTI farm located in IL) . Both days were moderated by Damian Mason, the "Cutting the Curve" Podcast Host and Producer.

We're grateful for the wide attendance and audience questions that we had at both panels.

To hear the panel discussion, check out the links below:

Thursday: In-season Fertility

Friday: At Planting Fertility

NACHURS ALPINE SOLUTIONS LAUNCHES A NEW PRODUCT LINE

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Mon, 11 Oct 2021 17:46:08 GMT

MARION, OHIO – October 11, 2021 – Nachurs Alpine Solutions® (NAS), announced today that it has launched a new product line in their agriculture portfolio, Advanced Adjuvants.

Matt Cimino, Adjuvants Manager, will lead the introduction of the new Advanced Adjuvants brand into the marketplace. Adjuvants are increasingly becoming products of necessity for growers to increase their performance and safe application of today’s crop protection products.

Building on the foundational strengths developed over 75 years in the agricultural marketplace with NACHURS branded fertility products, Advanced Adjuvants brings that same dedication to quality, integrity and innovation that customers have grown to expect from a trusted supplier.

Advanced Adjuvants enters the marketplace with both unique proprietary adjuvants and proven industry standard adjuvant formulations to ensure maximum performance and value from both crop protection and fertility products. Our partnerships with industry leading formulators and chemists ensure a consistent stream of products to meet the ever changing environmental, stewardship and sustainability goals of today’s customer.

To learn more about NAS’ full line of adjuvant products, please contact Matt Cimino, 512-450-8090, mcimino@nachurs.com or visit the Advanced Adjuvants website at www.advancedadjuvants.com .

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About Nachurs Alpine Solutions®

Nachurs Alpine Solutions (NAS) became a division of Wilbur-Ellis in 2019. NAS is a 75-year-old specialty chemical business that pioneered the low salt liquid starter fertilizer industry by introducing the first true solution liquid NPK fertilizer. Today, NPK liquid fertilizers sold by NAS are marketed under the NACHURS brand in the United States and under the ALPINE brand in Canada. For more information visit www.nachurs-alpine.com

About the Wilbur-Ellis Companies

Founded in 1921, the Wilbur-Ellis companies are leading international marketers, distributors and manufacturers of agricultural products, animal nutrients and specialty chemicals and ingredients. By developing strong relationships, making strategic market investments and capitalizing on new opportunities. For more information, please visit www.wilburellis.com

What is 2x2 Fertilizer Placement?

phillipsj@nachurs-alpine.com (JD Nye) — Tue, 27 Apr 2021 14:28:01 GMT

2x2 fertilizer placement (also known as pop-up or starter depending on what part of the country you are from) is a great companion to in-furrow fertility, creating a type of relay effect for prolonged root feeding potential. It is also a great way to provide planter-applied fertility when in less-than-ideal environments (low OM, sandy soils, etc.) or for use in salt sensitive crops (soybean, cotton, etc.). Although technically not exactly 2” to the side and 2” below the seed, it is however a band of highly concentrated fertilizer giving the plant a needed boost of nutrition early in the growing season.

2x2 is one of the most common options for starter fertilizer placement, with the other being in-furrow. Both methods are good options and are used commonly thorough the United States, with each having their own set of strengths and weaknesses. In-furrow uses less product and requires less equipment. However, 2x2 allows for more flexibility and placement of a higher percentage of nitrogen, one of the most essential building blocks for plant growth. Most importantly, you can achieve either method with a high-quality NACHURS fertilizer to ensure your crops get the nutrients they need.

NACHURS K-Fuse (6-0-12-12S) is a great option for 2x2 starter application due to its ability to be mixed UAN solutions (4 parts UAN32 or 3 parts UAN28 to 1 part K-fuse). Powered by Bio-K® potassium acetate and high in sulfur, it is designed to work with high-nitrogen fertility programs. It not only addresses deficiencies but also improves nitrogen use efficiency. In a 2019-2020 PTI field study, adding 3 gallons of K-Fuse was shown to increase yield by an average of 3.3 bushels per acre, with an increased ROI of $32.70 per acre. A good starter fertilizer is proven to increase yield! The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

The early growth stages are the most important to ensure a healthy plant and high yields, making starter fertilizer invaluable during planting. This is especially true in cold soils where roots don’t grow as quickly. Most crop nutrients must be very near the root structure in order to be effective. This is why 2x2 fertilizer works so well, as applying nutrient in the proximity of the root system improves nutrient efficiency right from the start.

In addition to K-Fuse, NACHURS offers many product options to place high quality NPK, Micronutrient and Potassium-Sulfur treatments for 2x2 and other starter fertilizer applications. Take a look at our starter fertilizers or contact a NACHURS representative to find the best products for you.

Dicamba Dilemma

Mon, 15 Jun 2020 13:43:22 GMT

“The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issued a decision, Wednesday, June 3, 2020, vacating the registrations of three dicamba herbicides, XtendiMax (Bayer), Engenia (BASF), and FeXapan (Corteva). The ruling does not appear to include Syngenta’s Tavium dicamba herbicide.

The ruling has enormous implications for farmers this summer, given that roughly 60 million of dicamba-tolerant cotton and soybeans were slated for 2020 planting, with the expectation that farmers could use dicamba over the top for weed control.” (Unglesbee, 2020)

While the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has responded that they are disappointed with the ruling and currently assessing all avenues to mitigate the impact of the Court’s decision, farmers are looking towards other active ingredient options to utilize. Residual herbicides applied after planting are important for weed managements tools for early season weed control until crop reaches canopy. Protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO) inhibiting herbicides (Group 14) are applied widely for residual weed control in soybean. Once applied, several factors can affect weed control efficacy and crop safety.

NACHURS Finish Line® can help ease the crop safety concerns while using PPO. This fully packed foliar fertilizer contains NACHURS Bio-K as well as fulvic acid to help “cool down” a cell disruptor (like PPOs) and has the nutrition to aid in quick recovery.

For the conscientious grower who wants to maximize yield potential, NACHURS Finish Line is a micronutrient enriched premium foliar fertilizer that provides nutrients to crops at critical growth stages. Unlike other foliar fertilizers, NACHURS Finish Line is a balanced nutrition package containing organic acids, compatibility agents and is powered by Bio-K®.

NACHURS Finish Line is a truly unique balanced NPK foliar fertilizer that provides significant ROI on all crops.
Contains a package of organic acids to enhance nutrient uptake and alleviate chemical burn.
NACHURS Finish Line contains Bio-K technology, which offers the greatest level of soluble and available potassium and is taken up by the plant faster than other sources of potassium.
Contains significantly higher levels of micronutrients than competitive products which are necessary for hormone and enzyme activation essential for maximum genetic yield potential.
Micronutrients are fully chelated to ensure compatibility with pesticides and other fertilizers.
Compatibility agents make it easier to tank-mix NACHURS Finish Line with other products and aids in nutrient uptake.
Low use rate makes product convenient to use.

Help your crops reach the winner’s circle with NACHURS Finish Line .

NACHURS imPulse: Top 10 Best Management Practices of 2019

Mon, 08 Jun 2020 13:19:06 GMT

In this latest edition of Inside PTI by Precision Planting, Jason Webster speaks about the Top 10 Best Management Practices of 2019. NACHURS imPulse powered by Bio-K was ranked the best fertility option for corn when used with FurrowJet Technology. NACHURS imPulse provides quick and uniform plant emergence and improved early season plant health. It is specially formulated for corn to maximize yield potential and Return On Investment. To learn more visit: https://www.nachurs.com/impulse .

Improving Nutrient Efficiency and Finishing Strong

Mon, 01 Jun 2020 12:56:00 GMT

Foliar feeding is a very important step in providing the additional nutrition a crop needs while transitioning into the reproductive stage. This helps set the stage for pollination while promoting plant health, maximizing yield potential.

NACHURS Bio-K products offer the grower flexible treatment options with proven effectiveness that demonstrate improved crop yield and quality. NACHURS Finish Line alone has provided a 4.4 bu/ac average increase on corn across all environments and a 71.5% win rate on all crops over the last 5 years. This product is an advanced nutrient technology package offering balanced NPK, fulvic acid and compatibility agents, a high concentration of Zn and Mn in addition to B and Cu, and is powered by NACHURS Bio-K.

When pairing 1 gallon of balanced NPK such as NACHURS imPulse or NACHURS Triple Option with a quart of NACHURS Finish Line, a grower is providing the plant nutrition during periods of peak nutrient and helping with unanticipated nutrient deficiencies.

NACHURS foliar products offer excellent tank mix compatibility with many crop protection products, but always jar test for verification . By tank mixing with crop protection products a grower is improving the efficacy of his treatments and providing a buffer for chemical stress.

NACHURS nutritional products have been approved for use with the following herbicide technologies:

*Requires drift reduction agent

Engenia is a registered trademarks of BASF. Enlist One and Enlist Duo are trademarks of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow. XtendiMax is a registered trademark of Bayer Group. Engenia is a registered trademarks of BASF. FeXapan is a registered trademark of Corteva. © 2020. NACHURS ALPINE SOLUTIONS. All rights reserved.

Contact your NACHURS Sales Representative for more information.

Potassium Applications

Wed, 27 May 2020 14:46:21 GMT

In this latest video from Precision Planting’s INSIDE PTI, Jason Webster discusses the importance of potassium applications. Precision Planting has had excellent results using NACHURS K-fuse powered by Bio-K with their Conceal equipment.

The latest technologies for sidedress applications

Mon, 18 May 2020 13:15:47 GMT

Research averaged across hybrids and years has shown that corn needs only a small amount of its total nitrogen uptake prior to V6 growth stage. Nitrogen uptake (as well as potassium) begins to increase rapidly, so finding ways to improve nutrient use efficiency during this time is extremely important.

A corn plant also requires approximately 48% of its potassium between V6 and V12. Relying on moisture and diffusion to transport potassium to the root for ultimate uptake is a risky proposition at best. University trials validate that adding potassium to nitrogen solutions will improve nutrient use efficiency, improving yield response. By sidedressing with NACHURS Bio-K, corn farmers capitalize on the potassium-nitrogen synergy.

Humic acid can also enhance efficiency of sidedress nitrogen by enhancing root growth and phosphorus solubilization for greater nutrient and water uptake. It can create a biostimulant effect, promoting more vigorous, healthy plants.

NACHURS offers the latest technologies for sidedress applications:

High K Additive Bio-K Products

NACHURS K-fuse - An excellent alternative to potassium thiosulfate (KTS), NACHURS K-fuse offers the best source of premium potassium (NACHURS Bio-K), along with a boost of sulfur. NACHURS K-fuse is 3x more available in dryer soils with more nutrition supplied per acre. When applying 25 gal/ac or more of UAN the effective rate of NACHURS K-fuse is 4-5 gal/ac.

NACHURS K-flex - For growers applying 25 gal/ac or less of UAN, NACHURS K-flex provides the addition of potassium and sulfur during the critical growth stage. When applying 25 gal/ac or less of UAN NACHURS K-flex can be applied 1-1.5 gal/ac.

NEW! Humic Acid

NACHURS Humi-flex Max - The most concentrated humic acid on the market, NACHURS Hum-flex Max offers superior mixing with high K additive Bio-K products and UAN, ATS, KTS, and micronutrients. In 3rd party studies on corn NACHURS Humi-flex Max had a 87% win rate with a 14 bu/ac increase when applied with UAN.

When combining UAN + a high K additive Bio-K® product + NACHURS Humi-flex Max, you are setting your crop up for maximum yield potential. Contact your NACHURS Sales Representative for more information.

Y’all, I can’t even keep my succulent alive. Can you imagine the pressures of a farmer… responsible for acres of crops to feed and clothing an entire planet?!

Tue, 12 May 2020 15:01:08 GMT

2020 has been extremely frustrating for most of us as COVID19 has disrupted the norms of our daily lives. We have learned a lot from each other, gained a lot of new perspectives, laughed… cried. But as I look at my crispy succulent, I realize that a lot of my frustrations and concerns pale into comparison to what our farmers and ranchers are dealing with across the country. This is their livelihood, families and traditions that are at stake. So…

while you are scoffing at increasing prices of groceries a vegetable farmer is destroying his crops from lack of demand from restaurants.
while you are limited on buying your milk at the store a dairy farmer is forced to dump thousands of gallons of fresh milk into manure pits.
while you are disappointed at not being able to eat your usual Wendy’s cheeseburger a cattle farmer is suffering from what is estimated to be a predicted industry loss of 13.6 billion.
while you are missing your favorite restaurant’s homemade cut fries a potato farmer is dumping his crop.
while you are aggravated that you can’t go on your vacation with such cheap gas prices, a corn farmer suffers from ethanol plant shutdowns.
while you miss perusing the retail racks for a new outfit, a cotton farmer worries about the textile industry and exports and is forced to plant less acres.
while you realize you forgot bacon on your grocery list and have to make that extra trip a hog farmer is battling with issues of market prices being down by 50%.
while you are feeling tired of being cooped up inside many farmers are facing bankruptcy and losing everything that they’ve worked generations for.

Farmers already have so many pressures that they work against on a daily basis: choosing the right inputs and equipment, unpredictable Mother Nature, political and social issues… As a former big city girl (that still can’t manage to keep her plants alive), I have much respect for the men and women that are the backbone of this great nation. I am proud to work for a company that provides the nutrition needed to help crops thrive and make growers successful during such an unprecedented time.

Much respect to our men and women in our agriculture.

DEUTERONOMY 28:8

The LORD will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The LORD your God will bless you in the land.

Nutrient Efficiency and Smart Economics are Imperative Now More than Ever

Tue, 05 May 2020 20:39:49 GMT

It’s an understatement to say the economics and “an uncertain new normal” (whatever that means) in 2020 are not the most optimistic we’ve experienced in our lifetime. Growing season 2020 is requiring us to be prudent and more efficient with our inputs, including plant nutrition. Economics, efficiency and precision application have never been more important. 2020 is the year to be strategic and precise with our inputs. Incorporating fertility applications at specific growth stages to maximize plant uptake and nutrient use efficiency is imperative, now more than ever. Nutrition management using the 4R principles matter and work. The right source of material, applied at the right rate, at the right time and in the right place are keys to nutrient management success.

Start2Finish

In furrow

Applying a small amount of a seed safe NPK starter fertilizer in the seed furrow such as NACHURS First Down, NACHURS Triple Option or NACHURS imPulse provides a nutritious dose of plant available NPK, offering plants balanced nutrients to establish a healthy root system and get off to a healthy start. All of these products contain 100% orthophosphate and NACHURS Bio-K as the potassium source. Including key micronutrients in furrow, such as zinc and sulfur, are extremely beneficial. In furrow applications are especially profitable in cool, wet soils or no-till conditions. Improving stand establishment using in furrow fertility is the first step toward improved efficiency and increased yield potential. It is not uncommon to see an additional pair of kernel rows develop, earlier tassel emergence, and/or drier harvest moisture among producers and research trials who actively use in furrow starter programs.

2x2

If using 10-34-0 or 11-37-0 in 2x2 systems at planting, the application can become a more balanced NPK formulation by adding NACHURS K-flex into the 2x2 application. NACHURS K-flex should blended with 10-34-0 at a 4:1 ratio to provide the soil and plant environment much needed Bio-K, organic acid for plant metabolites, and sulfur.

Sidedress

If you are using 360 Y-drops, stream bars, or coulter equipment to apply UAN at sidedress, this is an ideal time to apply much needed potassium. NACHURS K-fuse powered by Bio-K can be added to UAN at a 5:1 ratio UAN to NACHURS K-fuse. NACHURS K-fuel can be added to UAN32 or UAN28 at 10:1 UAN to NACHURS K-fuel.

Foliar

It is a good practice to tissue test during the growing season and strategically apply foliar nutrition as the plants require it. After the crop is established, phase two is rapid growth then reproductive stage. Foliar nutrition applications with glyphosate, fungicides, and insecticides is an excellent opportunity to feed the plant at young, high energy use growth stages. Many herbicides and pesticide applications can “ding” the plants and stunt growth temporarily. By including 1 qt/ac of NACHURS Finish Line, you will not only help feed the plant beneficial micronutrients but you will most likely help defend the plant from taking a step backwards due to the herbicide being applied.

The third step is to give the plant the required potassium it needs as it transitions into the reproductive growth stage. Most crops are starving for K late in the season when it begins to send every available nutrient to its fruit production. We have historically focused on nitrogen and phosphate in our cropping systems. Late season K applications will help move vital nutrients when and where they are most needed. NACHURS K-Fuel or NACHURS K-flex are world class sources of K that will aid in the plant efficiency and uptake critical to target yield increases.

In this challenging crop season, let’s be more strategic and efficient in nutrient use, placement, and expenditures. Target fertility applications as the plants need it. Don’t continue doing the same old practice, while expecting a different result. Precision apply when and where fertility is needed. NACHURS has been providing producers high quality, safe, effective, and efficient plant nutrition for almost 75 years. We are here to help provide as much ROI as possible. Contact us about our new Start2Finish Program. NACHURS has 7 manufacturing plants and professional sales and agronomy staff positioned across North America.

INSIDE PTI: Starter Fertilizer Management

Thu, 09 Apr 2020 16:33:19 GMT

Are you using a liquid starter fertilizer program on your farm?

In episode 16 of INSIDE PTI by Precision Planting, Jason Webster discusses Starter Fertilizer Management.

When placed with the FurrowJet, NACHURS imPulse came on top.

COVID-19

Mon, 23 Mar 2020 17:56:06 GMT

The past several years in agriculture have been challenging with a variety of factors including weather related events, uncertainty in the market, trade conflicts, and more. 2020 is proving to be no exception to this trend with the introduction of the COVID-19 virus bringing about unprecedented uncertainty.

INCREASE YOUR ROI with NACHURS K-fuse

Tue, 17 Mar 2020 16:50:52 GMT

NACHURS K-fuse: Potassium and sulfur fertilizer specifically designed to be blended with UAN

The Problem

There is a need for additional potassium in most fertility programs due to low soil test levels caused by higher crop yields that are removing more potassium than is being replaced. Today’s high yielding crops require more sulfur than the soil can supply. In some regions, this problem has been made even worse by policies that have reduced the amount of sulfur deposited to farmland from industrial emissions.

The Proven Solution: NACHURS K-fuse

Powered by NACHURS® Bio-K® technology, NACHURS K-fuse allows for more K & S to be supplied per acre with UAN. The addition of these nutrients also increase nitrogen-use efficiency, helping maximize yield potential.

2019 Precision Planting Trials

In 2019 trial data NACHURS K-fuse at 5 gal/ac with Precision Planting Conceal™ Dual (Placement 3” from Seed Trench, 1.5” in Depth) offered net returns of $19.82/ac over the control.

Start2Finish™

Simple yet effective, profitable yet sustainable, Start2Finish™ is a comprehensive liquid fertilizer program to maximize your crop’s potential. The NACHURS® Bio-K® System for maximizing corn yields includes NACHURS K-fuse as a high potassium additive (2-5 gal/ac), and can also be used as part of a complete program for additional K&S nutrition.

Contact your local NACHURS District Sales Manager

today for more information. ASK US ABOUT:

JD Financial @ FIXED 1.9% APR* • $6,000 Exclusive Equipment Rebate*

*Restrictions apply. See a NACHURS Sales Manager for details.

NOW OFFERING JD Financial @ Fixed 1.9% APR

Tue, 10 Mar 2020 19:33:26 GMT

Increase your

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John Deere Financial is a trademark of Deere & Company.

USE THE BEST NUTRITION

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BIG ROI OPPORTUNITY

Program Date

NOW until July 31, 2021

Minimum Purchase

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NACHURS® Premium & Specialty Products

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*Restrictions Apply.

Contact your local NACHURS District Sales Manager

today for more information or fill out the form below.

NACHURS® LIQUID FERTILIZER HOSTING THE PETERSON FARM BROTHERS AT THEIR BOOTH DURING THE 2020 COMMODITY CLASSIC

Wed, 19 Feb 2020 21:31:59 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

2020 Commodity Classic is just one short week away in San Antonio. This is one of the best opportunities to spend a few days with some of the most innovative growers in agriculture. Commodity Classic is America’s largest farmer-led, farmer -focused agricultural and educational experience. This year is no exception to the continued excellence that you have come to expect.

NACHURS continues to be a proud Gold Level Sponsor and we are excited to announce that this year we will have the agriculture advocates and internet sensation “Peterson Farm Brothers” live in our booth two times daily (#1752) on both Thursday and Friday.

The NACHURS name has long been synonymous with sustainability in agriculture as well as 4R initiative early adopters. Our ever-growing Bio-K® line is a perfect example of this focus. We are proud to announce that we have now received U.S. Patents for our innovative technology.

For further information, please contact NACHURS at 800-622-4877 or stop by our booth #1752 at the show.

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NACHURS ALPINE SOLUTIONS RECEIVES PATENTS FOR POTASSIUM ACETATE TECHNOLOGY

Mon, 17 Feb 2020 15:43:48 GMT

MARION, OHIO – February 18, 2020 – Nachurs Alpine Solutions® (NAS), a division of Wilbur-Ellis, announced today that it has received two patents from the United States Patent and Trademark Office for its potassium acetate technology. This technology is a method of fertilizing an agricultural crop using an environmentally friendly and versatile high potassium-content liquid fertilizer.

Plants extract a variety of nutrients from the soil to maintain healthy growth and development. With vital nutrients becoming less plentiful in soil, it is important to provide supplemental nutrients to the crop throughout its stages of development.

Potassium is required by a growing plant to stimulate early growth, increase protein production, and activate enzyme and hormone systems within the plant. These systems impact the plant’s ability to withstand biotic and abiotic stress and improve the plant’s resistance to diseases and insects. Potassium also increases the efficiency of water use and transforms sugars to starch.

Additionally, potassium acetate results in lower phytotoxicity damage compared to other sources of potassium for liquid fertilizer products. It also may be applied in a variety of ways, including in-furrow, foliar, side-dressed, soil injected, broadcast, fertigation or other applications.

Lab tests and field trials have proven potassium acetate to be an effective and safe source of potassium for crop production. NAS potassium acetate technology is branded in the U.S. as NACHURS Bio-K® and in Canada as ALPINE K-Tech®.

To learn more about NAS’ full line of potassium acetate products, please contact us at (800) 622-4877 x233 or visit the NAS® website at www.nachurs.com or the ALPINE® website at www.alpinepfl.com.

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About the Wilbur-Ellis Companies

Founded in 1921, the Wilbur-Ellis companies are leading international marketers, distributors and manufacturers of agricultural products, animal nutrients and specialty chemicals and ingredients. By developing strong relationships, making strategic market investments and capitalizing on new opportunities, the Wilbur-Ellis companies have continued to grow the business with sales of over $3 billion. For more information, please visit www.wilburellis.com

About Nachurs Alpine Solutions®

Nachurs Alpine Solutions (NAS) became a division of Wilbur-Ellis in 2019. NAS is a 73-year-old specialty chemical business that pioneered the low salt liquid starter fertilizer industry by introducing the first true solution liquid NPK fertilizer. Today, NPK liquid fertilizers sold by NAS are marketed under the NACHURS brand in the United States and under the ALPINE brand in Canada. For more information visit www.nachurs-alpine.com

The results are in! Precision Planting® ranks NACHURS® BEST, again!

Thu, 13 Feb 2020 19:34:09 GMT

The FurrowJet® offers optimum starter placement: where seedling and crown roots can access the nutrients the best. When paired with NACHURS imPulse® liquid fertilizer, these technologies help maximize yield potential.

Contact your local NACHURS District Sales Manager today for more information. ASK US ABOUT:
JD Financial @ FIXED 1.9% APR* • $6,000 Exclusive Equipment Rebate*

*Restrictions apply. See a NACHURS Sales Manager for details.

FurrowJet® and Precision Planting® are registered trademarks of Precision Planting LLC.
© 2020. NACHURS ALPINE SOLUTIONS. All rights reserved.

Max Dietrich: An Industry Leader and Extraordinary Man

Tue, 29 Oct 2019 19:15:57 GMT

JUNE 11, 1952 - OCTOBER 14, 2019

NACHURS was very fortunate to have had Max Dietrich as an employee for a few years before his retirement. He passed away far too soon after his battle with cancer but his impact on his family, friends, coworkers, and the ag industry was truly remarkable.

Max was in agricultural sales for almost 40 years, with his Composite Business degree from Black Hills State University, Spearfish SD. He was a Certified Crop Advisor since 1997. Max worked for several hybrid seed and crop protection companies before retiring from his District Sales Manager position with NACHURS liquid fertilizers.

Most notably Max was known for his involvement in the National Sunflower Association, serving as a production coordinator and later as a chairman. The NSA states, “Max was a tireless worker and truly gave of himself to help others and the overall sunflower industry. His warm smile and laugh will be missed by all.”

Max was married to his wife, Roxie, for over 40 years and have three sons and a grandson. When he wasn’t in a field of sunflowers you could find him on a golf course or in a boat.

Much like a sunflower, Max brought a lot of smiles and happiness to everyone. He will be missed and we are grateful for the opportunity to work with such a wonderful man. Our condolences to his family.

“True friends are like bright sunflowers that never fade away, even over distance and time.”

~ Marie Williams Johnstone

Salt Index – the Bigger Picture

Mon, 14 Oct 2019 15:21:19 GMT

High rates of fertilizer placed with or near the seed when planting can cause seed burn. The reason this happens is that fertilizer materials N, P, K, S etc release salt into the soil solution surrounding the seed. Water moves from zones of low to high salt concentration (osmosis). Therefore, when the salt concentration surrounding the seed zone is high, the seed is more likely not able to access the water it needs to grow a healthy root and plant. The young plant may wilt and die from lack of water. The measure of salt index is osmotic pressure, which indicates the strength of the salt solutions in competition with plant roots for water. The various fertilizer materials have different salt indexes, which indicate the likelihood of fertilizer burn.

… The lower the salt index, the less likely a fertilizer material will cause root burn …

How is salt index measured?

Although Salt Index (SI) represents the osmotic pressure that is exerted by a fertilizer product, this is very difficult to measure. Hence the fertilizer sector came with the Sodium Nitrate reference system. Sodium Nitrate has a value of 100 and all other fertilizer components are gauged accordingly. Using the Sodium Nitrate standard, the salt index for a blended fertilizer can either be calculated or measured.

Calculation method

The SI of a blended fertilizer product is the sum of the salt Index of each component per unit of plant nutrient times the number of units of that individual component. Component values are obtained from the known or published values as shown in table 1. It is important to note that these values are referenced. The two standard ways the values are referenced are either per equal weight of material or per unit of nutrients (20 lbs) as shown in the Table 1. Some companies however also reference to a unit of volume or other factors which will vary the numbers. It is also important to note that these referenced values are based on a particular source of product and as these sources change so can the actual SI change. This can lead to discrepancies between calculated and measured salt index values of a blended fertilizer product.

Measuring method

This SI method involves taking the conductivity of a 1% fertilizer solution of the product. This value is then reported as a SI value also based on the Sodium Nitrate reference system. The results of this testing can vary significantly based on how accurate the 1% solution is measured and how the instruments are calibrated. Some also report measuring the electrical conductivity of a 0.1% solution. Any other impurities in the fertilizer that is being measure will also have an effect on the electrical conductivity of the solution that is measured. Hence the source of the product can also have an impact on this measured salt Index. Table 2 shows the wide variation that can exist in values base on differing product sources or measuring methods to obtain a given salt index.

Important factors

Was the SI calculated or measured?
What unit of measure is the salt index number referenced to?
What is the concentration of fertilizer?
What is the application rate?
What is the proximity of the fertilizer to the seed?

In summary

Not all salt index values are apples to apples comparisons. Published salt indexes are guides not absolutes. Trust in history and reputation of your supplier.

A legendary employee at Nachurs Alpine Solutions: Ole Velde

Tue, 08 Oct 2019 20:44:08 GMT

Dates of Service: 1969-2019

According to an Economic News Release from the Bureau of Labor Statistics the average tenure for employees is 3-4 years at a company. Nachurs Alpine Solutions has a long history of dedicated employees that retire after multiple decades of service. Ole Velde is one of these NAS employees, having built a career with the company for 50 years.

In the early 60s Ole Velde received his Bachelor of Science degree with a double major in Soils and Crops from South Dakota State University. Upon graduation he earned a job with the USDA as a Products Inspector for about 3 years. In the fall of 1969 he applied for the District Sales Manager position for 3 counties in Minnesota, establishing his career at NAS.

In 1972 Ole accepted a position at the Red Oak, Iowa production plant as an agronomist. In 1975 he also helped run the plant from winter to fall as a temporary plant manager, right before moving back to Minnesota to become a field Agronomist. Ole then traveled the country, becoming an expert in writing up fertilizer programs for every crop under the sun. He even had the chance to travel to Africa to look at potential market opportunities. Ole also spent another 10 years filling the role of NACHURS District Sales Manager for a few states.

After dedicating several decades of service as an agronomist and sales manager, Ole semi-retired to a part time position in 2008, focusing on supporting NACHURS Sales staff in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Over another decade later Ole finally decided to “retire” from his legendary career on October 4th, 2019. His retirement plans include consulting for one of NACHURS Authorized Dealers, Northern Valley Fertilizer located in Manvel, ND.

Ole looks forward to spending more time with his wife Sally, 4 kids, 10 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren. He enjoys his family time and attending his grandchildren’s sports. He has also enjoyed staying in Arizona in the winter months.

One may ask why someone would stay so long with a company. Ole said he has seen a lot of changes with the company in his 50 years but two things have never changed: NACHURS sells the best quality products on the market and his belief in such outstanding people.

Ole is best known for his patience, kind nature, knowledge of Agronomy, and confidence in the products and people of NAS. He is also known for his love of Cherry Coke, because “it makes him still feel great the next day”.

We will miss working with Ole but thank him for his valued contributions to the company after 5 full decades of service. It’s been our pleasure working with him and wish him a relaxing and happy retirement.

Introducing Start2Finish™

Mon, 30 Sep 2019 12:40:18 GMT

The new NACHURS® Bio-K® system that will boost your crops to reach their maximum potential.

Generations of America’s Farmers have used NACHURS® liquid fertilizers because it is a quality brand they can trust. NACHURS® Bio-K® products offer the latest technology advancements farmers need to take their crops to the next level. The Bio-K product line offers a variety of flexible application methods including in-furrow, banded, fertigation, strip-till/sidedress, and foliar.

Back to Basics: In-furrow starters

Why are farmers using in-furrow starters? Farmers count on starter liquid fertilizer for quick, even emergence to help set maximum yield potential through precision placement. Seed is placed in the ground with many variables working against it including cold, wet soils. A soil test in NOT required to use NACHURS liquid fertilizers to give crops the nutrient boost they need for a healthy root system.

Why do farmers choose NACHURS In-furrow starters as their BEST option?

When used at recommended rates, NACHURS products are seed safe and offer balanced NPK nutrition. NACHURS products are low salt, non-corrosive, and clean offering many benefits to both the farmer and their crops.

The NACHURS Bio-K Story

The Problem: An alarming trend of declining potassium levels and lack of availability at key demand times.

The Result: With the combination of higher yields, newer genetics, production practices, and decreasing potassium levels in your soil, farmers are jeopardizing stalk quality, plant health and stress tolerance which negatively affects yield potential, decreases harvest efficiency and profitability.

The Solution: NACHURS innovative potassium technology Bio-K will address these costly issues. NACHURS Bio-K is a proven technology that is more efficient and readily taken up by the plant more than any other potassium source in the market today.

The Benefits: Farmer benefits of using NACHURS Bio-K include: increased yields, multiple application methods, non-corrosive to equipment, mixability with crop protection products, and product flexibility.

Start2Finish: The NACHURS® Bio-K® System for Maximizing Yields

Start2Finish™ is the new NACHURS® Bio-K® system that will boost your crops to reach their maximum potential. Simple yet effective, profitable yet sustainable, Start2Finish™ is the best season-long liquid fertilizer application program that is flexible for all crops. There are currently seven crops in this program: Alfalfa, corn, cotton, soybeans, potatoes, sunflowers, and wheat. More crop programs are currently in development.

For information on the latest Start2Finish™ crop programs, visit www.nachurs.com/start2finish or contact a NACHURS Representative.

NACHURS & Precision Planting Field Day

Wed, 28 Aug 2019 13:53:05 GMT

Precision Technology Institute | Pontiac, IL

On August 7, 2019 growers attended the NACHURS® & Precision Planting® Field Day at the Precision Technology Institute. Growers learned about the total liquid program utilizing precision placement with FurrowJet and NACHURS Bio-K products.

Visit www.nachurs.com/precision-planting for more information.

Making good crops great with NACHURS Finish Line

Thu, 22 Aug 2019 12:44:35 GMT

You’ve got a good lookin’ crop so far. How do you take your crop to that next yield level? With a quart of NACHURS Finish Line. Our micronutrient-enriched premium foliar product provides a proven investment to help maximize yield and increase profitability on all crops.

Why not add a shot of nutrients along with your crop protection?* This boost of plant available orthophosphate, fully chelated micronutrients, surfactants, compatibility agents, organic acids, and NACHURS® Bio-K® is what your crop needs for a healthier, more robust root system for improved crop productivity.

Just in from Missouri!

Brian Strider, NACHURS DSM from Missouri, shares NDVI images of corn and soybean fields that have applications of NACHURS Finish Line.

For more information visit www.nachurs.com/finish-line or contact your NACHURS Rep or Dealer.

*Contact a NACHURS representative for specific recommendations. It is always recommended that a jar test be done when adding to other fertilizer or chemicals. Always read and follow the pesticide labels when considering tank mixing pesticides with fertilizer products.

#FarmStateOfMind

Tue, 09 Jul 2019 14:14:33 GMT

Growers across the country are battling many challenges this season which has created a rise in mental health issues. Bayer has recently launched a campaign offering the resources and tools available to farmers dealing with health issues such as stress, anxiety, and depression.

You are not alone. Visit Bayer’s website for a list of resources, tips and tools HERE .

Article Source- AgriMarketing.com

Aqua-Tech®: Fertigate with Confidence®

Mon, 01 Jul 2019 18:38:33 GMT

It is well known that phosphorus is essential for seedling vigor. We know early season applications of P will set the trajectory for greater yield and speed maturity of the crop when applied in-furrow.

But did you know that most crops take up greater quantities of phosphorus after rapid vegetative growth is over? For most crops 70% of phosphorus uptake occurs during pollination and grain/fruit development.

Typical farming practices apply all of the phosphorus early in the season. As time passes, phosphorus binds in the soil and becomes less available. Therefore, applications of phosphorus just before or at the beginning of grain/fruit development can be extremely beneficial. Applying NACHURS Aqua-Tech 7-20-4 is the best way to apply this needed phosphorus in irrigated situations:

Last year in northwest Kansas one farmer applied about 3 gallons/ acre through a pivot and later harvested his best beans ever (94 bushel). He later received an award as a state leader for soybean production.
At Kansas State, 6 gallons gained 32 bushels of corn in 2015 and 18 bushels in 2016.
At Texas Tech, 5 gallons on cotton produced 177 pounds of lint in 2014; 307 lbs in 2015; and 273 lbs in 2016.

This should be an excellent year to give NACHURS AquaTech 7-20-4 a try!

Bio-K Opportunities with 10-34-0 and Liquid UAN

Thu, 13 Jun 2019 13:11:00 GMT

Much has been promoted and said about NACHURS Bio-K and its unique properties that provide profitable benefits when incorporating this advanced form of potassium into crop fertility programs.

Here are some factual reminders regarding the importance of supporting your potassium management system by incorporating Bio-K into your program.

Since plants grow, live, and die by its root systems, it is imperative that a balanced, available, and soluble nutrient management program be incorporated into any fertility program.
Potassium provides key components to overall plant health including internal cell pressure, nitrogen use efficiency, stalk strength, drought stress, plant defense mechanisms, photosynthesis, and transport of plant nutrients, among many others.
Plants drink their food which means solubility and plant availability is extremely important.
Most plants demand high volumes of K late midway through the season, when most of its energy is being funneled into reproduction, just as available K normally begins to run short.
Not all potassium is plant available, especially at peak demand. Countless producers share concern that even though soil K ppm levels may be high, they continue to see deficiency symptoms late season, sometimes after pre-applying 300 + pounds of KCl/ac. The plant simply runs out of fuel or available plant potassium when it needs it the most.
Science and research has proven time and time again that Bio-K is the most soluble, most plant available, and most compatible form of K there is.
All liquid UAN sidedress users should seriously consider adding some Bio-K to that program. It is the perfect opportunity to upgrade UAN with plant available potassium. Providing plant available K as a supplement to soil applied K will greatly enhance the uptake when paired with UAN at sidedress at low ratios (10:1 is most common).
Due to Bio-K’s organic acid properties, this source of potassium is providing a premium carbon source for production of primary and secondary metabolites in the plant as well as for the microbes in the soil to feed on. These rhizobacteria will be grateful for the abundance of root exudates and tasty carbon source, which will ultimately lead to plant productivity and yield.
Due to its basic science, NACHURS Bio-K product line supports a healthy environment for meaningful conservation management and sustainable agriculture.

As has been stated before, NACHURS Bio-K product lines deliver tremendous value and help achieve sustainable plant growth and development at critical stages, healthy soil biology, and production capabilities. Keep in mind that NACHURS Bio-K products are true plant food solutions and our goal is to feed plants with available, compatible, and soluble plant food when plants need it.

A Challenging Start: NACHURS Offers Opportunity

Mon, 20 May 2019 12:36:59 GMT

This unusually wet spring season has posed some major challenges to growers across the country. Dry weather and adequate soil temperatures (corn 50° F, soybeans 54° F) have been hard to come by, making it very hard for growers to get in the field to plant. Now more than ever is it important to provide the crop the nutrition it needs to get a jump start to make up for delayed planting.

Growers can be proactive in reducing the risk of a low quality crop (low test weights, increased drying costs, slow maturity, etc) by incorporating the best liquid fertilizers into their fertility program. Using NACHURS® Bio-K® technology results in quicker germination, more uniform emergence, improved root development, and an elevated abiotic stress tolerance; leading to better stand establishment, more vigorous growth, quicker harvest, and higher yields.

More than just an in-furrow starter, NACHURS offers opportunities throughout the growing season to maximize crop quality and yield:

Sidedress: The NACHURS® Bio-K® product line includes 3 products which can be utilized with sidedress UAN, offering blending and tank mixing flexibility and outstanding ROI opportunities. General rate recommendation is 1-2 gal/ac. In a third party corn trial summary, sidedressing with NACHURS® Bio-K® increased yields by 5.9 bu/ac*.
Early Foliar: NACHURS Finish Line® should be applied at a rate of 1 to 2 quarts/acre in conjunction with crop protection products (A jar test is recommended to check compatibility). In a third party corn trial summary, foliar feeding corn at V4-V5 with NACHURS Finish Line® increased yields by 5.4 bu/ac**.

Where you may see a big challenge, we see opportunity. Contact your NACHURS representative to talk about boosting nutrient use efficiency and yields for this year’s crop.

*43 trials from grower, dealer, research, and/or university origins. NACHURS K-flex was the Bio-K product sidedressed.

**46 trials from grower, dealer, research, and/or university origins

Maximize yield and improve tuber quality with NACHURS® Bio-K®

Mon, 13 May 2019 19:37:42 GMT

Potatoes have a strict requirement for balanced plant nutrition in order to optimize crop yield and maximize tuber quality by avoiding nutrient deficiencies, nutrient antagonisms in soil and/or in the plant, and increasing tolerance to adverse conditions. Among the major plant nutrients, potassium not only increases yield by improving physiological efficiencies but also enhances various quality aspects such as specific gravity, total solids, sugar and starch content, bruising (mechanical, blackspot), hollow heart, fry quality, and storage.

A balanced fertility program can be accomplished in various ways through preplant, at-planting, foliar, and/or fertigation methods. In regards to potassium, we know from years of research that nutrient demand is highest from early tuber initiation and continues to mid tuber bulking.

NACHURS answer to meet this high potassium demand when the potato plant needs it the most is our “2 & a Q” foliar program.

2 & a Q: it’s that simple!

WHAT IS IT?

2 gal NACHURS K-fuel® : High K fertilizer for foliar and fertigation with the highest concentration of NACHURS® Bio-K®
1 qt NACHURS Finish Line® : Balanced NPK plus a high load of micronutrients for maximum tank-mix compatibility

WHEN SHOULD I USE IT?
Apply at tuber initiation (will vary by environment and by variety) regardless of prior fertility program or current nutritional status (specifically potassium) determination via tissue/petiole sampling.

Boost nutrient use efficiency and higher yields with NACHURS Bio-K

Mon, 06 May 2019 15:39:40 GMT

The addition of NACHURS Bio-K to high nitrogen fertility programs will address known potassium starvation as well as improve nitrogen use efficiency. There is a need for additional potassium in most fertility programs due to low soil test K levels. Newer genetics and higher crop yields, along with sub-optimal applications of potassium that haven’t kept up with the crop removal rates, have left many acres in decline of available potassium. NACHURS Bio-K is the preferred source of potassium for plant uptake due to numerous factors which include solubility, availability, and efficiency, as well as primary and secondary metabolite production stimulated by the acetate carrier molecule once absorbed by the plant.

According to recent third party data, NACHURS Bio-K products have shown to increase yields when integrated into UAN solutions for sidedress application. The NACHURS Bio-K product line includes 3 products which can be utilized with sidedress UAN, offering blending and tank mixing flexibility and outstanding ROI opportunities. General rate recommendation are 1-2 gal/ac and depends on UAN source and rate.

NACHURS K-flex: Versatile product for soil, foliar, or fertigation applications of high K & S during critical growth stages ( learn more )
NACHURS K-fuse: Balanced K & S fertilizer specifically designed to be blended with UAN at sidedress ( learn more )
NACHURS K-fuel: High K fertilizer for foliar and fertigation with the highest concentration of NACHURS Bio-K ( learn more )

Contact your NACHURS Representative today to learn more or visit www.nachurs.com

NACHURS® nutritional products approved for use with herbicide technology

Mon, 22 Apr 2019 17:09:43 GMT

Press Release

April 22, 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Marion, OH

NACHURS® nutritional products approved for use with herbicide technology

NACHURS, an industry leader in plant nutrition products since 1946, announces the approval of six nutritional formulations for use with Bayer’s XtendiMax® with VaporGrip® Technology. These formulations include micronutrient products as well as slow release nitrogen and NPK products, which are all powered by NACHURS Bio-K® technology, the most soluble, available, and efficient form of potassium on the market today.

“Today’s high-yielding crops require more available potassium to meet nutrient demands,” states Tommy Roach, Director of Specialty Products and Product Development. “Being able to provide plant nutrition while simultaneously applying chemicals is a great way to improve plant health, enhance nutrient use efficiency, and elevate crop productivity at the same time.”

Our currently approved products include: NACHURS K-fuel®, NACHURS playmaKer®, NACHURS N-Rage® Max, NACHURS Finish Line®, NACHURS 6% Mn EDTA, and NACHURS 10% Boron.

For further information, contact your local Nachurs representative or visit our website at www.nachurs.com .

###

Happy Birthday, NACHURS!

Mon, 08 Apr 2019 16:40:45 GMT

73 years ago today the pioneer of liquid fertilizer was born in Marion, Ohio

On April 8, 1946 Ben Peterson founded The Na-Churs Plant Food Company. Little did Mr. Peterson know that 73 years later his company would grow to 7 manufacturing facilities throughout North America and include six business units.

NACHURS is the original 4R brand, developed based upon the basic principles of the 4R Nutrient Stewardship: the Right Product to apply at the Right Rate in the Right Place at the Right Time. The NACHURS brand has revolutionized farming practices by offering quality precision-placed, seed-safe liquid starters and the latest technologies to maximize crop yields.

We salute you, Ben Peterson, and all of our farmers that have made the NACHURS brand continue to thrive.

Flood 2019

Mon, 01 Apr 2019 20:21:37 GMT

Two weeks ago Nebraska experienced the worst flooding it has seen in over 100 years. The totality of the devastation is still to be determined. Entire towns were engulfed with flood waters that may in practicality erase these towns completely. It happened so fast that people barely had time to evacuate with only the clothes on their backs. Roads and bridges washed away so fast that people were stranded. Lives were turned upside down. When the story broke on the national news channels I began to get many phone calls checking to make sure I was okay. I live in an area that was not affected so I was fortunate. My co-workers at NACHURS checked to make sure everybody in our work family were okay; thankfully our NACHURS team made it through unscathed. It is comforting to know that people care.

Now that the water has receded it is hard to say how the floods will affect this year’s crop season. Many fields have a new layer of silt and sand covering the fertile soil. Livestock operations were hurt badly and monetary losses are over a billion. The frustration and stress is building with each and every additional rainfall. Most farms affected are taking things one day at a time, doing daily chores then working to clean up their homes and seeing what can be salvaged. Everyone in affected areas are piecing their lives back together, both town folk and farmers alike. It’s going to be a long road to recovery. With that being said, if farmers have questions about fertility and agronomy call your NACHURS DSM or Agronomist.

Nebraska is often looked at as flyover country with nothing to see... nothing ever happens in Nebraska. There is a certain amount of truth to that, but that’s how we like it. We work hard, we take care of our families and neighbors, and we live relatively simple lives. Nebraskans have a reputation of being nice, polite and courteous. When natural disasters occur in other parts of the country often times Nebraskans are there volunteering to help others. In the last week “ flyover country ” has become the current American focal point. It is astonishing and very humbling to see the amount of help pouring into Nebraska from across this nation. Truckload upon truckload of supplies and hay for livestock are pouring in to affected areas. This is America. Nebraska thanks you. God bless you all and God Bless America!

Spring Cleaning: Guidelines & Recommendations

Mon, 18 Mar 2019 12:55:56 GMT

These are general recommendations. Please consult with your NACHURS District Sales Manager or Agronomist for additional/specific recommendations.

Stored Liquid Fertilizer Product
If you have stored NACHURS liquid fertilizer over the winter there are a couple steps that should be performed to make sure that the stored product is ready for spring use.

Introduce air into the bottom of the tank and “bubble” the tank to circulate the product inside; there is no time limit for agitation by bubbling.
You can introduce new/fresh product into your tank if space allows to mix the existing product in the tank.

NACHURS starter fertilizer requires agitation and circulation to have the product ready for use after overwintering.

Tank Cleaning Recommendations
When converting existing UAN (28% - 32%) tanks, ammonium polyphosphate tanks (10-34-0) or a tank that has ever stored any foreign material NACHURS suggests the following tank cleaning guidelines to prepare you for your new load of NACHURS N-P-K products:

NACHURS N-P-K products can be stored in the following makes of tanks:

Stainless steel
Poly
Mild steel (that are compatible with fertilizer)
Fiberglass
NO aluminum tanks
Aqua-Tech products require poly and fiberglass tank storage ONLY

SAFETY FIRST Please follow all safety guidelines/procedures for entering into any confined spaces:

Drain all material out of the existing tank.
Open cleaning man holes on the tanks and completely clean out any solid materials off of bottom of the tank. Some stored products will have solid material on bottom of the tank that has settled out in time.
After cleaning settled out materials and additional liquid in the tank:
- Completely FLUSH out tanks, lines and pumps with water.
- Rinse/wash with water the inside walls of the storage tanks especially UAN (28% - 32%) tanks.
We recommend to DEDICATE a separate pump and line for your NACHURS N-P-K products:
- Prevents any contamination issues or problems
- Peace of mind that you are giving the highest quality and safest product to your customers

Note: Suggest these same cleaning guides for semi-trailers, tender trucks/trailers, sprayer tanks, etc.

Tanker Transport Preparation Guidelines
The purpose of these guidelines is to provide our customers the cleanest, highest quality N-P-K products that they have ordered and expect. Tanker transporters haul many different materials and for those preparing to transport NACHURS N-P-K liquid fertilizers we suggest the following tanker cleaning guidelines:

SAFETY FIRST Please follow all safety guidelines/procedures when cleaning your tankers or when entering any confined spaces:

Drain all existing material out of:
- Tanks
- Hoses and pumps
Completely clean out any solid materials off of bottom of the tank.
- Hauling some materials for a period of time may settle.
After cleaning settled out materials and additional liquid in the tank, especially if you have been transporting UAN (28% - 32%) materials:
- Completely FLUSH out tanks, lines, and pumps with water and drain.

Following these cleaning guidelines will implement:

Not having contamination issues or problems.
Gives both your customers and NACHURS the highest quality product and trucking service that they expect.
Peace of mind for future deliveries with your transport service.

NACHURS imPulse: The Corn Whisperer

Tue, 05 Mar 2019 14:14:18 GMT

It’s almost #plant19 and progressive corn growers are looking for ways to maximize yield while increasing profitability. With a growing population to potentially reach 9 billion by the year 2050, they must find ways of increasing yield on the same acreage. No pressure, right?!

So many equipment and input options can be pretty overwhelming, all while dealing with an often hormonal Mother Nature. I’ll just cut to the chase on why you should consider NACHURS imPulse as your in-furrow corn starter.

NACHURS imPulse has proven to be a corn crop’s food of choice, offering:

NACHURS Bio-K technology
100% available orthophosphate
Quick and uniform plant emergence
Improved early season plant health
Excellent cold-weather storage

More Info/Source: www.nachurs.com/imPulse

PFR Proven

Beck’s Practical Farm Research (PFR)® program found that NACHURS impulse offered a $17.67 ROI over a 3-year program.

Precision Planting Pontiac Farm Trials

The combination of NACHURS impulse through Precision Planting FurrowJet has delivered positive results proven in trials at the Precision Planting Pontiac Farm in 2018. The graph below shows yield gains up to 12 bu/acre in field trials. NACHURS impulse offered net returns of $21.65/ac, far surpassing competitive products.

EXCLUSIVE EQUIPMENT REBATE NACHURS is offering new NACHURS customers a Precision Planting exclusive equipment program to help offset the cost of Precision Planting liquid application equipment (up to $6,000 per grower). This high-value program is available to new NACHURS customers in the continental United States.

More Info/Source: https://www.nachurs.com/precision-planting

For more information, contact your local dealer, NACHURS representative, or call or call: 800.622.4877 x 255.

A Partnership with Precision Planting

Tue, 26 Feb 2019 14:57:02 GMT

Introducing an exclusive equipment program to help offset the cost of Precision Planting liquid application equipment

NACHURS and Precision Planting are working together to deliver successful fertility programs to growers across the United States. We are offering new NACHURS customers a Precision Planting exclusive equipment program to help offset the cost of Precision Planting liquid application equipment (up to $6,000 per grower). This high-value program is available to new NACHURS customers in the continental United States.

The combination of NACHURS through Precision Planting FurrowJet has delivered positive results proven in trials at the Precision Planting Pontiac Farm in 2018. The graph below shows yield gains up to 12 bu/acre in field trials on the Pontiac, IL farm in 2018. We encourage you to learn more about all of Precision Planting’s solutions, and to contact your Precision Planting Regional Manager.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, visit:
www.nachurs.com/precision-planting

Liquid Fertilizer Application Equipment

Thu, 14 Feb 2019 18:47:34 GMT

Thinking about finally making the transition to liquid? Brock Bonifas of C&J AgriService explains the different options for modifying your planter for in-furrow applications. Ask about our Equipment Rebate to get you started with the best liquid on the market: #BioK #imPulse .

Time to shine!

Tue, 12 Feb 2019 13:36:22 GMT

Commodity Classic is only a couple weeks away in Orlando and we are looking forward to a few days with some of the most innovative growers in the industry. Commodity Classic is America’s largest farmer-led, farmer-focused agricultural and education experience! At Commodity you’ll find the answers, ideas, innovation, technology, equipment and expertise that can make a powerful difference on your farm.

We are a proud sponsor of Commodity Classic offering an exciting line up of presenters:

IN BOOTH PRESENTATION
Join us for a Panel Discussion with State Corn Yield Champions
Thursday and Friday • 2:00 pm • Booth #402

MINI WHAT’S NEW PRESENTATION

Addressing Potassium and Sulfur Deficiencies in Today’s High Yielding Crops

Thursday, February 28, 2019
8:45 am & 11:45 am

Presented by Tommy Roach of NACHURS®
Director, Product Development & Specialty Products

8:45 am: Rm W209 • 11:45 am: Stage in Trade Show, Hall WA4, Aisle 100
Orange County Convention Center, West Concourse

Come to our booth (#402) to chat with our team on how NACHURS® Bio-K® products can help maximize crop yield potential.

Mention this blog and see a NACHURS representative for your chance
to win a DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 drone!

Ride in style on one of our shuttle buses between the show and hotel.

SEE YOU IN ORLANDO!

New year, new website, same fantastic products

Tue, 29 Jan 2019 17:36:35 GMT

We are excited to announce the launch of the new NACHURS website to provide you the latest innovations in liquid fertilizer technologies and agronomic topics. NACHURS liquid fertilizers offer a variety of products for flexible applications including in-furrow, banded, fertigation, strip-till/side-dress, and foliar.

Be sure to check out our product pages loaded with content to help you make informed decisions on managing nutritional requirements while maximizing yields and profits. We are also now mobile-friendly to provide you an even better experience from your mobile device.

www.nachurs.com

Supermarket Guru Phil Lempert's Interview with NACHURS

Mon, 21 Jan 2019 14:30:46 GMT

The Eye at the 2019 Potato Expo

Phil Lempert, the Supermarket Guru, is joined by Tommy Roach, Director of Specialty Products and Product Development at NACHURS, to talk about maximizing potato yield.

Fertigate with Confidence: NACHURS Aqua-Tech

Mon, 14 Jan 2019 21:18:02 GMT

NACHURS Aqua-Tech is a unique polyamine technology that allows for greater plant productivity through fertigation systems, delivering highly available low-salt nutrients safely and precisely. Offering much flexibility, NACHURS Aqua-Tech products can be used in-furrow and foliar on a variety of crops. NACHURS Aqua-Tech contains Bio-K technology which ultimately leads to better plant establishment, more vigorous growth, and higher yields.

For more information, visit:
https://www.nachurs.com/aqua-tech

NACHURS CropMax: A Balanced and Versatile Micronutrient Package

Tue, 18 Dec 2018 00:00:00 GMT

NACHURS CropMax® liquid fertilizer is a premium blend of micronutrients designed for soil application at planting, seeding, or sidedress. NACHURS CropMax® contains 100% EDTA chelated nutrients* which prevents tie up with the soil and with other nutrients and is designed to be used on a wide range of crops.

Boron • Copper* • Iron* • Manganese* • Molybdenum • Zinc*

NACHURS Bio-K and the 4Rs of Nutrient Stewardship

Tue, 11 Dec 2018 00:00:00 GMT

NACHURS Bio-K products are complementary to the 4Rs of Nutrient Stewardship as it encourages using the right fertilizer source, at the right rate, at the right time, and in the right place. NACHURS Bio-K products deliver tremendous value and help achieve sustainable plant growth, healthy soil biology, and a profitable future for farmers and our environment.

Agricultural Sustainability

Mon, 03 Dec 2018 09:24:00 GMT

Sustainability is a buzz word that the media and scholars talk about a lot these days. It most often is used as a term describing management in a way that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. It is said that sustainability can be determined by balancing economics, environment and society.

When it comes to agriculture, sustainability certainly means different things to different people. Individual perceptions are influenced by the area in which you live and work and by your familiarity with agricultural practices. Farmers are much less likely than consumers to see environmental issues associated with production agriculture to be a major problem. Similarly, farmers are less likely than consumers to believe that current economic returns for agricultural products are adequate. These groups even have differing views of societal issues such as food quality and safety. They also have different views about farm size and structure; each having different opinions of terms such as “family farm”, “independent producer”, or “corporate farm”.

One thing that both groups can agree upon is that getting greater efficiency from inputs while minimizing waste and environmental contamination are factors that contribute to agricultural sustainability. These are the exact principles that NACHURS products have promoted since 1946! Products such as in-furrow starter fertilizer and foliar fertilizers help plants produce more, while using less resources and are much less likely to be lost to leaching, volatilization or carried offsite with rain water.

With modern farming practices, NACHURS products have become even more important. In addition to in-furrow and foliar applications, we have found that we can get more out of our fertilizer by applying with strip-till, side-dress applications, or through irrigation water. These applications allow farmers to apply a little fertilizer at a time which spoon feeds the crop for the most efficient application possible. Also, these applications are rarely conducted by themselves. Most of the time NACHURS fertilizer goes on with another agricultural input, such as during planting, with herbicide or fungicide, or with other nutrient application, therefore labor and fuel cost for the applications are minimal.

I know many farmers are tired of hearing the word “sustainability” and are tired of the debate that continues to scrutinize modern agricultural practices. Most farmers care deeply about the future generations maintaining the ability to feed themselves. Knowing that the use of technological advances and the use of fertility products like those produced by NACHURS corresponds with sustainable objectives should be a source of satisfaction for those of you that use them.

Nachurs Alpine Solutions Acquires New Manufacturing Plant

Wed, 28 Nov 2018 08:28:00 GMT

November 27, 2018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NACHURS ALPINE SOLUTIONS ACQUIRES NEW MANUFACTURING PLANT

Marion, Ohio

Nachurs Alpine Solutions is pleased to announce that it has acquired the Garretson, South Dakota manufacturing plant and the related specialty NPK business from Koch Fertilizer, LLC. Jeff Barnes, CEO of Nachurs Alpine Solutions, says “We believe this strategic acquisition fits very well within our current operations and its ability to support all six of our business units in its geography.” The Garretson facility is Nachurs Alpine Solutions seventh plant across North America and all current personnel at the facility will remain on staff. Murray Van Zeggelaar, VP - Marketing says, “We look forward to continued service of existing customers of the Garretson facility, as well as improving our capabilities and service for our current Nachurs Alpine Solutions customers in the Upper Midwest.”

ABOUT NACHURS ALPINE SOLUTIONS

Nachurs Alpine Solutions is a 72-year-old specialty chemical company that pioneered the low salt liquid starter fertilizer industry by introducing the first true solution liquid NPK fertilizer. Today, NPK liquid fertilizers sold by Nachurs Alpine Solutions are marketed under the NACHURS brand in the United States and under the ALPINE brand in Canada. For more information visit www.nachurs-alpine.com

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What is a Farmer?

Tue, 13 Nov 2018 13:27:00 GMT

NACHURS is thankful for our farmers: those that work in acres, not in hours.

OUR 2019 CALENDAR IS NOW AVAILABLE! Featuring "What is a farmer?".
Contact 800.622.4877 x 255 or info@nachurs.com to receive your free calendar

NACHURS Bio-K: the Latest Development of Premium Crop Nutrition

Tue, 06 Nov 2018 08:10:00 GMT

INCREASE YOUR POTASSIUM UPTAKE WITH A MORE EFFICIENT USE OF POTASSIUM: NACHURS Bio-K.

A premium source of potassium fertilizer combined with a natural plant metabolite
Most effective and efficient source of potassium
Increased plant health and plant vigor resulting in maximum yield potential

Harvest 2018

Wed, 17 Oct 2018 08:05:00 GMT

This year’s fall harvest weather sure feels a lot like this year’s Nebraska Cornhusker football team. Every day starts with great promise and then Mother Nature throws a flag. Most have been pleased with the yields they are seeing so far but the rains are sure making it a challenge. My area of Nebraska (70 miles west of Lincoln) has had nearly 10” of rain the last month. It seems as if half of the US is underwater this fall and every time the wind starts to blow anxiety levels rise knowing the possibility of crops falling down due to stalk rot and disease. We know that there isn’t a darn thing we can do about it at this point. Another turnover or penalty that the coach can’t do anything about. Things may have to hit rock bottom first as I woke up to snow this morning after another Husker loss. The Cornhuskers are going to improve and rest assured that the weather will improve, the ground will dry and at the end of the game the crops will be in the bin.

We select crops, hybrids, and cultivars to perform the best on each farm the same way coaches recruit players to fill positions that give them the best opportunity to win. A plan is developed literally from the ground up. Starting at the soil fertility and crop needs to in season fertilizer applications to maximize return. Farmers are looking to sustain that drive all the way to harvest. Do football coaches rely on old slow players to fill their rosters or are they recruiting the best they can find? Progressive growers are finding the best and most innovative fertility tools on the market to ensure that the crops being grown are the healthiest and best they can be. Progressive growers are spoon feeding their crops to make them better just like good coaches keep coaching after mistakes they keep looking for that edge and trying to get better results and eventually the WIN.

Studying, planning, and implementing the plan is the key to winning. NACHURS liquid starters, micro-nutrients, foliar nutrition and fertigation products are your line of 5 star recruits that give you the winning edge. Go to nachurs.com to study about the Premium, and Specialty product lineup. NACHURS has the product for every application. Have a safe and successful harvest. Go Big Red!

Progress!

Fri, 12 Oct 2018 09:05:00 GMT

Progress, it can be defined in many ways ………… Webster’s dictionary states it as “a forward or onward movement”, in the world of nutritional products and crop production I see as this.

Progress is researching, developing, testing and distributing better tools that assist those of us in crop production while we meet the challenges, push for bigger yields, and provide better quality agricultural products.

The fact is that we as producers must soon meet the production demand of the future and we are NOT going to be able to do this with traditional products and historical methods of production.

NACHURS has understood this fact and has been purposefully developing the tools of the future, bringing new products and making more effective application methods possible.

Recently I was reminded of this while working with a current customer. We were again demonstrating the value of cleaner nutritional products first of all, products with lower salt indexes and no chlorine paired with features that supply the newest potassium and biological technology; a “program” linking the value of a host of components for a common goal. We’ve done similar comparisons with similar results many times.

The day of simply choosing a product from one company and others from someone else may soon be replaced by working with a preferred partner to customize a crop production program, focused on specific production needs and linking the advantages of nutrient science.

The payoff for this approach is generally better yields and almost always better quality. I see this probably more pronounced in our Specialty Crop world where yield is important but the quality of the crop and the physical attributes of the crop can be equally important.

Let me give you an example ………… I have provided a couple of pictures so let me set this up. The base granular treatment and everything else up to this point has been treated the same with one exception, the bed starter.

The traditional side is obviously the grower standard while the NACHURS side has been matched gallon for gallon with more advanced products that include added value and the differences are marketable!

The plant stand, vigor, and crop density are the more pronounced differences that can be seen. Think about it! If a safer product, one that can improve germination, reduce seedling mortality and energize seedling vigor can improve stand just by 5%, that is already an increase in yield! In just a few short weeks by using more productive products, you have established the opportunity for an increase in yield. No matter what crop, a better plant stand with a healthier, more vigorous start is the foundation for good things to come.

What’s exciting to me as a production specialist is that the advancement of the new sciences and the value they bring doesn’t stop with emergence. The biological additions to nutritional products develop conditions in the field biome and encourage plant responses like better nutrient assimilation and improved plant stress mitigation that continue to add value throughout the cropping season, again adding incremental value on top of an established increase in plant stand.

Then we have the king of all tools in my opinion ………the Bio-K line of products. The introduction of the Bio-K line brings immeasurable opportunity, providing higher quality potassium nutrition and complete flexibility of application to producers across the cropping spectrum. In my opinion, there is no single nutrient that influences crop production like potassium and now we have the capability to apply potassium whenever needed, with the highest efficiency and most effectiveness. Better dollars spent and better crop production as a result!

I say all of this to make a point. Production, looking forward, will take on a much different look. Sure we will still recognize our industry but we will begin to do things much differently than we are doing today. Growers will link individual product strengths in many more ways than we currently do. We will link seed technologies with the environment and the soils ability to produce with crop protection technologies and power all of this with advanced nutritional and biological products. Change ……well it’s coming whether we like it or not and change we must.

Old ways and familiar products will be upgraded to better ways of doing things and better products in which to produce the food products of the future. NACHURS and your NACHURS retail partner is a big part of that change today and will be there when our industry produces the food sources that feed a doubling population.

For more information about the Bio-K and Rhyzo-Link line of products reference our link at www.nachurs.com or contact your nearest NACHURS dealer or representative.

"It's fun to sell NACHURS!"

Tue, 25 Sep 2018 15:47:00 GMT

Paul Zimmerman Jr. has been selling NACHURS products in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, since he was quite young. His father, Paul Sr., had been an ALPINE dealer since the 1980s until his death about 20 years ago. When ALPINE merged with NACHURS they became NACHURS dealers, and the business went on cruise control for a dozen years.

In 2010 the introduction of NACHURS SRN caught Paul’s attention! This was something new and exciting to talk about and introduce to his customers. Then in 2012 was the launch of NACHURS Bio-K, followed by NACHURS Rhyzo-Link in late 2014. These new technologies were easy to promote since they sold themselves in visual crop responses. We were even challenged by a farmer to find where he had used NACHURS Rhyzo-Link. Quick work with a shovel uncovered the evidence of enlarged roots that gave the story away.

Paul is planning to start a new enterprise this fall after splitting the old family business, and NACHURS technologies will be the cornerstone of this business.

We’ve gone from the days the business was on cruise control for a decade until today where Paul says “It’s fun to sell NACHURS!”

Balanced plant nutrition: more than just optimum growth

Mon, 17 Sep 2018 12:43:00 GMT

Balanced fertilizer applications may reduce the need for chemical disease control in some cases. Scientists who breed crops are continually attempting to develop new varieties that are resistant to pests and disease. The big challenge is that pests and disease continually adapt to their environment, which inevitably cause resistant varieties to fail and become susceptible to pests and disease.

Even though genetic resistance is the primary path to pest avoidance, environmental factors also play a huge role. Plant nutritional status is one of these environmental factors. Usually a balanced nutrient supply ensures optimal plant growth and also pest resistance.

Balanced plant nutrition is key to using plant nutrition as a tool to minimize crop pests. Often over application of one nutrient may induce deficiency of another, especially potassium, which could lead to increased disease occurrence. This is especially true when it comes to nitrogen. Often farmers mistakenly over-apply nitrogen in an attempt to increase plant growth. While maintaining adequate N is essential for healthy crops, excessive N can promote many diseases and insect pests.

Potassium is one of the most notable nutrients involved in maintaining crop health. K deficiency increases susceptibility of host plant to blight, rusts, and even possibly Fusarium. Potassium deficiency reduces the synthesis of proteins, starch and cellulose. However, there is no need for K levels to be increased above optimum levels.

Phosphorus is also important. Even though it is not one of the primary nutrients known for decreasing disease, it has been known to suppress take-all in wheat, and foliar applications may be effective against some airborne pathogens.

Additionally, secondary and micronutrients also play a role in increasing plant avoidance of pests and diseases. Ensuring sufficient amounts of Ca, B, Cu, Zn and especially K enables plant cells to ward off pathogenic invaders because they create plant cells that are less penetrable. Also, N, P, Cu, and Mn have been noted to decrease severity and incidences of Soil-Born Fungal and Bacterial disease.

Nutrient supply changes the resistance of plants to pathogens and pests by altering growth and tissue composition. Effectively timing and placing quality sources of nutrients may lead to benefits for farmers that go well beyond maximizing growth and development of crops.

Generation Whatever...What We Do Matters

Tue, 11 Sep 2018 07:48:00 GMT

Previous generations such as our parents, grandparents and beyond worried about us younger Generation Whatever and how we behaved, raised children, adopted too easily to new technologies, thought differently, and farmed differently from them. I still hear “it’s just the way my folks have always done it”. When I became a grandparent, I gained not just grandchildren but a new appreciation of the generational differences and changes our parents and grandparents went through. How our ancestors must have felt as a new crop of young folks pioneered their way through life differently than theirs. I’ve often thought in recent years of our way of life, what we did and how we did it, was really okay? Today, I wonder if we will have left it better for our children and grandchildren. In some ways, likely not, but in most ways, it’s much better. Grandad likely thought the same thing, just never would/could say it.

I was raised and educated in the 60’s and 70’s witnessing and participating in the greatest era of change, growth and prosperity in the history of western civilization at that time. The same could be said today. Southern life was moderately civil and considerate then, although there was the Vietnam War, societal issues, civil unrest, the Kennedy brothers, Dr. King, and other life challenges. It was different than today but in reality, not that much. I guess it’s part of the process… coming to grips with what our forefathers went through to sow the seeds for future generations. Now my generation is passing the torch. Well, what about my generation and subsequent generations? How will they do it? Will it be better or worse?

We grew up with party lines, 1 row pickers, and believe it or not, a 4 row planter. I watched in awe as John Glen and Neil Armstrong did things using the technology of the day that, now, is a fraction of what we unconsciously carry in our pockets and take for granted its influence and impact on how we live.

As more of the next generations populate urban cities seeking the comforts and real time access to everything they believe to be happy, wealthy, and successful, I feel we have an obligation to them. Thankfully, our young farm generation thinks differently. Social media, activism, misleading headlines, and bloviating, over shadow and influence the realities of a lot of misguided and misled people. Far too many think their food somehow comes from places like Whole Foods (no offense) and their clothes come from a Manhattan tailor or Walmart.

Agriculture remains the heartbeat and pulse of the human race. What we do as an industry is terribly important to the survival of our fellow humans and the planet. The technologies we utilize today help feed and clothe more people, easier, faster, and safer than ever imagined. Look at where we have come. Our parents and grandparents likely could not imagine 10,000+ ac farms harvesting 250 – 350 bu/ac corn, 100+ bu/ac soybeans, or 4 and 5 bale cotton. Imagine how Great Grandad would deal with a tractor or combine that drives itself. How will future generations farm? Hard to imagine. Just like it was for us and our forefathers.

At the end of the day, the results of our labor, culture, beliefs, and ethics yield the same results as has previous generations, just a lot better, more efficiently, and safer. There does remain, however, an opportunity to do better. As an industry, we need to do a better job of telling our story but the big impediment is the time and occasion to do it, because farmers are the ones rolling day and night to sustain life and make it better. Sadly, the petulant and self-serving voices being fed and clothed by the American farmer offer no help or solutions to foster their alternative. Contrary to the boisterous and misguided voices that get a lot of media attention, we are the best stewards of the land we have been blessed to nurture and manage. We are the ones who seek and work hard to provide a safe and healthy plate of food to the table of the World. Collectively it works and we will continue to provide safe and healthy food one farmer and one support person at a time, despite the ignorance and naiveté of others. The next Generation Whatever farmers will have vast opportunity to better feed, clothe, and influence the World far beyond the way it’s done today.

Take a minute and think about this as drought, floods, commodity prices, hurricanes, stress, insects, disease, resistant weeds, lack of sleep, too much of this and not enough of that continues, as it has for generations. What we do matters. What we do for a living and our way of life, here in the USA, has global impact. That’s a BIG deal. We matter. Our industry matters. We are blessed people to live and work the land and industry we love. Without the American farmer, rancher, vegetable and fruit producer, the naysayers and anti-everythingers would have to grass feed and free-range for themselves to survive. How would that go over?

Everyone at NACHURS thanks you for your business and support. We continue to wish each and every producer a safe and bountiful harvest.

Big City Girl meets gasp Agriculture

Tue, 04 Sep 2018 09:31:00 GMT

Born and raised in the suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio, I never thought much about where my food or stuff in general came from. All I knew was that there was always a good supply of whatever I needed at the store. Going to the grocery store, the once a year trip to the County Fair, and the rare occasion my family traveled outside of the city was really my only exposure to agriculture.

Fast forward to my early twenties I landed a marketing job with NACHURS after moving to Marion, Ohio, a nice farming community. Holy cow (HA!) did I have a lot to learn. I started this job not even knowing what a combine was. I was intimidated at first by a field that I knew nothing about but immediately became fully immersed in my position as I met our awesome network of sales and support team, our dealers (some that have been around over 30 years!), and growers from around the country. It didn’t take me long to realize that I work for a great company that has a good foundation and a portfolio of products that are nothing short of top quality. How cool is it that I can say I work for a company that’s been around for over 70 years and was the pioneer of the liquid fertilizer industry?!

To be honest there is nothing sexy when it comes to promoting liquid fertilizers. Marketing has its challenges but one thing has made my job easier: I am helping market the best products in the industry. NACHURS products are clean, efficient, and of the best quality. It might not look as cool as that new John Deere equipment but I can assure you those crops will look fantastic with a little dose of NACHURS… and it won’t corrode the equipment growers have worked so hard for.

I’m happy to be celebrating my 10th anniversary with the company this year. I’ve made a lot of memories, made many friends, and have met so many great people. I have much more to learn about agriculture and look forward to being part of our company’s newest innovations. I hope to teach my daughter (almost 2 years old!) everything I know about agriculture so that she can develop my same passion and appreciation for the men and women that are the backbone of this great country.

What are you reading?

Mon, 20 Aug 2018 11:21:00 GMT

I have been thinking about higher yields and what are the next possible breakthroughs in agriculture which will send yields climbing. I have also been thinking about the magazines we read in agriculture. The titles alone give us hope: Successful Farming, Top Producer, Progressive Farmer, Corn and Soybean Digest, Ag Professional, and CropLife magazines.

What does it take to be a successful farmer or a top producer? The easy answer is good fertile soils, timely planting of quality seed, no insects or disease pressure, good marketing, a whole lot of help from Mother Nature, and Prayers, Prayers and more Prayers. In reality it is a whole lot more complicated than that and that is why we read. What are the top farmers doing that I’m not? What do I need to implement into my operation?

The “Top Producers” are often “Progressive Farmers”. Most farmers know they need to be progressive or they will be left behind by technology. Many of the most progressive have an employee or son or daughter coming back to the farm totally dedicated to science and technology. These people have the task of keeping up as technology seemingly passes us by. So much is changing so fast that we have to decide which of these changes is going to give us the best return on investment for the most years before we change again. This requires understanding and forward thinking. Like it or not; farming is complicated.

That is why “Ag Professionals” have jobs. People dedicated to answering questions, developing ideas and determining which new ideas will pay off. Ag professionals are people who make crops their life. CropLife magazine recently did a story on NACHURS Liquid Fertilizer. NACHURS has been developing liquid fertilizers for 72+ years. Forward thinking and developing new ideas with our Bio-K, Rhyzo-Link (Biologicals), and Aqua-Tech (Fertigation) keep NACHURS at the forefront of the fertilizer industry. If you haven’t heard of the new fertilizers look them up at nachurs.com. Better yet call us, we’d be happy to answer your questions about how we can help raise yields.

Profit by the foot!

Tue, 14 Aug 2018 09:04:00 GMT

What if we started looking at generating our net profit by the foot rather than the acre? Sounds strange, I know it does especially for a science-based mind like mine; I’ve never been accused of having a great imagination!

Of recent however, I have been attending meetings, conferences and even field days that seem to suggest a change in how we seek profit in the near future! What if we began looking at the parity in production by the foot rather than the acre?

Think about it! With all of the technology in nutrient testing and soil health, seed placement, positioning characteristics of genetic traits, the sophistication of our equipment… nowadays we can be prescriptive with nearly all features of production right down to the foot!

We can take the layer of yield data and qualify our production opportunity by the foot. We can analyze our soil characteristics and soil health by the foot. We can assess the environment in which we are going to plant into very well, so why can’t we take advantage of this and apply our inputs to coordinate all aspects of production to produce the greatest outcome?

Consider this... we know that practically every field has varying degrees of production opportunity, maximum yield potential with some greater than others. In fact, there may be some spots in the field that we shouldn’t even plant! We now have the technology on the planter to evaluate the soil on the fly and variable rate the nutrition based on demand and maximum opportunity. What if we did the same with our Crop Protection based on soil type or noted trouble spots? What if we positioned our seed population based on environment, soil characteristics and yield potential, even switch seed varieties on the go from heavier soils that have greater opportunity than sandier soil that may require a hybrid more suitable for dryer conditions?

What if we variable rate our starters, topdress, sidedress and foliar materials based on similar data features... what if we could even adjust our irrigation from one emitter to another? The concept is what if we could assess, apply and quantify most aspects of production and adjust all production inputs to maximize our net return on investment?

Sound far-fetched? Well I’m not the only one with these thoughts, in fact the thought isn’t an original of mine but an expansion of a seed that was placed in my head by more recent events. There has even been some research conducted with some of this in mind, particularly on the nutrient and seed inputs.

One such case study was conducted comparing Historical Methods and Site Specific Management with the crop focus on corn. The data demonstrated a 10 bushel per acre increase in the average yield with the net profit on the Historical aces of $17.12 per acre while the Site Specific acre generated $177.14 per acre. The net ROI on the Historical acre was 2.7%, while the Site Specific acre was 28.4%. The Non-profitable acres in the Historical data set was 27% while the Non-Profitable acres on the Site Specific acres was only 3%.

When you think of it much of the necessary data and equipment is already available, all we need to do is put together all the information that we have into a Prescriptive Action Plan: a plan to be profitable on every acre!

Visionary... not so much but a realist I am to the core. The days of generating profit by simply cutting cost is over! Success in the future, is going to require looking at every foot of every acre and applying all our expenditures for maximum effectiveness!

Prescriptive application of highly effective inputs is something NACHURS has been doing for ages; it’s just of recent that through the innovation of other production sciences we in Agriculture are now able to put all the pieces together for the benefit of net profit!

Finish What You Started

Mon, 06 Aug 2018 08:08:00 GMT

In much of the southern US, harvest has begun or many farms are laid by, but in other areas there is still plenty of crop management yet to go. The purpose of this week’s blog is to remind everyone don’t quit too soon and Finish what You Started.

Peak demand for moisture and plant nutrition is at or near its greatest demand during late season growth stages. Below are some thoughts and observations we have learned over the years to maximize late season potential and nutrient management.

Although roughly half of the nitrogen required by soybean plants comes from the soil, these plants also need to fix nitrogen through nodulation, known as nitrogen fixation. Since a soybean plant is a legume, healthy and active nodules should populate the roots. We like to dig roots throughout the growing season to give us a snapshot of plant health, growth, and development. A healthy soybean root will have a load of nodules. These nodules should be nice and pink inside and there should be a lot of them. To enhance late season nitrogen production and to improve the odds of enhanced yield, many producers choose to add SRN to their fungicide application. NACHURS N-Rage Max, applied during pod fill, has proven to be a profitable practice. In your fungicide solution, including one to two gallons of NACHURS N-Rage Max can quickly translocate throughout the plant, feeding it a last minute shot of nitrogen over a period of days. We’ve seen this practice raise yield potential by igniting a flood of nitrogen within the plant, boosting energy and proteins.
Another key element during flowering and pod development is potassium. If you have ever seen your leaves, on any crop, begin to turn yellow around the margins and migrate inward late in-season during flowering, odds are you are seeing a potassium deficiency. Most crops are a sink for potassium at this growth stage and can benefit from an available source of K. NACHURS K-fuel, powered by Bio-K, has proven to be an excellent source for late season potassium when foliar applied. With our newer, higher yielding hybrids and varieties, we are using and removing much more potassium than just 8 – 10 years ago. We have received more calls and inquiries regarding soybean, corn, cotton, alfalfa, etc turning yellow toward the end of the season than ever before. Know the difference between nitrogen and potassium deficiencies. They are different. There are many reasons for this… including higher pH soils tying up not only phosphate but potassium as well. Higher yields we are harvesting are using and removing more K than ever before. Our seeding rates have also increased, leaving a deficit amount of plant food for the number of plants and yield potential in the ground. If you need to address low potassium levels late season, consider adding NACHURS K-fuel to your fungicide application on any crop or with your mepiquat application in cotton.
We have customers who combine NACHURS N-Rage Max with NACHURS K-fuel to get a greater bang for their buck.

Bottom line is, don’t quit too early and miss an opportunity to Finish what You Started. We’ve invested too much time, expense, effort, and stress to not try and put our crop over the top, especially if you have a crop that has potential of being good to excellent. Give your NACHURS dealer a call, contact one of us, or log onto www.nachurs.com for more details and information.

Blessings for a Profitable and Safe Harvest

Stress Control

Wed, 18 Jul 2018 08:45:00 GMT

The same thing that takes years off of your life can take bushels off of your crop. Sometimes there is nothing you can do to control it and sometimes you cause the problem all by yourself. I am talking about stress. We all know that the doctors tell us heart disease is stress related. We should eat a balanced diet, guard against stress to live a happy healthy life. The same can be said for your crops. Proper nutrition and limiting stress equals yield!!! As an agronomist, it is my job to have a plan to control the stresses we’ll encounter during the growing season, from fertility to weeds, and planting to insect pests. Then MOTHER NATURE comes along and brings stress into your life. Just ask my neighbors 3 miles to the west of me. They are in the process of rebuilding after Mother Nature removed the roof off of their house.

Crops are always fighting off weather related stresses, from drought to flooding, frost to heat stress, and wind to hail crops fight it all. The same way stress causes humans to get sick, stress induces disease in crops. There are a couple things you can do to fight back. The NACHURS Rhyzo-Link line of products is the best way to be proactive. Rhyzo-Link is the combination of NACHURS high quality fertilizer and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRs). PGPRs offer several biological benefits which lead to healthier, stronger plants, with larger root systems that are able to handle stress better. Details can be found on the website at nachurs.com if you have to act in a more reactionary manner to stress events such as hail damage. Foliar feeding with Rhyzo-Link or our NACHURS Finish Line foliar product helps to control stress induced ethylene production and get plants back to normal growth and production. Getting back to normal as soon as possible is key to limiting yield robbing disease.

When Mother Nature causes stress in our lives make sure you have been proactive and have a good plan in place.

Do you have an Antagonistic Soil?

Tue, 10 Jul 2018 10:26:00 GMT

Recently, I spoke with an industry expert that complained that all they really want from a soil sample is to tell them what nutrients to apply. In a perfect world a farmer or consultant could do just that. However, in the real world truly understanding how your crop will respond to fertilization requires much more than a lab-based fertility recommendation.

Obviously, soil samples tell us about the nutrient level of our soil. The good soil samples can also tell us about how applied nutrients may react in our soils. Remember that all commercial fertilizers are chemicals that are subject to a chain of reactions when applied to the soil. How they react depends on the soil environment – or we could say dependent on soil health.

One factor that affects the chemical reactions in the soil is soil pH. Usually the most desirable range is just below neutral, in the 6.2-6.8 range. Extremes in soil pH make it more likely that many essential nutrients will form insoluble compounds and become unavailable to our growing crops.

Another essential piece of information is reported as Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC). This reading is indicative of the soils ability to hold nutrients. Generally, soils with higher CEC have the ability to retain more nutrients. Another term Percent Base Saturation refers to the portion of available nutrient exchange sites occupied by a given ion (potassium – K; magnesium – Mg; or calcium – Ca). Having an imbalance whereby one of these ions is in overabundance may lead to chemical reactions causing fertilizer to be unavailable.

Having a soil that measures outside of optimum range for pH, CEC, and Percent Base Saturation is an indication that your soil health is less than optimum. Also, it is an indication that your field is comprised of a potentially antagonistic soil.

Using Rhyzo-Link and Bio-K fertility products are one way to overcome soil antagonists. Rhyzo-Link provides the greatest amount of beneficial soil bacteria available on the market. These bacteria aid with a host of beneficial soil processes which increase nutrient exchange and ultimately plant and soil health. Additionally, our Bio-K products provide a soil environment which buffers pH in the nutrient exchange zone and provides a fuel source for beneficial soil microbes.

Understanding that fertilization is more than just apply a certain amount of nutrients is essential for maximum results. The source of fertility you choose affects the soil environment which may improve soil health and overall crop performance.

Stimulating nutrient uptake with NACHURS Finish Line and how it works!

Thu, 28 Jun 2018 14:18:00 GMT

I know I've said so many times before efficiencies are not exact.

Efficiencies are dependent upon environmental factors, moisture, temperature, physiological maturity of the crop, and the current health of the crop. When we apply a foliar application we are targeting a plant stimulation of nutrient uptake from the soil through the roots. This is how we see a small amount of crop nutrition applied on the foliage respond very similarly to a larger soil application of the same nutrients. The foliage is one of the most efficient ways to drive small amounts of nutrients into the plant. The roots are where the majority of all nutrients are absorbed and some have to be extracted from the soil. Depending on the variables I mentioned earlier determines the soil's willingness to cooperate with the normal exudates from the plant (exudates are natural compounds manufactured by the plant and excreted through the roots, some of these compounds have a low pH and will help solubilize nutrients bound to soil particles). In other words the soil has its fair share of drama. When crop nutrition is applied on the foliage and is in the available form the plant will absorb (if the timing is correct), the plant will start the production of metabolites and exudates that promote the uptake of the target nutrients along with other nutrients that are associated with current plant functions it is trying to execute.

There is always room for NACHURS Finish Line®.

NACHURS Finish Line® was engineered with the latest technology for plant uptake of nutrients and tank mix compatibility. When applied during mid to late vegetative stages on into mid reproductive stages we can consistently see a positive ROI.

NACHURS Finish Line® is an improved foliar nutritional product comprised of essential plant nutrients, two forms of phosphate molecules, fully chelated micronutrients, surfactants, compatibility agents, and organic acids as well as the latest in potassium uptake technology, Bio-K®. NACHURS Finish Line® is manufactured with the highest quality raw materials on the market today, which once absorbed by the plant helps to promote a healthier plant and root system, and ultimately helps to improve crop productivity. NACHURS Finish Line is well adapted to all cropping and management systems, including but not limited to row crops, vegetables, fruit, tree, and turf/ornamentals.

Side-Dress and Foliar Opportunities

Tue, 12 Jun 2018 11:13:00 GMT

We are now moving into June and Mother Nature has had her fun delaying planting in some parts of the country. I talked with people from the north ( i.e. Montana, North Dakota and Minnesota) a week ago and they were just wrapping up corn planting due to wet conditions. Across the corn belt most crops are growing and really looking pretty good. Recent rains have been very welcome here in Nebraska and Iowa.

Producers are side-dressing nitrogen and post spraying herbicides. I have been promoting NACHURS K-fuse with side-dress nitrogen applications and NACHURS Finish Line with post herbicide applications at 1 qt per acre. NACHURS K-Fuse is a 6-0-12-12 formulation of NACHURS Bio-K and sulfur. This was developed to mix with UAN at concentrations higher than you could with products like potassium thiosulfate. In some areas of the country our soil’s potassium and sulfur levels have been dropping over the last 20 + years. Research is showing that this combination of Bio-K and sulfur along with proprietary ingredients has been boosting yields and could be the next step to consistently reaching ever closer to 300+ bu/A.

NACHURS Finish Line is an 8-4-6 (NPK) with boron, copper, manganese and zinc. This NPK and micronutrient combination gives your crops the boost they need at important times during the growing season. We use fully chelated micronutrients so that they don’t get tied up with chemical bonds from crop protection products. This product mixes easily with a wide variety of crop protection has been on the market for 4 years with a proven, positive return on investment. Foliar feeding works despite what you may hear from various universities. New technologies and plant available forms of nutrients have made NACHURS Finish Line a virtual no brainer. Don’t miss the opportunity to add to the top end of yields.

There are always challenges when it comes to farming. We face these challenges every year by having a plan and trying to limit the variables that we encounter. At NACHURS we are continually working to find new efficient ways to make the best technologically advanced fertilizer in the industry. There is a difference. NACHURS has products you can believe in.

#plant18 Update

Mon, 04 Jun 2018 12:00:00 GMT

Planting is complete and sprayers, nitrogen bars and top dress units are busy; in some geographies and on some crops harvest has begun.

This is one of my favorite times of the year. This is the time we begin to see and understand the fruits of our labor as well as take in all the lessons the field has to offer. It’s the time of the year agronomists and growers alike get to see firsthand how their programs, techniques and new technologies have added opportunity to their standard methods of production.

A great example of this is a few weeks back. I was working in SW Georgia where I met up with Luke Johnson of Walther Farms and we were taking a look at some of their potato acres there that have two of our newest technologies added to their practice: NACHURS Rhyzo-Link and NACHURS K-fuel.

We walked out into the fields and performed a number of test digs to see what was going on in the rhizosphere in terms of plant health, tuber development and count; what we found was quite interesting!

First of all we found a good deal of difference in the root mass and the number of tubers set where the Rhyzo-Link and NACHURS K-fuel were added. The root mass was significantly more robust and in that area where the soils are very sandy and the phosphorus availability is challenged the larger more robust root system can be a good benefit where nutrient mineralization and assimilation as well as water use in concerned.

Another interesting find was that where the Rhyzo-Link and NACHURS K-fuel were used the seed piece was still intact!

Where the standard treatment was being used the seed piece had rotted or was rotting away but where the Rhyzo-Link and NACHURS K-fuel were applied the seed piece was free of disease and appeared undamaged. This was certainly something that I hadn’t anticipated finding but yet found quite interesting. I surmised that improving the rhizosphere with beneficial rhizobacteria (PGPR) can lend secondary value by improving the overall health of the rhizosphere. It would seem that the beneficial rhizobacteria, through competition and antagonism, may have suppressed the non-beneficial influences.

At the time of my field visit I also noticed that there were still more small tubers that had initiated and were developing. We didn’t pluck them off of the plant to count but it’s quite possible that some of those will be large enough to count when harvest time is upon us!

I’m finding a number of areas where the proper placement of rhizobacteria is offering opportunity into our production and a great way to see it all expressed is in the field. It’s a great reminder that setting the stage or initiating the opportunity must be supported throughout the year. Once you develop a good sound foundation (root system) you have established the opportunity and can then build the crop and push it to new levels.

If you’re not currently doing a lot of field scouting or follow up on plating and crop development, I encourage you to do so; Mother Nature is an incredible teacher! There are lessons to be learned in the field, it’s where theory, new technology and practice meet the reality of production. It’s where we as professionals get to see the benefit of new products expressed and receive further education that adds value to our industry.

The NACHURS Rhyzo-Link and NACHURS Bio-K lines of products are adding value to crops by way of improved yield, quality and return on investment. If you want to learn more about these two product lines you can click the product tab at www.nachurs.com or contact your nearest Dealer or NACHURS representative.

Nutrient Demands and Deficiencies

Tue, 29 May 2018 13:35:00 GMT

All plants, whether it be corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, cranberries, or canola, require nutrients for proper growth and development. About 90-95% of plant dry matter is composed of carbon, hydrogen, and/or oxygen. The remaining 5-10% is obtained from the soil and/or from fertilizer supplied by the farmer. We all understand the importance of Primary Nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) in achieving production goals that are set each year. However, we often forget the importance of Secondary Nutrients (calcium, magnesium, sulfur) and Micronutrients (boron, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, zinc) in the overall process of plant growth and development. Although these nutrients are required in much smaller quantities, they are essential for completion of many physiological cycles and processes within the plant. In many cases, plants cannot fully utilize primary nutrients without adequate supplies of secondary and/or micronutrients supplied at the appropriate time. Below is a listing of functions these nutrients provide within the plant.

Most of the Secondary and Micronutrients can be provided to plants in a chelated form with the exception of sulfur, boron, and molybdenum. Chelation allows nutrients to remain available to the plant even if environmental conditions are less than optimal. There are many forms of chelates that can be used, ranging from EDTA, citric acid, amino acids, and organic acids just to name a few. In general, EDTA chelates are by far the most stable and are the only form that can be safely added to true, clear NPK solutions (i.e. NACHURS orthophosphates). NACHURS Micronutrients (9% Zn, 6% Mn, 4.5% Fe, 3% Ca, 2.5% Mg, 7.5% Cu, 10% Boron) offer a wide range of uses under a vast array of growing environments. Ask for NACHURS Micronutrients today from your local NACHURS dealer so YOU don’t get left behind!

Slow Release Nitrogen

Mon, 21 May 2018 13:28:00 GMT

Joe Pflum, NACHURS Agronomist, speaks about slow release nitrogen in this latest vlog.

Timing and Efficiency of Foliar Applications

Mon, 14 May 2018 09:07:00 GMT

Keith Flaniken, NACHURS Agronomist, speaks about timing and efficiency of foliar applications.

NACHURS Finish Line: Powered by Bio-K

Mon, 07 May 2018 08:47:00 GMT

NACHURS Agronomist Keith Flaniken talks about NACHURS Finish Line in this latest VLOG.

Powered by NACHURS Bio-K: the most effective and efficient source of K
Unique micronutrient enriched premium foliar fertilizer
Contains proprietary organic acids, compatibility agents and higher level of micronutrients
Provides a significant return on investment when used on all crops

An Overview on Foliar Feeding

Mon, 30 Apr 2018 08:17:00 GMT

Greg Bame of NACHURS Technical Services gives an overview on foliar feeding in this latest VLOG.

Solubility

Wed, 25 Apr 2018 10:40:00 GMT

NACHURS Agronomist Joe Pflum talks about solubility in this latest VLOG.

Salt Index

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Mon, 16 Apr 2018 12:45:00 GMT

NACHURS Agronomist Joe Pflum explains salt index in this latest NACHURS VLOG.

Rhyzo-Link: Rise to your Potential

Tue, 10 Apr 2018 08:38:00 GMT

Jay Castleman talks about NACHURS Rhyzo-Link technology in this latest VLOG.

Phosphorus Placement and Efficiency

Tue, 03 Apr 2018 10:06:00 GMT

NACHURS Agronomist Joe Pflum talks about phosphorus placement and efficiency. The availability of phosphorus is critical during early growth to get crops off to a quick and healthy start.

Balanced Nutrition and EDTA Chelates

Tue, 27 Mar 2018 12:40:00 GMT

NACHURS Agronomist Keith Flaniken speaks about Liebig's Law and the importance of balanced nutrition:

Greg Bame of NACHURS Technical Services speaks about chelation:

Ortho versus Poly and Phosphorus Placement

Mon, 19 Mar 2018 02:21:00 GMT

What is orthophosphate and polyphosphate? Orthophosphate fertilizers are immediately available to your crops. Darin Blank explains phosphates in this latest NACHURS Vlog:

The availability of phosphorus is critical during early growth to get the crop off to a quick and healthy start. Darin explains Phosphorus placement:

YaraVita PROCOTE and NACHURS playmaKer

Mon, 12 Mar 2018 10:45:00 GMT

YaraVita Procote:

Innovative range of oil suspension micronutrient coatings for dry fertilizer.
Provides even distribution of the micronutrient while virtually eliminating fertilizer dust.
Most efficient form of micronutrients versus granular or powder coatings.

NACHURS playmaKer, powered by Bio-K:

Premium liquid high potassium fertilizer with a unique analysis containing NACHURS Bio-K.
Very safe and versatile on sensitive crops.
Most tank-mix compatible NPK fertilizer on the market.

Bio-K Products: NACHURS K-fuel and NACHURS K-flex

Mon, 05 Mar 2018 12:25:00 GMT

NACHURS K-fuel, powered by Bio-K:
Highest concentration of Bio-K® technology in the industry
Contains a versatile source of K for growers requiring higher K levels
Allows applications of K during critical growth stages, maximizing yield potential

NACHURS K-flex, powered by Bio-K:
Most versatile Bio-K® technology product available
Compatible with 10-34-0, UAN, and liquid urea
Allows applications of K & S during critical growth stages maximizing yield potential

Bio-K Products: NACHURS imPulse and NACHURS Triple Option

Mon, 26 Feb 2018 08:30:00 GMT

NACHURS imPulse, powered by Bio-K:

Provides corn growers quick and uniform plant emergence
Improved early season plant health
Ultimately results in maximizing yield potential

NACHURS Triple Option, powered by Bio-K:

Premium NPK fertilizer with 100% orthophosphate
Also contains S
Versatile in-furrow or foliar nutrition offering crop growers rapid nutrient uptake

NACHURS Bio-K

Mon, 19 Feb 2018 08:21:00 GMT

A premium source of potassium fertilizer combined with a natural plant metabolite
Most effective and efficient source of potassium
Increased plant health and plant vigor resulting in maximum yield potential

What is SOIL HEALTH?

Mon, 12 Feb 2018 15:16:00 GMT

Without question, if nothing else, all of us in Agriculture have two things in common: we all grow something and we’re all striving for the best return on our investment!

One of my first questions I put to new customers is what are your objectives with your crop this season and what do you see as your obstacles between the crop and your goal? Well as you might imagine the answers are varied and specific to geography and the crop that is being grown. One answer that I wait for but rarely hear is “a healthy soil”.

The reason I look for that is because of the influence a “healthy soil” has on production and the efficiency of nearly all of our inputs. Let me explain but first let’s define what “soil health” is or at least what years of being in the field has taught me what it means.

Soil health is influenced by many things such as: soil structure, soil organic matter, soil pH, nutrient supply and balance, exchange properties, applied chemistry and biological health. It’s a synergistic existence between all of these production influences and our Agronomic practices. If we manage each well then we guard ourselves from limiting factors and we have created and opportunity for maximum production.

Take for instance soil structure! Soil structure has a tremendous influence on nutrient retention and exchange, soil porosity and the exchange of oxygen in the root zone, the fixation and conversion of nitrogen and nutrient migration to name a few.

Soil organic matter has great ability to hold nutrient, act as a soil buffer a great source of carbon and a nurturing environment for soil biology.

Soil pH is the gatekeeper where resident nutrient solubility is concerned and one of the first places we work on when creating a soil environment focused on efficient nutrient exchange.

Nutrient supply and balance is important not only so we can meet the nutrient requirement of the crop but more so to promote efficient exchange of the soil resident nutrients. Over presence of one nutrient can act as an antagonist or interfere with the effective uptake of another.

Applied pesticides or sterilants can impact soil health! Over use or misuse can lead to unwanted metabolite residues and destruction of soil biology.

Biological health, what many don’t realize, is that this is the gatekeeper or at least has great influence on all of the above. Truly, in crop production we have ignored probably the most important part of a heathy soil in years past. We have taken steps to reduce tillage and use cover crops and we apply far less soil applied chemistry today and this has helped greatly but we are finally paying attention to all of the unpaid workers in our operation: the soil biology.

Different species of biology reside in our soil and play very important roles in water and nutrient acquisition and assimilation, the health of the rhizosphere, influence on plant growth and plant health. Biology can even help a plant manage stress and tolerate the negative impact of pests and disease. This knowledge isn’t necessarily new but how we support soil biological health is.

NACHURS is a leader in this race, bringing valued biological products into the market. Products that add efficiency and in the end a healthier soil, a stronger crop and a better return on your overall investment. Our Rhyzo-Link line of products focus on those objectives and provide a variety of ways to introduce specialized biology into your treatment program.

Rhyzo-Link is a highly specialized package consisting of our high quality core nutrients which are then fortified with our Bio-K Technology and packaged with a highly specialized biological consortium . This product is BUILT with PURPOSE !

This HIGHLY SPECIALIZED CONSORTIM, as I call it, is an All Start Team of pure cultured, highly populated rhizobacteria tested and handpicked for their ability each individually and for the added value of their synergistic ability they bring into crop production.

This consortium can help crops acquire nutrients from the soil, even some nutrients that have been fixed for years. This consortium can help crops build bigger and healthier root systems which will in turn allow for a more effective acquisition and use of water and soil resident nutrient. This consortium can also trigger systemic responses in the plant that will impact stress mitigation and resist damage from disease and insects feeding. This consortium will support plant health and ultimately result in maximizing production opportunity and the efficient use of dollars spent.

Of all the big things that we work so hard on and do where crop production is concerned, it may all come down to a little more focus on the small things: the microbiology that brings it all together. Rhyzo-Link products, linking technology into the layers of crop production.

For more information on our NACHURS Rhyzo-Link products contact your nearest District Sales Manager, Sales Agronomist or visit our website at www.nachurs.com .

Tanker Transport Prep

Mon, 05 Feb 2018 08:09:00 GMT

The purpose of these guidelines is to provide our customers the cleanest, highest quality N-P-K products that they have ordered and expect.

Tanker transporters haul many different materials and we suggest the following tanker cleaning guidelines for those preparing to transport NACHURS N-P-K liquid fertilizers:

SAFETY FIRST
Please follow all safety guidelines/procedures when cleaning your tankers or when entering any confined space(s):

Drain all existing material out of:
- Tank
- Hoses and pumps
Completely clean out any solid materials off of the bottom of the tank.
- Hauling some materials for a period of time may cause them to settle
After cleaning settled out materials and additional liquid in the tank:
- Completely FLUSH out tank(s), line(s) and pump(s) with water and drain, especially if they have been transporting UAN (28% - 32%) materials

BY FOLLOWING THESE GUIDELINES:

Avoid having contamination issues or problems for our valued customers and yourself.
Gives both your customers and NACHURS the highest quality products and the trucking service that they expect.
Peace of mind for future deliveries with your Transport Service.

These are general recommendations. Please consult with your NACHURS District Sales Manager or Agronomist for additional/specific recommendations.

Don't Just Use UAN or Poly and Not Consider Potassium

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 08:00:00 GMT

2018 plans and preparations are occurring at a fast and furious pace across the country. Planting will begin in southern Texas and southern Florida as early as next week. Millions of gallons of nitrogen are being secured for pre- planting, top dressing, deep placement, and side dressing. At the same time, our agronomy phones have been ringing in recent weeks seeking advice on preserving or increasing potassium levels as more and more producers are seeing low K levels, potassium deficiencies, and below expected crop performance issues.

Adding potassium to nitrogen has always been an issue…until now.

If you want/need to improve your K levels and employ the convenience of applying it with your liquid UAN, there are options that will yield results. If you have been tracking or following NACHURS the last several years, we have talked a lot about Bio-K and the improved results of incorporating Bio-K into your liquid nutrient management program. Especially with 10-34-0, 11-37-0 and now UAN.

NACHURS line of Bio-K blends and products range from full NPK starters, foliar blends, and deep placement products to partnering with UAN and poly based material.

NACHURS flagship Bio-K product is NACHURS K-fuel. This 0-0-24 potassium acetate form of potassium has many applications. It has proven over the past 5 – 6 years to be best source of K to translocate into the plant and provide much needed K when and where it’s needed, especially late in season during flowering when K levels fall out or all that is available has been used up by the plant. That is the worse time for a plant to run out of potassium. Potassium is in its greatest demand during flowering in most crops.

The newest member of the NACHURS Bio-K family is NACHURS K-fuse. NACHURS K-fuse is a 6-0-12-12S Bio-K product made for use with UAN and even poly material. It will remain in solution and provide an excellent source of potassium when blended with UAN32 at ratios as low as 4:1. That’s 4 gallons UAN32 to 1 gallon NACHURS K-fuse.

If you want to do it right, include NACHURS K-fuse when you topdress your winter wheat, oats, etc. If you want to do it right, include NACHURS K-fuse when you sidedress corn or other crops with UAN. If you want to do it right, include NACHURS K-fuse with your 2x2 systems when using 10-34-0 or 11-37-0.

Don’t overlook an economically feasible and profitable opportunity to boost your nitrogen applications by excluding a form of potassium in NACHURS K-fuse that will enhance production, plant health, plant growth, and root development. Don’t overlook the opportunity to turn your 2x2 poly application into a true NPK. Get in touch with one of us. We can truly help make your nutrient management program better!

Successfully

-Keith

NACHURS Fertilizer Spring Prep

Wed, 24 Jan 2018 09:13:00 GMT

If you have stored NACHURS Liquid Fertilizer over the winter there are a couple of steps that can be performed to make sure that the stored product is ready for spring use:

Blow air into the bottom of the tank and "bubble" the tank to circulate the product.
You can introduce fresh product into your tank if space allows to mix the product in the tank.

NACHURS is a quality solution based fertilizer that only needs minimal agitation and circulation to have the product ready for use after winter.

Merry Christmas!

Mon, 25 Dec 2017 16:44:00 GMT

Your family at NACHURS would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! If you would like to receive a complimentary NACHURS 2018 Calendar please contact: Becky Worley- worleyb@nachurs.com or call Toll Free (800) 622-4877 ext 233

NCAA

Mon, 18 Dec 2017 10:23:00 GMT

Like a lot of guys and girls, I am a sports fan. This past weekend I had the opportunity to experience the NCAA final 4 in women’s volleyball. There are a lot of good athletes across the country but the top teams always seem to float to the surface. The same goes for college football and basketball. Certain programs create teams that over achieve and rise to that championship level. The coaches and program leaders have found the key to being the perennial powerhouse. Nick Saban at Alabama football has it, Geno Auriemma at the helm of U Conn women’s basketball has it, and Nebraska volleyball coach John Cook has got it. These coaches have developed their own systems which develop winners. The list could go on and on as there are many great coaches who are learning the secrets and competing at a very high level. Great teams don’t copy the good teams, they innovate new ways of doing things. They overcome outside challenges and internal strife. They have each other’s backs.

We watch this competition as entertainment, but companies are in competition for your business every day. NACHURS liquid fertilizer has been the elite competitor for N, P, K starter fertilizers, foliar feeds, and micronutrients since 1946. There are many fertilizer companies making similar products and selling them cheap. From the beginning NACHURS fertilizer has used the best raw materials to create top of the line products. We have top notch employees working in very diverse jobs from support staff to sales, industrial to agriculture. Top to bottom we are creating a product we can be proud of and stand behind. Not all fertilizer companies can say that. There are new technologies and products coming to the market and NACHURS is leading the charge with Bio-K, Rhyzo-Link, Aqua-Tech and Procote from Yara. A true championship team doesn’t just copy the greats. There is a reason NACHURS might be a little more expensive; we are leaders and we compete. Ask why we are different, I hope you have time for the answer.

Competition is great for everybody involved, and those that compete at the highest level can be truly inspirational. Don’t just settle for good enough.

Increasing crop yield to feed the world, RESPONSIBLY!

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Mon, 11 Dec 2017 08:00:00 GMT

The word Agriculture is a large word in terms of its meaning to the person reading it. For those in urban areas not directly tied to agriculture, it means having food availability at the local market or grocery store to feed their family. For those involved in the agriculture services sector, it means taking products grown on the farm/ranch, transforming them through manufacturing and processing for eventual distribution at the local store or market. For the farmer and rancher, it means growing crops and livestock to support not only their family, but for people all over the world regardless where you live or what your job description is. The weight of future generations is on their shoulders to provide food for a growing population, but at the same time, doing it in a responsible or sustainable manner. How do we do that? Can it be done? The answer is YES we can. Speaking specifically to plant fertility, they require balanced nutrition just as humans do. Plant growth and development (which ultimately relates to yield) relies on hormone cycles, enzyme activation, and complex physiological processes. Planting a corn seed in a field or a tomato plant in a pot on a patio will not grow properly without adequate nutrition. Farmers and ranchers of today are expected to feed the world in an environment of shrinking cultivatable land mass and changing global climate conditions. At some point in time, the resources needed to do this will become more limited. They are expected to do more with less. This is where responsible choices enter the picture in order to protect the environment, both now and in the future. International Plant Nutrient Institute (IPNI) started an initiative years ago to promote good nutrient management practices regardless if in Africa, Brazil, Thailand, or Texas. This is known as the 4R’s of Nutrient Stewardship, which promotes the Right Source, at the Right Time, in the Right Place and at the Right Rate. NACHURS® as a company was founded on these very principles in 1946 to provide quality liquid fertility solutions for use at planting, at low rates when the young growing plant needs immediate access to available food. Gone should be the days of over application of irrigation water and/or low availability fertilizer at times when the plant cannot adequately utilize it. Excessive tillage leads to lower organic carbon levels due to oxidation, fragmented soil structure, and reduced biological activity, which all leads to less water holding capacity. This leads to environmental concerns, more governmental regulations, and is simply not being a good steward of the available resources we have at our disposal. With the outlook of having to do/feed more with less, what solutions can NACHURS offer? The technologies are called Rhyzo-Link® and Bio-K®. NACHURS Rhyzo-Link solutions are a combination of high quality NPK liquid fertilizer with a contained microbial component for improved plant growth, greater root biomass, and elevated tolerance to biotic/abiotic stress, which all leads to increased yield. It also improves quality traits of the crop it’s being used on (i.e. forage protein, tuber size, fruit firmness, etc.). By using this in-furrow at planting, it provides greater chance of root colonialization by beneficial bacteria (Bacillus ssp.) with known attributes and traits to promote sustainable plant growth and higher nutrient use efficiency. The second option for improved sustainability practices in regards to plant fertility is with NACHURS Bio-K. I travel across all parts of North America presenting to various groups about the importance of potassium in plant nutrition. This includes growers of (but not limited to) almond, alfalfa, corn, soybean, turf grass, cane berries, watermelon, tomato, cotton, sugar beet, dry bean, and potato. When you think of plant nutrients, your mind most likely immediately goes to nitrogen. We all know that nitrogen is important, but potassium is just as important. What one does not realize is that many crops (some included above) take up more potassium than nitrogen. Nitrogen use in the U.S. has risen over the past 30 years while potassium use has declined. Crop yields have not risen at a proportional rate to that of nitrogen use. In fact, too much applied nitrogen will cause plants to decrease its uptake of potassium, which would have a dramatic effect on the plants ability to fight off disease and drought stress. Over this same period of time, potassium content in the soil has decreased as well. This is due to higher yielding crops and low (or none) potassium application rates. This equates to lower nutrient use efficiency and overall plant performance as compared to what it could be with having adequate potassium levels. Potassium is the only plant nutrient that does not become part of a specific plant structure and/or compound, as it remains in the fluid parts of the plant to serve in nutrient transport, ionic balance, enzyme/hormone activation, water relations, etc. The common disconnect for most people (farmers as well) is that most of the potassium is returned to the soil contained in stalks, leaves, fodder, stems, etc. Over time, these plant structures will decay and return nutrients to the soil for use by future plants. We also know exactly when plants require each nutrient and how it is partitioned in the plant. In order for a plant to function properly, potassium must be present and available when these uptake spikes take place. This is where the Right Sourcepart of the 4R’s comes into play. Out of the three primary nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium), potassium is the only one that has at least two dozen different choices to pick from for use as a plant nutrient. They all vary greatly in solubility, availability, salt content, efficiency, and deliquescence characteristics, just to name a few. NACHURS Bio-K combines all the aspects of a soluble, available plant nutrient coupled with the benefits of an organic acid (carbon), thus making a truly unique potassium acetate based compound. The organic acid portion of NACHURS Bio-K acts as microbial stimulant when applied to the soil, providing an available carbon source to support bacterial propagation and root colonization. In the plant, NACHURS Bio-K provides a base for many primary and secondary metabolites that aid in growth, moisture retention, wax deposition, oil production, osmotic relations, and many more functions. This all leads to a greater chance for the said plant to reach its given genetic potential. These two new technologies from NACHURS are true definitions of what it means to provide sustainable plant growth and nutrient stewardship to help feed the world for future generations.

Speaking specifically to plant fertility, they require balanced nutrition just as humans do. Plant growth and development (which ultimately relates to yield) relies on hormone cycles, enzyme activation, and complex physiological processes. Planting a corn seed in a field or a tomato plant in a pot on a patio will not grow properly without adequate nutrition. Farmers and ranchers of today are expected to feed the world in an environment of shrinking cultivatable land mass and changing global climate conditions. At some point in time, the resources needed to do this will become more limited. They are expected to do more with less. This is where responsible choices enter the picture in order to protect the environment, both now and in the future.

NACHURS Rhyzo-Link solutions are a combination of high quality NPK liquid fertilizer with a contained microbial component for improved plant growth, greater root biomass, and elevated tolerance to biotic/abiotic stress, which all leads to increased yield. It also improves quality traits of the crop it’s being used on (i.e. forage protein, tuber size, fruit firmness, etc.). By using this in-furrow at planting, it provides greater chance of root colonialization by beneficial bacteria ( Bacillus ssp .) with known attributes and traits to promote sustainable plant growth and higher nutrient use efficiency.

The second option for improved sustainability practices in regards to plant fertility is with NACHURS Bio-K . I travel across all parts of North America presenting to various groups about the importance of potassium in plant nutrition. This includes growers of (but not limited to) almond, alfalfa, corn, soybean, turf grass, cane berries, watermelon, tomato, cotton, sugar beet, dry bean, and potato. When you think of plant nutrients, your mind most likely immediately goes to nitrogen. We all know that nitrogen is important, but potassium is just as important. What one does not realize is that many crops (some included above) take up more potassium than nitrogen. Nitrogen use in the U.S. has risen over the past 30 years while potassium use has declined. Crop yields have not risen at a proportional rate to that of nitrogen use. In fact, too much applied nitrogen will cause plants to decrease its uptake of potassium, which would have a dramatic effect on the plants ability to fight off disease and drought stress. Over this same period of time, potassium content in the soil has decreased as well. This is due to higher yielding crops and low (or none) potassium application rates. This equates to lower nutrient use efficiency and overall plant performance as compared to what it could be with having adequate potassium levels.

Potassium is the only plant nutrient that does not become part of a specific plant structure and/or compound, as it remains in the fluid parts of the plant to serve in nutrient transport, ionic balance, enzyme/hormone activation, water relations, etc. The common disconnect for most people (farmers as well) is that most of the potassium is returned to the soil contained in stalks, leaves, fodder, stems, etc. Over time, these plant structures will decay and return nutrients to the soil for use by future plants. We also know exactly when plants require each nutrient and how it is partitioned in the plant. In order for a plant to function properly, potassium must be present and available when these uptake spikes take place. This is where the Right Source part of the 4R’s comes into play.

Out of the three primary nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium), potassium is the only one that has at least two dozen different choices to pick from for use as a plant nutrient. They all vary greatly in solubility, availability, salt content, efficiency, and deliquescence characteristics, just to name a few. NACHURS Bio-K combines all the aspects of a soluble, available plant nutrient coupled with the benefits of an organic acid (carbon), thus making a truly unique potassium acetate based compound. The organic acid portion of NACHURS Bio-K acts as microbial stimulant when applied to the soil, providing an available carbon source to support bacterial propagation and root colonization. In the plant, NACHURS Bio-K provides a base for many primary and secondary metabolites that aid in growth, moisture retention, wax deposition, oil production, osmotic relations, and many more functions. This all leads to a greater chance for the said plant to reach its given genetic potential.

These two new technologies from NACHURS are true definitions of what it means to provide sustainable plant growth and nutrient stewardship to help feed the world for future generations.

Nutrient Uptake and Transport Throughout the Plant

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Mon, 27 Nov 2017 13:07:00 GMT

In our unrelenting journey toward maximizing production there are so many needs to be taken into consideration. Seed genetics and placement, field tillage, precision planting, the right use and timing of crop protection products and plant nutrition to name a few. In this search for the right combination we must focus a good deal of effort on the details and the root of the challenge, literally! No matter how well we do in making all the other decisions, meeting our yield objectives hinges on plant nutrition or more importantly efficient nutrient uptake and utility. Almost never will you find that the levels of nutrients found in the soil mirror what can be found in plant tissue. There is a great indifference in exchange from the soil to the plant and nutrient uptake is generally compromised. There are a number of reasons for this; nutrient solubility and mobility, soil moisture, soil structure, pH and antagonistic influence on nutrients, and on the other end of the spectrum, root health, root surface area and the biological health of the soil. We’ve talked about some of these influences in past articles but there are a few that I would like to dig a little deeper in. Let’s take a look at solubility and nutrient mobility first. Solubility, in its simplest definition, is the ability to make a dry nutrient become part of a liquid form so it can be transported to and or taken into the plant. Now all nutrients have varied degrees of solubility and the amount of water it takes to solubilize one will differ from that of another nutrient. This is why NACHURS has built many of our new generation products with the Potassium acetate form of potassium or our Bio-K technology. Comparing different forms of potassium such as Potassium Carbonate, it takes 2.3 times more water to solubilize than Potassium Acetate, Potassium Chloride (Muriate of Potash) takes 7.5 times more water and Potassium Sulfate takes 23 times more water to make soluble than Potassium Acetate. When solubility is that important to uptake using Potassium Acetate is a huge advantage. This advantage is especially important when dryer regions come into play or it’s mid-season in more temperate areas. You’re trying to finish filling out soybean pods and the soil moisture is less than ideal and the crop needs all the help it can get. Once there is soluble nutrient it becomes a function of uptake and the total root surface area comes into play. The surface area of a root system can be greatly impacted by the amount of fine hair roots that develop and nutrient uptake can be greatly improved by the same root hairs. In fact research has shown that fine hair roots can typically improve nutrient uptake by * 5.5 times as in corn to 18 times more nutrient in other crops and that too can be a strong advantage (* Root Development of Field Crops, John E Weaver, Professor of Plant Ecology, University of Nebraska). Root health and vigor is also of great importance! Since many nutrients are somewhat stationary in the soil the root must grow to the resident nutrient before it can be taken up into the plant. Phosphorus is one such nutrient. Imagine a phosphorus molecule lying next to a root; once that phosphorus molecule is taken up the root must migrate to a new nutrient supply. Under most conditions Phosphorus only moves about one tenth of an inch through the soil and Potassium only about one quarter of an inch. There are conditions that allow for greater migration but for most of us that’s it! So you can see how important it is to have a vigorous root system constantly prospecting for a new supply of nutrient. This is another reason why it is so important to use a good starter and why in-furrow placement can be so beneficial. Another benefit to a fresh and vigorous root system is that young roots are better suited for nutrient uptake than older or suberized roots. One tool that can greatly improve root health, surface area and vigor is our Rhyzo-Link line of products. This line of products combine our high quality liquid fertilizers with the addition of the Potassium Acetate and PGPR, a biological consortium built to synergize the relationship between the crop, the soil and the biological environment. The value of these three strengths linked together to form a package are designed to effectively feed a crop and to support vigorous root growth and nutrient acquisition while building a healthier rhizosphere, bringing a combined set of advantages into production. How well known is the fact that the opportunity of a good harvest is foundationed by a good healthy start. Combine good practice with the strengths of Bio-K and Rhyzo-Link in your program this year for an added advantage. NACHURS has always been a leader in both innovation and quality but more to the point NACHURS is focused on building solutions to challenges; a product for a purpose. Maximizing production is all about managing the details and pulling the pieces together. Quality Products, Agronomic Support and Innovation make NACHURS a partner you can count on!

No matter how well we do in making all the other decisions, meeting our yield objectives hinges on plant nutrition or more importantly efficient nutrient uptake and utility.

Almost never will you find that the levels of nutrients found in the soil mirror what can be found in plant tissue. There is a great indifference in exchange from the soil to the plant and nutrient uptake is generally compromised. There are a number of reasons for this; nutrient solubility and mobility, soil moisture, soil structure, pH and antagonistic influence on nutrients, and on the other end of the spectrum, root health, root surface area and the biological health of the soil. We’ve talked about some of these influences in past articles but there are a few that I would like to dig a little deeper in.

Let’s take a look at solubility and nutrient mobility first. Solubility, in its simplest definition, is the ability to make a dry nutrient become part of a liquid form so it can be transported to and or taken into the plant. Now all nutrients have varied degrees of solubility and the amount of water it takes to solubilize one will differ from that of another nutrient. This is why NACHURS has built many of our new generation products with the Potassium acetate form of potassium or our Bio-K technology.

Comparing different forms of potassium such as Potassium Carbonate, it takes 2.3 times more water to solubilize than Potassium Acetate, Potassium Chloride (Muriate of Potash) takes 7.5 times more water and Potassium Sulfate takes 23 times more water to make soluble than Potassium Acetate. When solubility is that important to uptake using Potassium Acetate is a huge advantage. This advantage is especially important when dryer regions come into play or it’s mid-season in more temperate areas. You’re trying to finish filling out soybean pods and the soil moisture is less than ideal and the crop needs all the help it can get.

Once there is soluble nutrient it becomes a function of uptake and the total root surface area comes into play. The surface area of a root system can be greatly impacted by the amount of fine hair roots that develop and nutrient uptake can be greatly improved by the same root hairs. In fact research has shown that fine hair roots can typically improve nutrient uptake by * 5.5 times as in corn to 18 times more nutrient in other crops and that too can be a strong advantage (* Root Development of Field Crops, John E Weaver, Professor of Plant Ecology, University of Nebraska).

Root health and vigor is also of great importance! Since many nutrients are somewhat stationary in the soil the root must grow to the resident nutrient before it can be taken up into the plant. Phosphorus is one such nutrient. Imagine a phosphorus molecule lying next to a root; once that phosphorus molecule is taken up the root must migrate to a new nutrient supply. Under most conditions Phosphorus only moves about one tenth of an inch through the soil and Potassium only about one quarter of an inch. There are conditions that allow for greater migration but for most of us that’s it! So you can see how important it is to have a vigorous root system constantly prospecting for a new supply of nutrient. This is another reason why it is so important to use a good starter and why in-furrow placement can be so beneficial. Another benefit to a fresh and vigorous root system is that young roots are better suited for nutrient uptake than older or suberized roots.

One tool that can greatly improve root health, surface area and vigor is our Rhyzo-Link line of products. This line of products combine our high quality liquid fertilizers with the addition of the Potassium Acetate and PGPR, a biological consortium built to synergize the relationship between the crop, the soil and the biological environment. The value of these three strengths linked together to form a package are designed to effectively feed a crop and to support vigorous root growth and nutrient acquisition while building a healthier rhizosphere, bringing a combined set of advantages into production.

How well known is the fact that the opportunity of a good harvest is foundationed by a good healthy start. Combine good practice with the strengths of Bio-K and Rhyzo-Link in your program this year for an added advantage.

NACHURS has always been a leader in both innovation and quality but more to the point NACHURS is focused on building solutions to challenges; a product for a purpose.

Maximizing production is all about managing the details and pulling the pieces together. Quality Products, Agronomic Support and Innovation make NACHURS a partner you can count on!

Fall Strip-tillage: an Excellent Time to Deliver Fertilizer Efficiently

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Mon, 20 Nov 2017 13:46:00 GMT

Applying fertilizer with strip tillage during the fall is an attractive option, allowing for accurate and positive placement of fertility. Potential benefits include yield improvement, cost savings, environmental protection and more. In my experience, most farmers know that they could get better performance from their fertilizer if they had the time and the ability to spoon feed their crop throughout the season. However, their fertilizer delivery methods have to be attainable. Therefore much of the season’s fertility is applied pre-plant in order to save time and reduce management demands when other farming tasks are at their peak. Banding fertilizer provides profound benefits. We are well accustomed with the starter effect, when banded fertilizer stimulates early growth, critical for attaining maximum yields. Strip tillage enables farmers to increase the potential benefits of banding. This practice reduces nutrient interactions and nutrient tie-up in the soil. Also, compact placement of nutrients assures the developing crop’s root system will locate them, especially when dry conditions persist. Strip tillage offers an excellent opportunity to apply many NACHURS products, especially Bio-K products. What makes Bio-K unique is that potassium is paired with an organic-based carrier (acetate) instead of a salt such as chloride. Acetate is a natural plant metabolite that has many important functions within the plant. It also stimulates growth of soil microbes/mycorrhizal fungi which have symbiotic relationships with plant roots. Specific products to consider including with fall fertility are: NACHURS K-fuel (0-0-24), NACHURS K-flex (0-0-19-6S), or NACHURS K-fuse (6-0-12-12S). Approaches to fertility placement vary regionally. Differences in soil type and climate must be examined to develop best practices. Fertility with strip-tillage and then returning with RTK guidance over the strip with an in-furrow N-P-K-S + micros sets the plants potential at a higher plain.

In my experience, most farmers know that they could get better performance from their fertilizer if they had the time and the ability to spoon feed their crop throughout the season. However, their fertilizer delivery methods have to be attainable. Therefore much of the season’s fertility is applied pre-plant in order to save time and reduce management demands when other farming tasks are at their peak.

Banding fertilizer provides profound benefits. We are well accustomed with the starter effect, when banded fertilizer stimulates early growth, critical for attaining maximum yields. Strip tillage enables farmers to increase the potential benefits of banding. This practice reduces nutrient interactions and nutrient tie-up in the soil. Also, compact placement of nutrients assures the developing crop’s root system will locate them, especially when dry conditions persist.

Strip tillage offers an excellent opportunity to apply many NACHURS products, especially Bio-K products. What makes Bio-K unique is that potassium is paired with an organic-based carrier (acetate) instead of a salt such as chloride. Acetate is a natural plant metabolite that has many important functions within the plant. It also stimulates growth of soil microbes/mycorrhizal fungi which have symbiotic relationships with plant roots. Specific products to consider including with fall fertility are: NACHURS K-fuel (0-0-24), NACHURS K-flex (0-0-19-6S), or NACHURS K-fuse (6-0-12-12S).

Approaches to fertility placement vary regionally. Differences in soil type and climate must be examined to develop best practices. Fertility with strip-tillage and then returning with RTK guidance over the strip with an in-furrow N-P-K-S + micros sets the plants potential at a higher plain.

"It Ain't Bragg'n... if it's True"

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Tue, 14 Nov 2017 11:33:00 GMT

A lifelong best friend, Willie, lost his father-in-law this past week. At the memorial service, some of his more infamous quotes and phrases were read to the mourners as part of the celebration of life service. I knew Mr. Allen very well since Willie married Allen’s daughter back in the late 70’s. He was a boisterous character full of life and charm. He spent most of his retirement from the FAA helping with Willie’s large farming operation. He once jumped from a grain trailer only to hook his wedding band stripping his ring finger of everything but the bone. Said he did not need the finger anyway. He had been married long enough to remember that he was. His most famous quote, I heard hundreds of times, was “It ain’t bragging if it’s true”. Hearing that phrase again, reminded me of how true it is, for me at least, regardless of the humor Allen meant in repeating it. As I plan and prepare for my seventh planting season with NACHURS, I’m proud of what we have achieved thus far and the successes that have been acknowledged and brought forth. Since I joined NACHURS, fertility technology introductions, new fertility blends, and upgraded micro blends have been launched by NACHURS in historic proportions. I take a back seat to no one in saying my (our) nutrient management recommendations work when followed. NACHURS has been making fertility recommendations going on 72 years. We know what we are doing. I have the pleasure of meeting and working with both new and established NACHURS customers every week across a vast geography. I actually look forward to going to work each week. Each week is always a new journey with unexpected opportunities. A couple of years ago, a young MO cotton farmer asked me not long after we met why I am so excited and passionate about what I do. Is it not just a job like other reps? Without thinking, I responded that I love my job because for the most part, I get to put smiles on faces and bring satisfaction to farmers whom I’m privileged to work with. Unlike crop protection products and other ag inputs where we use a host of chemistries to stop, prevent, cure, and solve problems…I get to use crop nutrition and plant food technologies to actually build and grow healthy plants, establish hardy root systems, greatly enhance our odds of higher yields, reduce nutrient runoff, increase nutrient efficiency and uptake, just to name a few. In 2017 alone a couple of solid, profitable technologies continued to show out, such as introducing new customers including potato producers, soybean producers, cotton producers, peanut producers, and corn producers to NACHURS Bio-K: the absolute, hands down best K source available in the ag marketplace today. When placed in furrow, deep tilled, sidedressed, subsurface dripped, pivot irrigated, or foliar applied, the efficacy of Bio-K is unmatched in availability, translocation, safety, solubility, compatibility, and to top it off it is non-corrosive. We saw similar results again this year with NACHURS Rhyzo-link technology. When applied with Bio-K fertility, the extremely high populations of pure culture, bacillus PGPR dramatically enhance root development and encourage plant friendly microbial growth to explode. NACHURS Bio-k and Rhyzo-Link technologies are like adding 2+2 and getting 6. Can’t beat that math. So when I was reminded of Allen’s famous phrase, I knew it applied to what I am privileged to do for a living… make customers and producers smile and happy and know NACHURS programs work. It Ain’t Brag’n… if it’s True Thanks Allen, I was blessed to be your friend.

Hearing that phrase again, reminded me of how true it is, for me at least, regardless of the humor Allen meant in repeating it. As I plan and prepare for my seventh planting season with NACHURS, I’m proud of what we have achieved thus far and the successes that have been acknowledged and brought forth. Since I joined NACHURS, fertility technology introductions, new fertility blends, and upgraded micro blends have been launched by NACHURS in historic proportions. I take a back seat to no one in saying my (our) nutrient management recommendations work when followed. NACHURS has been making fertility recommendations going on 72 years. We know what we are doing.

I have the pleasure of meeting and working with both new and established NACHURS customers every week across a vast geography. I actually look forward to going to work each week. Each week is always a new journey with unexpected opportunities. A couple of years ago, a young MO cotton farmer asked me not long after we met why I am so excited and passionate about what I do. Is it not just a job like other reps? Without thinking, I responded that I love my job because for the most part, I get to put smiles on faces and bring satisfaction to farmers whom I’m privileged to work with. Unlike crop protection products and other ag inputs where we use a host of chemistries to stop, prevent, cure, and solve problems…I get to use crop nutrition and plant food technologies to actually build and grow healthy plants, establish hardy root systems, greatly enhance our odds of higher yields, reduce nutrient runoff, increase nutrient efficiency and uptake, just to name a few.

In 2017 alone a couple of solid, profitable technologies continued to show out, such as introducing new customers including potato producers, soybean producers, cotton producers, peanut producers, and corn producers to NACHURS Bio-K: the absolute, hands down best K source available in the ag marketplace today. When placed in furrow, deep tilled, sidedressed, subsurface dripped, pivot irrigated, or foliar applied, the efficacy of Bio-K is unmatched in availability, translocation, safety, solubility, compatibility, and to top it off it is non-corrosive. We saw similar results again this year with NACHURS Rhyzo-link technology. When applied with Bio-K fertility, the extremely high populations of pure culture, bacillus PGPR dramatically enhance root development and encourage plant friendly microbial growth to explode. NACHURS Bio-k and Rhyzo-Link technologies are like adding 2+2 and getting 6. Can’t beat that math.

So when I was reminded of Allen’s famous phrase, I knew it applied to what I am privileged to do for a living… make customers and producers smile and happy and know NACHURS programs work.

It Ain’t Brag’n… if it’s True

Spotlight on Agriculture History

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Thu, 09 Nov 2017 09:43:00 GMT

Many of us take for granted Nitrogen and its impact on agriculture. It is the largest man-made macro element utilized in production agriculture. Nitrogen products come in three types: solid granule, liquid solutions, and anhydrous ammonia gas. Without Nitrogen’s synthetic production we would not be able to grow the number of crops on the acre we currently do. Fritz Haber, a German Chemist, discovered The Haber Process and first successfully perfected it in the summer of 1909. In 1913, Carl Bosch further developed the process into an industrial scale. Even though some Fritz Haber achievements were not always used for the betterment of mankind, The Haber Process of pulling nitrogen from thin air is undoubtedly one of the most import advancements in agriculture. During the time of the Haber discovery Europe was facing famine. Without being able to produce enough food to feed the population, The Haber Process allowed for greater crop yield. One hundred plus years later we still use the basis of The Haber Process to produce nitrogen fertilizer. For more information and sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haber_process

Fritz Haber, a German Chemist, discovered The Haber Process and first successfully perfected it in the summer of 1909. In 1913, Carl Bosch further developed the process into an industrial scale. Even though some Fritz Haber achievements were not always used for the betterment of mankind, The Haber Process of pulling nitrogen from thin air is undoubtedly one of the most import advancements in agriculture. During the time of the Haber discovery Europe was facing famine. Without being able to produce enough food to feed the population, The Haber Process allowed for greater crop yield. One hundred plus years later we still use the basis of The Haber Process to produce nitrogen fertilizer.

For more information and sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haber_process

What are you doing differently?

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 11:02:00 GMT

I was eating dinner the other day talking with a friend about getting to the elusive 300 + bushel average for corn or the 100+ bushel average for beans across the entire farm. We’ve all seen plot data that shows it can happen. The question is: if your plots can do it, why not the rest of your farms? What do you do differently? Have you changed the way you do things or are you still farming the same way you always have. If I was a betting man (and some of you who know me, know it’s true), I’d say most practices are the same and very little has changed. Let’s look at how you are fertilizing. Are you using starter or have you left the tanks off to save time? Are you taking advantage of the efficiency of a liquid precision applied program, or are you still on a total dry broadcast program? I know many producers dry spread phosphate and potash and then apply liquid nitrogen. Ask 15 producers how they farm and you get 15 different answers. Most would say in these depressed markets it all comes down to cost. I would say it comes down to yield and getting the biggest bang for your buck. Spoon feeding a crop can help cut down unnecessary over-application of fertilizer, which is good for the environment and your bottom line. Spreading nutrient application out over the growing season, applying the right nutrients when needed, is the best way to increase yields. You owe it to your operation to find out when, where, and how nutrients are best applied. Find out from your supplier what form of nutrients are being applied. Often times, nutrients get tied up through chemical bonds that make them unavailable to the plants when applied with other crop protection products. That is need to know information. NACHURS liquid fertilizers have the products to fit every application. From starter to fertigation, side dress to dry broadcast, NACHURS can help you create a plan for next season. Do your research, go to our website at nachurs.com and contact us with questions. Your success is our success. What are you doing different to chase 300 bu/acre?

If I was a betting man (and some of you who know me, know it’s true), I’d say most practices are the same and very little has changed. Let’s look at how you are fertilizing. Are you using starter or have you left the tanks off to save time? Are you taking advantage of the efficiency of a liquid precision applied program, or are you still on a total dry broadcast program? I know many producers dry spread phosphate and potash and then apply liquid nitrogen. Ask 15 producers how they farm and you get 15 different answers. Most would say in these depressed markets it all comes down to cost. I would say it comes down to yield and getting the biggest bang for your buck.

Spoon feeding a crop can help cut down unnecessary over-application of fertilizer, which is good for the environment and your bottom line. Spreading nutrient application out over the growing season, applying the right nutrients when needed, is the best way to increase yields. You owe it to your operation to find out when, where, and how nutrients are best applied. Find out from your supplier what form of nutrients are being applied. Often times, nutrients get tied up through chemical bonds that make them unavailable to the plants when applied with other crop protection products. That is need to know information. NACHURS liquid fertilizers have the products to fit every application. From starter to fertigation, side dress to dry broadcast, NACHURS can help you create a plan for next season. Do your research, go to our website at nachurs.com and contact us with questions. Your success is our success. What are you doing different to chase 300 bu/acre?

Harvest is upon us, the close of one season and the planning of a new!

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Tue, 24 Oct 2017 16:26:00 GMT

Crisp autumn mornings turn into long productive days filled with the product of all our efforts throughout the year; it’s Harvest Time! Harvest time has always been a time of excitement. It’s a time when we give thanks for our blessings and a time when challenges are considered for the season to come. We’re busy finishing up with one season while planning for the next. Soon growers all over the nation will begin sorting through production records, soil tests, looking at product information and begin the plans for next season. It’s the time when I get the question, what can we do better or what could we have done different? This question always leads to the same evaluation process: what are your objectives, what do you have to work with and what are your limitations? The American Farmer, in my eyes, is the most productive producer in the world and for the most part we do things well, at least we work well on the big items, the obvious ones. I find that when I am consulted on a challenge or a production issue and I am tasked with finding that limiting factor, it is most always a little thing that could be easily overlooked and that ends up being the Achilles heal or the limiting factor to maximum production. When sorting out challenges it’s obvious that the first step is to discover the true limitation and then to consider the tools that you have to work with while making the correction. This is where you want to look at your production methods, your soil tests and I’m suggesting a complete soil test taking into account the macronutrients like your Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium. The secondary nutrients like Calcium, Magnesium and Sulfur and last but not least the micronutrients including the less obvious like Molybdenum and Cobalt. Micronutrients are critical to production and yet I still receive soil tests to review where micros were never sampled and that’s a big mistake. Many functions within the plant are associated with a micronutrient and if we aren’t even sampled for them we already have one limitation that could escape our review. Nutrients also have partners within plant production. If your discovery suggests that a particular nutrient may be limiting don’t forget to consider other nutrients that support the effective use and utility of the target nutrient. Lastly don’t forget that there are varied levels of antagonists that reside in many soil profiles. Imbalance of pH and Cation Base Saturation can be major detractors to effective nutrient uptake and can impose a limiting response in the soil profile. Phantom antagonists such as Iron and Aluminum if not checked can limit production in many ways. When we work to develop a program and work to mitigate the various challenges that limit our chances of maximizing production keep in mind The NACHURS Toolbox. There isn’t a more complete set of tools out there than that which you will find with NACHURS and our Agronomy staff; products that fix problems and support production and a staff able to assist you in this endeavor. Another important part is to know and understand the tools that you have to work with. NACHURS has long been a leader in manufacturing clean and efficient products, innovative and effective. It’s also necessary to understand the function of each nutrient as it pertains to crop production. Knowing and understanding your challenges must be met with the correct use and application of the right tool! I have included some tools that we have developed and some that are currently out there for you as a resource. Knowledge is power but some things we are unaware of until someone shares it with us. Knowing what the challenges are, knowing and understanding what tools are there to apply and the understanding that you have a partner in production in NACHURS is a great start! Nutrient Primary Functions Nutrient Utilization Nutrient Partnering Interactions The above is an abbreviated discussion on the subject. For a more in-depth review consult a NACHURS authorized representative or dealer.

Crisp autumn mornings turn into long productive days filled with the product of all our efforts throughout the year; it’s Harvest Time!

Harvest time has always been a time of excitement. It’s a time when we give thanks for our blessings and a time when challenges are considered for the season to come. We’re busy finishing up with one season while planning for the next.

Soon growers all over the nation will begin sorting through production records, soil tests, looking at product information and begin the plans for next season. It’s the time when I get the question, what can we do better or what could we have done different? This question always leads to the same evaluation process: what are your objectives, what do you have to work with and what are your limitations?

The American Farmer, in my eyes, is the most productive producer in the world and for the most part we do things well, at least we work well on the big items, the obvious ones. I find that when I am consulted on a challenge or a production issue and I am tasked with finding that limiting factor, it is most always a little thing that could be easily overlooked and that ends up being the Achilles heal or the limiting factor to maximum production.

When sorting out challenges it’s obvious that the first step is to discover the true limitation and then to consider the tools that you have to work with while making the correction. This is where you want to look at your production methods, your soil tests and I’m suggesting a complete soil test taking into account the macronutrients like your Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium. The secondary nutrients like Calcium, Magnesium and Sulfur and last but not least the micronutrients including the less obvious like Molybdenum and Cobalt.

Micronutrients are critical to production and yet I still receive soil tests to review where micros were never sampled and that’s a big mistake. Many functions within the plant are associated with a micronutrient and if we aren’t even sampled for them we already have one limitation that could escape our review.

Nutrients also have partners within plant production. If your discovery suggests that a particular nutrient may be limiting don’t forget to consider other nutrients that support the effective use and utility of the target nutrient.

Lastly don’t forget that there are varied levels of antagonists that reside in many soil profiles. Imbalance of pH and Cation Base Saturation can be major detractors to effective nutrient uptake and can impose a limiting response in the soil profile. Phantom antagonists such as Iron and Aluminum if not checked can limit production in many ways.

When we work to develop a program and work to mitigate the various challenges that limit our chances of maximizing production keep in mind The NACHURS Toolbox. There isn’t a more complete set of tools out there than that which you will find with NACHURS and our Agronomy staff; products that fix problems and support production and a staff able to assist you in this endeavor.

Another important part is to know and understand the tools that you have to work with. NACHURS has long been a leader in manufacturing clean and efficient products, innovative and effective. It’s also necessary to understand the function of each nutrient as it pertains to crop production. Knowing and understanding your challenges must be met with the correct use and application of the right tool!

I have included some tools that we have developed and some that are currently out there for you as a resource. Knowledge is power but some things we are unaware of until someone shares it with us.

Knowing what the challenges are, knowing and understanding what tools are there to apply and the understanding that you have a partner in production in NACHURS is a great start!

The above is an abbreviated discussion on the subject. For a more in-depth review consult a NACHURS authorized representative or dealer.

Harvest Time: A good time to evaluate management and plan for next year

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 12:20:00 GMT

It is harvest time across most of the country. Harvest is the time that we are able to evaluate the effectiveness of our crop management programs. Producing crops requires farmers to make decisions based on scientific evidence and producer experience. Farmers must use the tools available to them to make decisions concerning many management factors, such as: tillage, variety selection, plant population, fertility, pest management, and possibly irrigation. These management factors affect yield and profitability for multiple seasons and mistakes made with one management factor can mask gains made with another. Additionally, unknown factors can act as antagonists and may prevent desired yield goals. Antagonists may be found in spray water, the soil or in the way a crop or variety interacts with its environment. Antagonists may be environmental or induced by the farming system. Many common antagonists such as soil pH or unbalanced base saturation levels can be managed and eventually overcome. Each year agriculture professionals learn more about overcoming yield antagonists. As a result farmers are continually presented with an abundance of new agronomic information; keeping up with emerging trends and sorting through information for relevance to your operation is often very difficult. When it comes to overcoming crop nutrient uptake antagonists, the team of professionals working for NACHURS would like to help you wade through the evidence and to design a plan that will help to unlock your crop’s true potential. NACHURS has been the innovator in crop fertility for over 70 years. We look forward to serving you this coming season as we take the information learned from 2017 and improve for 2018.

It is harvest time across most of the country. Harvest is the time that we are able to evaluate the effectiveness of our crop management programs.

Producing crops requires farmers to make decisions based on scientific evidence and producer experience. Farmers must use the tools available to them to make decisions concerning many management factors, such as: tillage, variety selection, plant population, fertility, pest management, and possibly irrigation. These management factors affect yield and profitability for multiple seasons and mistakes made with one management factor can mask gains made with another. Additionally, unknown factors can act as antagonists and may prevent desired yield goals. Antagonists may be found in spray water, the soil or in the way a crop or variety interacts with its environment. Antagonists may be environmental or induced by the farming system. Many common antagonists such as soil pH or unbalanced base saturation levels can be managed and eventually overcome.

Each year agriculture professionals learn more about overcoming yield antagonists. As a result farmers are continually presented with an abundance of new agronomic information; keeping up with emerging trends and sorting through information for relevance to your operation is often very difficult.

When it comes to overcoming crop nutrient uptake antagonists, the team of professionals working for NACHURS would like to help you wade through the evidence and to design a plan that will help to unlock your crop’s true potential. NACHURS has been the innovator in crop fertility for over 70 years. We look forward to serving you this coming season as we take the information learned from 2017 and improve for 2018.

Sulfur. Don't Underestimate its Importance.

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Mon, 09 Oct 2017 15:11:00 GMT

We have discussed Liebig’s Law of Minimums before. Our yield potential is directly proportional to the most limiting nutrient. Included in the list of important nutrients is sulfur, which is a secondary nutrient along with calcium and magnesium but is often considered the 4th most important nutrient behind NPK. Justus von Liebig’s Law of the Minimum states that yield is proportional to the amount of the most limiting nutrient, whichever nutrient it may be. From this, it may be inferred that if the deficient nutrient is supplied, yields may be improved to the point that some other nutrient is needed in greater quantity than the soil can provide, and the Law of the Minimum would apply in turn to that nutrient. Reference: soils.wisc.edu/facstaff/barak/soilscience326/lawofmin.htm Sulfur plays a very important role in crop production. Most crops need between 10 and 30 pounds/ac of sulfur. Sulfur is a key component for nitrogen-fixing nodules in legume crops. It is needed for chlorophyll formation, production of amino acids, proteins, and enzymes. The lower the soil organic matter, the more important it is to pay attention to sulfur levels and removal. NACHURS is a firm believer in sulfur, along with all secondary and micronutrients. We can add sulfur into all our NPK starter fertilizers. We have products such as NACHURS K-flex and Rhyzo-Link 0-0-15 which are Bio-K + sulfur and Bio-K + Rhyzo-Link + sulfur; both include sulfur to address sulfur requirements in 2x2 and sidedress environments. This summer, NACHURS released a new Bio-K & sulfur product: NACHURS K-fuse. NACHURS K-fuse is a proprietary formulation of 6-0-12-12S. It is unique in that NACHURS has unique properties in this blend enabling it to mix with UAN at fairly high ratios. This new crop nutrient formulation from NACHURS allows producers to safely blend potassium and sulfur into liquid UAN. When using UAN28:NACHURS K-fuse, tank mix NACHURS K-fuse with it at 3:1. When using UAN32:NACHURS K-fuse, tank mix NACHURS K-fuse at a 4:1 ratio. Dr. Mike Stewart, Director, of the North American Program International Plant Nutrition Institute has an excellent sulfur article published this week that is worth reading. Please use the link below to download it: http://www.ipni.net/publication/pnt-na.nsf/0/E751326443B50E4C85258133006F4513/$FILE/PNT-2017-Summer-02.pdf

Justus von Liebig’s Law of the Minimum states that yield is proportional to the amount of the most limiting nutrient, whichever nutrient it may be. From this, it may be inferred that if the deficient nutrient is supplied, yields may be improved to the point that some other nutrient is needed in greater quantity than the soil can provide, and the Law of the Minimum would apply in turn to that nutrient.

Reference: soils.wisc.edu/facstaff/barak/soilscience326/lawofmin.htm

Sulfur plays a very important role in crop production. Most crops need between 10 and 30 pounds/ac of sulfur. Sulfur is a key component for nitrogen-fixing nodules in legume crops. It is needed for chlorophyll formation, production of amino acids, proteins, and enzymes. The lower the soil organic matter, the more important it is to pay attention to sulfur levels and removal.

NACHURS is a firm believer in sulfur, along with all secondary and micronutrients. We can add sulfur into all our NPK starter fertilizers. We have products such as NACHURS K-flex and Rhyzo-Link 0-0-15 which are Bio-K + sulfur and Bio-K + Rhyzo-Link + sulfur; both include sulfur to address sulfur requirements in 2x2 and sidedress environments.

This summer, NACHURS released a new Bio-K & sulfur product: NACHURS K-fuse . NACHURS K-fuse is a proprietary formulation of 6-0-12-12S. It is unique in that NACHURS has unique properties in this blend enabling it to mix with UAN at fairly high ratios. This new crop nutrient formulation from NACHURS allows producers to safely blend potassium and sulfur into liquid UAN. When using UAN28:NACHURS K-fuse, tank mix NACHURS K-fuse with it at 3:1. When using UAN32:NACHURS K-fuse, tank mix NACHURS K-fuse at a 4:1 ratio.

Dr. Mike Stewart, Director, of the North American Program International Plant Nutrition Institute has an excellent sulfur article published this week that is worth reading. Please use the link below to download it:

http://www.ipni.net/publication/pnt-na.nsf/0/E751326443B50E4C85258133006F4513/$FILE/PNT-2017-Summer-02.pdf

Getting our ducks in a row...

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Wed, 04 Oct 2017 16:15:00 GMT

As fall harvest begins we often get caught up in the day to day job of combining, hauling grain, and repairing break downs. We often forget about the opportunities that we have on our crop nutrition inputs for the next year‘s crop. As we know, some of our largest discounts for next year’s crop inputs can be obtained during this time. The majority of crop nutrition inputs are purchased in the spring due to many reasons: we want to wait and see how this year‘s crop yields, tax reasons, and line of credit reasons. We need to keep in mind that retail agriculture has very aggressive pricing strategies right now for those growers that are willing to secure in orders for the upcoming year. There are several advantages for committing to or paying for your next year’s crop nutrition inputs during this time. Here are a few advantages for securing next year’s crop nutritional needs: Financial advantage with aggressive fall pricing Removing the demand from the spring bottleneck (this includes taking possession of your product); this will ease spring logistics Securing the volatility of your NPK supply and demand So if we take the time during this fall when we have our little breaks in between harvesting and we sit down to put a pencil to paper and try to get our inputs lined up for next year this will ease the stress of spring when it comes around. As a NACHURS agronomist I promote these actions of early planning as this allows us greater time to focus on crop nutrition: what happened last year, what happened this year, and what we are going to change for the upcoming year. Your NACHURS team has already begun to prepare for next year’s crop by offering the latest in crop nutrition technology, utilizing the most efficient sources of plant available nutrients. I would like to showcase some of the latest additions to our product lineup: Click here to learn about NACHURS K-fuse Click here to learn about NACHURS CropMax

There are several advantages for committing to or paying for your next year’s crop nutrition inputs during this time. Here are a few advantages for securing next year’s crop nutritional needs:

So if we take the time during this fall when we have our little breaks in between harvesting and we sit down to put a pencil to paper and try to get our inputs lined up for next year this will ease the stress of spring when it comes around. As a NACHURS agronomist I promote these actions of early planning as this allows us greater time to focus on crop nutrition: what happened last year, what happened this year, and what we are going to change for the upcoming year.

Your NACHURS team has already begun to prepare for next year’s crop by offering the latest in crop nutrition technology, utilizing the most efficient sources of plant available nutrients. I would like to showcase some of the latest additions to our product lineup:

Click here to learn about NACHURS K-fuse

Click here to learn about NACHURS CropMax

Obtaining Maximum Potato Productivity

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 14:13:00 GMT

In light of various environmental stresses (biotic, abiotic, etc.) which currently affect plant growth and development during the growing season, it remains very difficult to reach the maximum genetic yield potential of a potato crop. Not only that, but it is a continual balancing act between not only yield, but also with quality components such as size, grade, and specific gravity/total solids. One such practice that will always remain under the control of the potato grower is the proper use (source, timing, rate, and placement) of fertilizer to the growing crop. Potatoes utilize a large amount of nutrients throughout the growing season. This includes both primary and secondary nutrients, as well as micronutrients. Based on years of plant research and confirmation by current agronomic practices, we know the nutrient requirement of a potato plant (a function of yield) as well as the associated uptake rate of each plant nutrient. Growers must also consider the solubility, availability, salt index, and operative efficiency which exists with all the various plant fertility sources. In other words, not all fertility choices are created equal. This is especially true when considering the appropriate potash source to use and at what growth stage it should be utilized. Knowing these details regarding potassium fertility will help guide a grower’s strategy in obtaining maximum potato productivity.www.nachurs.com/potatoes

PROBLEMS WITH STORING 10-34-0

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Wed, 20 Sep 2017 08:25:00 GMT

A few weeks ago NACHURS tweeted out a picture of 10-34-0 sludge at the bottom of a large Co-op holding tank. This photo has been retweeted quite a few times, so I thought I would talk about why this happens. Anybody who has used 10-34-0 knows that it isn’t exactly the nicest fertilizer to work with, and anybody who has stored 10-34-0 has no doubt dealt with the impurities and metals falling out of solution leaving a layer of sludge in the bottom of their tanks. Why does this happen? What can we do differently? Let’s take a look. Ammonium Polyphosphate (APP), 10-34-0, and not as common 11-37-0, is super phosphoric acid reacted with ammonia at high temperatures then cooled and diluted with water (this is a simplified version but you get the idea). Polyphosphates are chemical chains of phosphate molecules that have the ability to sequester heavy metals not fully removed during beneficiation of the raw phosphate ore. Many impurities remain such as chlorine, fluorine, magnesium, aluminum and carbon. APP or 10-34-0 begins to breakdown or hydrolyze, which is a normal process, as 10-34-0 is stored and used. As the fertilizer breaks down it can no longer sequester the heavy metals and they begin to fall out. This results in precipitates and sludge that need to be cleaned out of tanks every year or two. We all know that the low man on the totem pole gets this job. What can you do to avoid this? Well, that all depends on what you are willing to do. You can switch from 10-34-0 to a different fertilizer. Generally if the fertilizer is green, amber, or black in color it contains super phosphoric acid (SPA) which is the base for APP fertilizers. Clear fertilizers look like water and use purified phosphoric acid (PPA) which is processed more and contains far fewer impurities. If processed even more it can be considered food grade phosphoric acid which is used in many processed foods like soft drinks. Generally speaking the more processing the more expensive the product. NACHURS 6-24-6 is a green product which is 20% polyphosphate and 80% orthophosphate which is readily available phosphate. This is very competitively priced and is by far easier handling and less corrosive than 10-34-0. Generally the cheaper the fertilizer the more APP it contains and the more impurities there are. Most NACHURS starters are clear using PPA which is 100% orthophosphate; it is a little higher priced but many say it is money well spent.

Ammonium Polyphosphate (APP), 10-34-0, and not as common 11-37-0, is super phosphoric acid reacted with ammonia at high temperatures then cooled and diluted with water (this is a simplified version but you get the idea). Polyphosphates are chemical chains of phosphate molecules that have the ability to sequester heavy metals not fully removed during beneficiation of the raw phosphate ore. Many impurities remain such as chlorine, fluorine, magnesium, aluminum and carbon. APP or 10-34-0 begins to breakdown or hydrolyze, which is a normal process, as 10-34-0 is stored and used. As the fertilizer breaks down it can no longer sequester the heavy metals and they begin to fall out. This results in precipitates and sludge that need to be cleaned out of tanks every year or two. We all know that the low man on the totem pole gets this job.

What can you do to avoid this? Well, that all depends on what you are willing to do. You can switch from 10-34-0 to a different fertilizer. Generally if the fertilizer is green, amber, or black in color it contains super phosphoric acid (SPA) which is the base for APP fertilizers. Clear fertilizers look like water and use purified phosphoric acid (PPA) which is processed more and contains far fewer impurities. If processed even more it can be considered food grade phosphoric acid which is used in many processed foods like soft drinks. Generally speaking the more processing the more expensive the product.

NACHURS 6-24-6 is a green product which is 20% polyphosphate and 80% orthophosphate which is readily available phosphate. This is very competitively priced and is by far easier handling and less corrosive than 10-34-0. Generally the cheaper the fertilizer the more APP it contains and the more impurities there are. Most NACHURS starters are clear using PPA which is 100% orthophosphate; it is a little higher priced but many say it is money well spent.

The NACHURS Tool Box in the Garden State

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Tue, 12 Sep 2017 16:39:00 GMT

Many of you have heard me speak about the NACHURS TOOL BOX before and the value within. The value of having the “right” high quality product out of many that one can choose from to achieve the desired result. A great example of this is work that we are doing this year in New Jersey. Now if you have never been in New Jersey you must know that there is a reason that it is called the Garden State. Many of us, particularly in the heartland, forget that our tiny neighbor to the east, New Jersey, is carpeted with a blanket of growth consisting of over 9800 farms making up nearly 800,000 acres of varied production. New Jersey and its growers supply the Eastern United States with crops such as Corn, Soybeans, Wheat and Hay and specialty crops such as Potatoes, Tomatoes, Peppers, Strawberries, Spinach, Head Lettuce, Squash, Cranberries, Melons, Apples, Peaches and so much more. Even though it has the feel of an island, being partially boarded by the Delaware River on the west side and then the Atlantic Ocean on the east side, you would never know it traveling the countryside. Beautiful as it is New Jersey isn’t without its production challenges. Sandy, pebbly soils in an environment with elevated rainfall and high evapotranspiration tends to leave soils heavy-laden with less soluble nutrient components, lower nutrient levels in some cases and lower soil organic matter. That’s where NACHURS and our team of experts come in. A great example of this is the farm of Benny Tomarchio. Benny began farming with his father at an early age of 10, the Tomarchios, at that time, produced sweet potatoes, process tomatoes, eggplant, sweetcorn, melons, cucumbers and squash for the local market and processors. In 1995 Campbell Soup pulled out of the state and the farm took on an evolution of its own. Benny took over the management of the farm while the production was refocused to grape tomatoes so for the last 22 years Mr. Tomarchio has been specializing in grape tomatoes, delivering to customers a tomato product superior in quality. When asked, Benny, a midsized local boy, proudly comments that his production is second only to a resident international producer. When we sat down with Benny during the discovery process, we found that his use of conventional fertilizer products through the years have left him somewhat deficient in some nutrients, particularly phosphorus, the key to plant energy. Phosphorus deficiency can lead to loss of plant vigor, fewer fruit and a decrease in overall production. Coupled with the low phosphorus is the ever present challenge in tomatoes, calcium and potassium. So our focus was clear; based on his soil test and Mr. Tomarchio’s production goals, build him a complete program with added support on phosphorus levels and with a focus on calcium, potassium and microelements. After a partial base of dry fertilizer placed before building the beds, we used our NACHURS Rhyzo-Link products in the transplant solution and the balance of the nutrient was supplied with NACHURS Premium Products though the drip irrigation and foliar applications. Weekly tissue tests were performed and minor adjustments to the program were made to accommodate plant structure development and the heavy fruit load. I knew that we had met the challenge when I received a call early in the season explaining that Mr. Tomarchio had to pull everyone available in his operation to assist the harvesting crews in picking the abundant crop. Great yield, sound fruit with bright color, we had met our objective! We enjoyed a bountiful harvest for some time until midseason when the temperature turned cool, cloudiness persisted, the rains set in and production slowed. When asked about the slowdown that his state was experiencing he said that he felt that his production would have suffered more had he not used NACHURS fertilizer and production methods. Mr. Tomarchio went on to comment that “you’re not cheap but I used less fertilizer than normal, I’m placing it where I need it and when the plant wants it; I’m looking forward to seeing if we can duplicate our success next growing season!” The Tomarchio production is assisted by our local dealer Turkey Creek Farms. Timothy Eachus and his families’ operation support our New Jersey growers with product and services such as those experienced by Mr. Tomarchio. NACHURS products, good support and good producers are what feed our nation; together we provide quality food sources to fuel future growth for generations to come.

A great example of this is work that we are doing this year in New Jersey. Now if you have never been in New Jersey you must know that there is a reason that it is called the Garden State. Many of us, particularly in the heartland, forget that our tiny neighbor to the east, New Jersey, is carpeted with a blanket of growth consisting of over 9800 farms making up nearly 800,000 acres of varied production.

New Jersey and its growers supply the Eastern United States with crops such as Corn, Soybeans, Wheat and Hay and specialty crops such as Potatoes, Tomatoes, Peppers, Strawberries, Spinach, Head Lettuce, Squash, Cranberries, Melons, Apples, Peaches and so much more. Even though it has the feel of an island, being partially boarded by the Delaware River on the west side and then the Atlantic Ocean on the east side, you would never know it traveling the countryside.

Beautiful as it is New Jersey isn’t without its production challenges. Sandy, pebbly soils in an environment with elevated rainfall and high evapotranspiration tends to leave soils heavy-laden with less soluble nutrient components, lower nutrient levels in some cases and lower soil organic matter. That’s where NACHURS and our team of experts come in.

A great example of this is the farm of Benny Tomarchio. Benny began farming with his father at an early age of 10, the Tomarchios, at that time, produced sweet potatoes, process tomatoes, eggplant, sweetcorn, melons, cucumbers and squash for the local market and processors. In 1995 Campbell Soup pulled out of the state and the farm took on an evolution of its own. Benny took over the management of the farm while the production was refocused to grape tomatoes so for the last 22 years Mr. Tomarchio has been specializing in grape tomatoes, delivering to customers a tomato product superior in quality. When asked, Benny, a midsized local boy, proudly comments that his production is second only to a resident international producer.

When we sat down with Benny during the discovery process, we found that his use of conventional fertilizer products through the years have left him somewhat deficient in some nutrients, particularly phosphorus, the key to plant energy.

Phosphorus deficiency can lead to loss of plant vigor, fewer fruit and a decrease in overall production. Coupled with the low phosphorus is the ever present challenge in tomatoes, calcium and potassium. So our focus was clear; based on his soil test and Mr. Tomarchio’s production goals, build him a complete program with added support on phosphorus levels and with a focus on calcium, potassium and microelements.

After a partial base of dry fertilizer placed before building the beds, we used our NACHURS Rhyzo-Link products in the transplant solution and the balance of the nutrient was supplied with NACHURS Premium Products though the drip irrigation and foliar applications. Weekly tissue tests were performed and minor adjustments to the program were made to accommodate plant structure development and the heavy fruit load.

I knew that we had met the challenge when I received a call early in the season explaining that Mr. Tomarchio had to pull everyone available in his operation to assist the harvesting crews in picking the abundant crop. Great yield, sound fruit with bright color, we had met our objective!

We enjoyed a bountiful harvest for some time until midseason when the temperature turned cool, cloudiness persisted, the rains set in and production slowed. When asked about the slowdown that his state was experiencing he said that he felt that his production would have suffered more had he not used NACHURS fertilizer and production methods.

Mr. Tomarchio went on to comment that “you’re not cheap but I used less fertilizer than normal, I’m placing it where I need it and when the plant wants it; I’m looking forward to seeing if we can duplicate our success next growing season!”

The Tomarchio production is assisted by our local dealer Turkey Creek Farms. Timothy Eachus and his families’ operation support our New Jersey growers with product and services such as those experienced by Mr. Tomarchio.

NACHURS products, good support and good producers are what feed our nation; together we provide quality food sources to fuel future growth for generations to come.

All nutrients are important!

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Tue, 05 Sep 2017 13:08:00 GMT

While many farmers will be waiting for weeks before planting winter wheat for grain production, thousands of acres are beginning to be planted now for grazing. Research is clear: a band of starter fertilizer, near or in the seed furrow has significantly increased forage production in many Texas and Oklahoma studies and is recommended practice everywhere. In Oklahoma, banding phosphorus has increased forage production of winter wheat in many studies. On particular study yielded more than 700 lbs forage per acre, compared to broadcast fertilization. Indications are that forage yield increases are greatest where soil pH is low. In the Texas Blackland prairie P fertilizer placement was studied for 17 years in 48 locations. In this study, P fertilizer was applied in-furrow with the seed, drilled half way between seed rows, and broadcast incorporated. P fertilization in general significantly increased yields. In-furrow placement was the most efficient method of application often yielding 1000 lbs more forage than Nitrogen alone. Fall development of the adventitious root system was three to five times greater where P was banded with the seed. While phosphorus has received the bulk of the attention when evaluating starter fertilizer performance on early season forage production, all nutrients are important: Including potassium in the starter blend is essential. The only nutrient taken up in greater amounts during the vegetative stage of wheat development is nitrogen. K increases drought and disease resistance. Micronutrient fertilization has been linked with greater forage production and plant health. The use of starter fertilizer enhances crop growth primarily because it places a readily available supply of plant nutrients in a position where they are easily accessible to the limited root system of a seedling. Even though a soil may have high fertility, a seedling's root system may not be able to obtain the necessary nutrients due to lack of size and density within the soil. Once a plant's root system is established, it will then be able to extract nutrients from the bulk of the soil.

While many farmers will be waiting for weeks before planting winter wheat for grain production, thousands of acres are beginning to be planted now for grazing.

Research is clear: a band of starter fertilizer, near or in the seed furrow has significantly increased forage production in many Texas and Oklahoma studies and is recommended practice everywhere.

While phosphorus has received the bulk of the attention when evaluating starter fertilizer performance on early season forage production, all nutrients are important:

Farmers to the Rescue

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Mon, 28 Aug 2017 14:27:00 GMT

Hurricanes and other natural disasters are part of life. There are not many areas in the US immune from these sort of things. Hurricane Harvey is the first time our family has been close to such an event. Our oldest daughter and her family of four (with a fifth a member on the way) live in the Houston area. With strong encouragement from her Dad, they evacuated to eastern Louisiana Friday. They left behind a home and fear of the unknown to come. As of this writing, it seems their community will be spared the flooding and misery hundreds of thousands of South Texas families are experiencing. They have been told not to be in any hurry to come back as most roads leading to their community are under water. The recovery, damage, and economic loss will be staggering. It will take months if not years for this densely populated area to make a full recovery. I read an article this morning that put this in perspective. Consider the state of Rhode Island. Harris County, TX is approximately the same size. Adding the surrounding suburbs makes it half again as big. Double the population of Manhattan Island and you have a real idea of the amount of people and geography that are affected with this disaster. Among the often forgotten and overlooked are rural farm families and their workers. Leave it to these folks to take care of each other in times of need. All across eastern Texas and south Louisiana over the past week, as the storm approached, neighbors collected together and with massive numbers of equipment and people began harvesting each other’s crop ahead of the impending storm. Thousands of acres were harvested in record time. This happens all across the country when special needs arise from an unexpected farm family death to a natural disaster. Now, many of these same people have loaded their trucks, filled up fuel tanks, hitched to their boat, filled coolers with water, food, and other necessary supplies and are headed into the affected areas to lend a hand and help rescue people and herds. This storm will soon fade away and TV crews from NYC will head back north. The ag community, along with many other selfless volunteers, will remain to give aid and support as the cleanup and rebuilding begins. This will happen with little to no fanfare or attention. We don’t get fed much good news anymore and this natural disaster is really bad. What will shine and be seen by many are the thousands of farm families and others, helping in any way possible those who have lost most everything. At the end of the day, most Americans are benevolent, helpful, willing to sacrifice and share the love of their fellow man in need. It’s sad that it takes a disaster to spark and remind us that regardless of race, religion, politics, economic standing, or education we are all God’s people who can count on each other to be there when others are in need. NACHURS salutes the first responders, selfless volunteers, and especially the farming community who can be counted on to be there for us and others when we truly need them.

They left behind a home and fear of the unknown to come. As of this writing, it seems their community will be spared the flooding and misery hundreds of thousands of South Texas families are experiencing. They have been told not to be in any hurry to come back as most roads leading to their community are under water. The recovery, damage, and economic loss will be staggering. It will take months if not years for this densely populated area to make a full recovery. I read an article this morning that put this in perspective. Consider the state of Rhode Island. Harris County, TX is approximately the same size. Adding the surrounding suburbs makes it half again as big. Double the population of Manhattan Island and you have a real idea of the amount of people and geography that are affected with this disaster.

Among the often forgotten and overlooked are rural farm families and their workers. Leave it to these folks to take care of each other in times of need. All across eastern Texas and south Louisiana over the past week, as the storm approached, neighbors collected together and with massive numbers of equipment and people began harvesting each other’s crop ahead of the impending storm. Thousands of acres were harvested in record time. This happens all across the country when special needs arise from an unexpected farm family death to a natural disaster.

Now, many of these same people have loaded their trucks, filled up fuel tanks, hitched to their boat, filled coolers with water, food, and other necessary supplies and are headed into the affected areas to lend a hand and help rescue people and herds.

This storm will soon fade away and TV crews from NYC will head back north. The ag community, along with many other selfless volunteers, will remain to give aid and support as the cleanup and rebuilding begins. This will happen with little to no fanfare or attention.

We don’t get fed much good news anymore and this natural disaster is really bad. What will shine and be seen by many are the thousands of farm families and others, helping in any way possible those who have lost most everything. At the end of the day, most Americans are benevolent, helpful, willing to sacrifice and share the love of their fellow man in need. It’s sad that it takes a disaster to spark and remind us that regardless of race, religion, politics, economic standing, or education we are all God’s people who can count on each other to be there when others are in need. NACHURS salutes the first responders, selfless volunteers, and especially the farming community who can be counted on to be there for us and others when we truly need them.

YaraVita PROCOTE application by Murray Equipment

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Mon, 21 Aug 2017 17:01:00 GMT

YaraVita Procote is an oil-based formulation that is heavy and thick. To optimize blending results, NACHURS and Murray Equipment have developed recommended equipment options. The equipment that has been specified meets the material handling requirements of YaraVita Procote’s physical properties.

Get Involved

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Mon, 14 Aug 2017 14:24:00 GMT

Most times I write this blog, I sit and think about an agronomic topic that has something to do with whatever time of year it may happen to be, or perhaps to get the reader to think about the next growing season. Today though, I had a topic figured out halfway through the week. No Bull. Nobull is the NACHURS mascot; a very muscular Bull almost Super Hero worthy, well not quite, but you get the picture. Well this week there was yet another public sighting of Nobull. At NACHURS, we believe in community involvement. NACHURS is a strong supporter of the Marion Ohio Police Department, the city of Marion and surrounding areas. Nobull can be found at many community activities. Being an active part of your community is your responsibility as a citizen. All too often people don’t want to get involved, claiming they don’t have the time. That is how rural towns begin to die off. I myself have been on the local city parks board. I have four very active kids who are now closer to adults and city parks were important to me. This experience allowed me to make the community better, not just for my family, but for everybody. Finding time is not always easy, but that is no reason to be lazy either. If you don’t get involved, you don’t get to have your voice heard. This weekend I played in the local FFA alumni golf tournament, and NACHURS donated a small prize to the FFA hackers and whackers (golfers). The committee was very appreciative of the support from companies like NACHURS. The funds raised at events like this are put into scholarship funds to help the current members achieve their goals. It isn’t just the donation. This allows you to network, get in front of members of the FFA and the school Ag instructor. You get the opportunity to pass on your knowledge to the future of agriculture. Get to know these young people, help them with projects. Watch them grow. They are the future of the industry. There are many ways to get involved in your community. People are always looking for volunteers. It shouldn’t take a tornado or flood or some other natural disaster to get people involved. We are losing rural communities every year. Look for ways to make your community better. I close this article with visions of Nobull competing in dance contests and me standing deep in a sand trap, thinking to myself community involvement is another responsibility you have in adulthood, but it can be fun. Get involved.

This weekend I played in the local FFA alumni golf tournament, and NACHURS donated a small prize to the FFA hackers and whackers (golfers). The committee was very appreciative of the support from companies like NACHURS. The funds raised at events like this are put into scholarship funds to help the current members achieve their goals. It isn’t just the donation. This allows you to network, get in front of members of the FFA and the school Ag instructor. You get the opportunity to pass on your knowledge to the future of agriculture. Get to know these young people, help them with projects. Watch them grow. They are the future of the industry.

There are many ways to get involved in your community. People are always looking for volunteers. It shouldn’t take a tornado or flood or some other natural disaster to get people involved. We are losing rural communities every year. Look for ways to make your community better. I close this article with visions of Nobull competing in dance contests and me standing deep in a sand trap, thinking to myself community involvement is another responsibility you have in adulthood, but it can be fun. Get involved.

NACHURS and the Jawor Family Farm

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Mon, 07 Aug 2017 09:06:00 GMT

NACHURS is a production partner with blueberry growers across the US bringing quality products and services to this industry. The unique qualities and the value added properties of our products, particularly our new sciences, build great value in this crop and bring proven performance to the grower and processor. NACHURS has the privilege of supplying product and technical services to one such company in Ravenna Michigan: Jawor Brothers Blueberry Farm and Country Store. Jawor Brothers Blueberry is a long standing family farm originating with founders Carl Jawor Sr. and his wife, Millie. This legacy began in 1962 with the purchase of the Jawor’s first farm in Bridgeton Michigan followed by over a dozen acquisitions in the years to come. The pride of the Jawor family has always been in the production of quality berries but even more so as a “Family” farm. The farm grew through the years to become over 800 acres, supporting a number of blueberry varieties and a U-Pick operation as well as a Country Store and Bakery. The Country Store and Bakery was a longtime dream of Millie’s. The bakery serves fresh baked blueberry pies and pastries derived from Jawor family recipes made fresh daily in the store’s kitchen. Along with the growth of the farm, the family grew as well. Today the farm is managed by Carl and Millie’s sons, Mike and Jeff with the help of several grandchildren, all playing vital roles within the operation. NACHURS takes an active role on farms like the Jawor’s Farm through strong Agronomy, experienced personnel and high quality products to advance production in yield and berry quality. We have two product lines in particular that is providing great benefit to blueberry growers across the US including the Jawor’s production. NACHURS Rhyzo-Link line and our Bio-K line of products bring added value and advanced ability to build the Jawor’s a value added crop and the consumer a healthier product. Blueberries are grown in less than desirable conditions by most standards but for a blueberry plant a soil with a pH of 4.8 to 5.2 is ideal. This soil environment promotes a number of challenges where nutrient is concerned. The use of the Rhyzo-Link line of products help mineralize and assimilate fixed nutrient, improve plant health and manage plant stress. The potassium acetate, or Bio-K line, provides growers with great ability to build larger and sweeter berries while improving upon overall crop quality, all adding value to production. I’ve found from some of my research that increasing the size of a blueberry by 1/10 inch can equal an increase in yield of as much as 21%! NACHURS and the Jawor Family Farm: another great combination providing quality produce for the health conscious consumer. You can find the Jawor Brothers Blueberry Farm and Country Store at 7545 Heights Ravenna Road in Ravenna Michigan, they can be reached 231-760-4434.

NACHURS has the privilege of supplying product and technical services to one such company in Ravenna Michigan: Jawor Brothers Blueberry Farm and Country Store.

Jawor Brothers Blueberry is a long standing family farm originating with founders Carl Jawor Sr. and his wife, Millie. This legacy began in 1962 with the purchase of the Jawor’s first farm in Bridgeton Michigan followed by over a dozen acquisitions in the years to come.

The pride of the Jawor family has always been in the production of quality berries but even more so as a “Family” farm. The farm grew through the years to become over 800 acres, supporting a number of blueberry varieties and a U-Pick operation as well as a Country Store and Bakery. The Country Store and Bakery was a longtime dream of Millie’s. The bakery serves fresh baked blueberry pies and pastries derived from Jawor family recipes made fresh daily in the store’s kitchen.

NACHURS takes an active role on farms like the Jawor’s Farm through strong Agronomy, experienced personnel and high quality products to advance production in yield and berry quality.

We have two product lines in particular that is providing great benefit to blueberry growers across the US including the Jawor’s production. NACHURS Rhyzo-Link line and our Bio-K line of products bring added value and advanced ability to build the Jawor’s a value added crop and the consumer a healthier product.

Blueberries are grown in less than desirable conditions by most standards but for a blueberry plant a soil with a pH of 4.8 to 5.2 is ideal.

This soil environment promotes a number of challenges where nutrient is concerned. The use of the Rhyzo-Link line of products help mineralize and assimilate fixed nutrient, improve plant health and manage plant stress. The potassium acetate, or Bio-K line, provides growers with great ability to build larger and sweeter berries while improving upon overall crop quality, all adding value to production. I’ve found from some of my research that increasing the size of a blueberry by 1/10 inch can equal an increase in yield of as much as 21%!

NACHURS and the Jawor Family Farm: another great combination providing quality produce for the health conscious consumer.

Nutrient Needs of the Soybean and Cotton Crops

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 09:36:00 GMT

As the growing season progresses, there is a need to monitor the nutrient needs of the growing crop. Both soybean and cotton industry researchers have recently identified a few of these reasons. I have included short summaries below. There are many reasons to continue to ensure your crop is receiving adequate fertility as it matures. Soybeans: A recent article in Agronomy Journal reported that soybean yields may be increased with late season foliar applications of nitrogen. It states that high yielding beans have a greater demand for nitrogen to fill the seed pods than what they are capable of fixing biologically. The rhizobia in the soil decrease nitrogen production exponentially as the pods begin to form, therefore additional foliar nitrogen is commonly beneficial. Research has indicated that Foliar N was efficient at improving yields. With approximately 55% of the U.S. crop setting pods as of last week, decision making time is upon us. Products such as NACHURS SRN® or NACHURS N-Rage® Max may be applied alone or in conjunction with pesticides (fungicides, insecticides, etc.) at crop stage R1-R3 at a rate of 1 to 2 gallons/ acre to help soybeans achieve their complete yield potential. Cotton: Cotton fields in much of the South are experiencing browning or bronzing of the foliage. Various fungal pathogens are blamed for the damage. However, according to researchers these pathogens are most likely secondary problems that are caused by “non-pathogenic stresses” – which means nutrient deficiencies, especially potassium. Potassium, phosphorous, and nitrogen are mobile within plants and are transported to the parts of the plants with the most demand. In a crop with heavy boll load, these mobile nutrients will be translocated from the leaves to the developing bolls and causes nutrient deficiencies in the leaves and can lead to secondary pathogen infections discussed above. If we allow the condition to persist as the crop matures, there is not much that can be done to remedy the situation. However, in areas where the cotton crop is still developing, producers should be aware that potassium movement from the soil into the plant decreases significantly as the cotton nears peak bloom, leaving foliar applied potassium as the best method of application during and after that time. Products such as NACHURS playmaKer®, NACHURS Triple Option®, and/or NACHURS K-fuel® should be applied alone or in conjunction with other crop protection applications at early to peak bloom at a rate of 1 to 2 gallons/acre.

Soybeans :

A recent article in Agronomy Journal reported that soybean yields may be increased with late season foliar applications of nitrogen. It states that high yielding beans have a greater demand for nitrogen to fill the seed pods than what they are capable of fixing biologically.

With approximately 55% of the U.S. crop setting pods as of last week, decision making time is upon us. Products such as NACHURS SRN ® or NACHURS N-Rage ® Max may be applied alone or in conjunction with pesticides (fungicides, insecticides, etc.) at crop stage R1-R3 at a rate of 1 to 2 gallons/ acre to help soybeans achieve their complete yield potential.

Cotton :

Cotton fields in much of the South are experiencing browning or bronzing of the foliage. Various fungal pathogens are blamed for the damage. However, according to researchers these pathogens are most likely secondary problems that are caused by “non-pathogenic stresses” – which means nutrient deficiencies, especially potassium.

Products such as NACHURS playmaKer® , NACHURS Triple Option® , and/or NACHURS K-fuel® should be applied alone or in conjunction with other crop protection applications at early to peak bloom at a rate of 1 to 2 gallons/acre.

Don't Take Potassium for Granted

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Sun, 23 Jul 2017 11:30:00 GMT

Nitrogen is critical for plant development, health, and yield. Nitrogen management has always received the most attention. As the plant’s lifecycle shifts into reproductive mode, nearly all of its internal energy begins moving nutrients to fruit development. A key component in transporting these nutrients is potassium. As the plant matures, potassium levels nearly always drop at the most critical time. Potassium plays a very important role in the life cycle and is often overlooked and taken for granted. The list below are just a few of the key functions of potassium: Aids in overall plant health and defense mechanisms Builds cellulose for stalk and stem strength Essential in starch and protein production/formation Major role in internal water regulation Regulates CO2 uptake Activation of strategic enzymes Fruit development and grain fill As it has been mentioned time and time again, it is important to monitor soil health and nutrition levels periodically during the growing season. Especially monitor potassium levels as the crop begins to transition into reproductive mode. It is much more difficult to catch up if deficiency symptoms become visible. Many of our customers incorporate a foliar potassium program later in season to ensure their K levels remain sufficient to high. NACHURS K-fuel (0-0-24) powered by Bio-K is ideal for this management practice. It is compatible with most any crop protection material to “ride” with normal foliar applications of those products. If a grower is planning on multiple foliar applications in a season, applying 1 gal/ac of NACHURS K-fuel each time is both cost effective, efficient, and plant beneficial. Bio-K is by far the most soluble, available, compatible, efficient, and beneficial form of foliar applied potassium in production agriculture. Monitor all nutrient levels but during flowering pay particular attention to your potassium levels and prevent low K symptoms from reducing production yields and overall plant health. MS State University Potassium Deficiency in Cotton Mosaic Crop Nutrition Potassium Deficiency in Soybean

Potassium plays a very important role in the life cycle and is often overlooked and taken for granted. The list below are just a few of the key functions of potassium:

As it has been mentioned time and time again, it is important to monitor soil health and nutrition levels periodically during the growing season. Especially monitor potassium levels as the crop begins to transition into reproductive mode. It is much more difficult to catch up if deficiency symptoms become visible.

Many of our customers incorporate a foliar potassium program later in season to ensure their K levels remain sufficient to high. NACHURS K-fuel (0-0-24) powered by Bio-K is ideal for this management practice. It is compatible with most any crop protection material to “ride” with normal foliar applications of those products. If a grower is planning on multiple foliar applications in a season, applying 1 gal/ac of NACHURS K-fuel each time is both cost effective, efficient, and plant beneficial. Bio-K is by far the most soluble, available, compatible, efficient, and beneficial form of foliar applied potassium in production agriculture.

YaraVita PROCOTE application equipment by Micro Matic

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Mon, 17 Jul 2017 09:34:00 GMT

YaraVita Procote is an oil-based formulation that is heavy and thick. To optimize blending results, NACHURS and Micro Matic have developed recommended equipment options. The equipment that has been specified meets the material handling requirements of YaraVita Procote’s physical properties.

NACHURS Core Beliefs

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 10:07:00 GMT

NACHURS fertilizer is the best component of an overall well-rounded fertility program. The days of putting on the entire amount of fertilizer pre-plant are over. I decided to write this blog about NACHURS core beliefs because there are a lot of people that don’t know what NACHURS is all about. NACHURS fertilizer came into existence over 70 years ago. We believe the best way to sustainability is to follow the 4R nutrient stewardship program. NACHURS has preached this from the beginning. NACHURS fertilizer is highly soluble and readily available for plant uptake. We believe in placing the right high quality nutrients in the right place using the right amount of fertilizer at the right time. We advocate putting starter fertilizer with the seed at planting. Everyone agrees that the key to high yields is a quick starting, uniform stand. Cool wet soils inhibit root development and nutrient uptake. We definitely had cool wet soils this spring in Nebraska this year. We see the pictures every year of starter vs no starter (photo above). NACHURS recommends spoon feeding your crops for the most efficient use of applied nutrients. In today’s farm economy producers must get a return on the fertilizer being applied. When the markets are good, farmers try to build fertility levels in their soils. Now, with markets being low, efficiency is the key to survival. Broadcasting large amounts of dry fertilizer is not efficient and the return on investment takes a few years. Producers today need to have a solid fertility plan. They need to precision place fertility so that crops can recover the applied fertilizer for maximum return on investment. NACHURS has products that fit every application opportunity from dry broadcast to in-furrow starters, from side-dress, and foliar applications to fertigation. Our new lineup of premium and specialty products offer cutting edge technology and the biological edge farmers are looking for. Don’t go backwards, go to nachurs.com for more information on how we can help you. We’re happy to talk fertilizer.

NACHURS fertilizer came into existence over 70 years ago. We believe the best way to sustainability is to follow the 4R nutrient stewardship program. NACHURS has preached this from the beginning. NACHURS fertilizer is highly soluble and readily available for plant uptake. We believe in placing the right high quality nutrients in the right place using the right amount of fertilizer at the right time. We advocate putting starter fertilizer with the seed at planting. Everyone agrees that the key to high yields is a quick starting, uniform stand. Cool wet soils inhibit root development and nutrient uptake. We definitely had cool wet soils this spring in Nebraska this year. We see the pictures every year of starter vs no starter (photo above).

NACHURS recommends spoon feeding your crops for the most efficient use of applied nutrients. In today’s farm economy producers must get a return on the fertilizer being applied. When the markets are good, farmers try to build fertility levels in their soils. Now, with markets being low, efficiency is the key to survival. Broadcasting large amounts of dry fertilizer is not efficient and the return on investment takes a few years. Producers today need to have a solid fertility plan. They need to precision place fertility so that crops can recover the applied fertilizer for maximum return on investment. NACHURS has products that fit every application opportunity from dry broadcast to in-furrow starters, from side-dress, and foliar applications to fertigation. Our new lineup of premium and specialty products offer cutting edge technology and the biological edge farmers are looking for. Don’t go backwards, go to nachurs.com for more information on how we can help you. We’re happy to talk fertilizer.

Soil Health: a Function of Time in Nature and Practice in Production Agriculture

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Wed, 05 Jul 2017 08:29:00 GMT

If anyone has ever cleared off timber to open up new farm ground you can testify to the health of that soil and the impact it has on the early crops from that new farm. That’s a testimony to time and Mother Nature. Over time the balance and the state of the physical, chemical and biological property of the new soil came to be. Completely supportive, sustainable and self-perpetuating. It isn’t until we take a step back a few years in passing that we realize that the heathy soil advantage is being impacted by our practice and cropping methods. Well I think we have all been in that scenario and have all had those same thoughts, wishing we could build that healthy soil again. In the length of my own career I have seen this revelation and more importantly I am seeing it swing back the other way and much of our work now is focused on rebuilding our soil health. With so much talk out there about Soil Health it can begin to sound like a quick fix, just add a little of this and do a little of that and your all set. I wish it was that easy and the soils were that quick to respond! I don’t want to get into this too deeply, we’ll save that for another conversation, but I would like to touch upon a few basic thoughts on the subject. The truth is, Soil Health is as much about what you do as it is what you use! You see true Soil Health is a balance of soil properties. A healthy soil is one that has sufficiency and balance between the Physical,the Chemical and the Biological properties of the soil. The Physical propertiesof the soil is about structure, the particle shape and size, the balance between sand, silt, clay and soil organic matter and the soil porosity. The Physical property is where the crop will find anchorage, the presence of oxygen, water, carbon and the storage of nutrient. Where symbiotic biology resides and where the fuel for growth is exchanged. Things that can decrease the physical soil attributes are poor aggregate balance where soils lack balance between the particle types and may possess too much sand, silt, clay or soil organic matter in proportion to the other components. They are soils that are too open or soils that lack porosity and can hold little water or oxygen due to overworked soil, soil worked too wet or due to flooding as many areas have experienced this growing season. There are practices that we can adopt that will support or improve the physical state of our soils and the first practice must be discipline! Resist the urge to make all of those historical tillage passes and stay off wetter soil until its ready. Consider Minimum or No-Tillage systems and strongly consider introducing cover crops into your practices. Cover crops can help us improve structure and build carbon back into the soil. Cover crops also penetrate soil layers and aggregates while supporting nutrient mineralization, repositioning and/or sequestration. Cover crops also provide a thriving environment for biology during the between season of agricultural crops. A healthy Physical soil structure will provide a place for the crop to grow, where roots can freely explore the spaces between soil aggregates and acquire the necessary components for growth. Chemical properties of the soil, in part, build off of the soil structure. The total exchange capacity of soil is impacted by the balance of soil colloids. Sand, silt, clay and soil organic matter particles all have independently unique exchange capacities. Nutrient balance and pH are key components to the Chemical property of soils. Soils without nutrient balance will not support effective nutrient exchange and will result in plant stress or nutrient deficiency. An over present nutrient can act like an antagonist to other nutrients and impede nutrient uptake. A good example of this is too much calcium. Too much calcium can and will complex with phosphorus forming calcium phosphate rendering both nutrients useless. It will also tend to push potassium off the soil colloid and if not taken up by the crop will expose the liberated potassium to precipitation through the soil profile, especially if it happens to be sandy in structure. Soil pH can influence this action dramatically! The pH of a soil can impact nutrient availability and overall soil health not only by promoting complexes but it will also have an impact on the solubility of many nutrients. A good example here would be iron! The plant uptake form of iron is a divalent form or a Fe2+ form. Iron residing in soils with a pH of 6 to 6.5 will support this Fe2+ form however if the pH is allowed to increase over 6.5 that Iron molecule’s state of oxidation will be altered and convert to a Fe3+ or even a Fe4+ form and the solubility of that iron molecule will decrease exponentially. At that point even if you can have an abundance of iron reported on a soil test you could still see iron deficiency in your crop. The natural tendency in soil chemistry is that a soil left alone to the devices of nature will over time find equilibrium. However a soil in crop rotation that is out of balance due to poor nutrient management, overproduction or the destruction of nutrient exchange capacity will tend to add stress on crops and impact overall crop production in that environment. The Chemical soil environment can also impact the Biological property of the soil! Soil Biology can reside in a wide range of soil environments, some forms of biology function better in a higher pH for example while others prefer a lower pH. Some perform better in soils with higher nutrient levels while others in lower levels. The scope and concentration of soil biology is a tender balance originating over many years and is very specific for that environment and indigenous plant community. In years past, our soils were more capable to recover from our cropping methods. We did less tillage in some respects, we added more organic matter back into the soil and in many cases fallowed and used more companion and cover crops. Our pesticide focus was different then and we used more mechanical means of weed control. More importantly we didn’t carry out as much and push our soils then as we do today. This realization has prompted many to seek methods of production today and choose products that support soil health. Even our industry as a whole finds value in this venture, so much, that great effort is being put into research, production and education towards the use of such products and methods. We’re having some impact with nutrient, traffic and tillage management and we’re now making headway with the introduction of biological inputs. We are harvesting more bushels per acre in some cases by recreating that healthy soil environment and managing the details, the small players in our production, the soil biology. NACHURS Rhyzo-Link is a product line focused on promoting soil and plant health. NACHURS Rhyzo-Link products are fortified with a cultured consortium of highly populated Rhizobacteria and are built with purpose, designed to restore and promote beneficial bacteria necessary for sustainable crop production. Not only is rhizobacteria needed in plants to support biological function, nutrient mineralization and assimilation but rhizobacteria have a role to play in soil balance and in soil health as well. Production practices and products to rebuild soil health may very well be the key to the future of sustainable Agriculture! You can find more information on our Rhyzo-Link products on our website at www.nachurs.com , from previous blogs or from any of our NACHURS representatives.

It isn’t until we take a step back a few years in passing that we realize that the heathy soil advantage is being impacted by our practice and cropping methods. Well I think we have all been in that scenario and have all had those same thoughts, wishing we could build that healthy soil again. In the length of my own career I have seen this revelation and more importantly I am seeing it swing back the other way and much of our work now is focused on rebuilding our soil health.

With so much talk out there about Soil Health it can begin to sound like a quick fix, just add a little of this and do a little of that and your all set. I wish it was that easy and the soils were that quick to respond! I don’t want to get into this too deeply, we’ll save that for another conversation, but I would like to touch upon a few basic thoughts on the subject.

The truth is, Soil Health is as much about what you do as it is what you use! You see true Soil Health is a balance of soil properties. A healthy soil is one that has sufficiency and balance between the Physical ,the Chemical and the Biological properties of the soil.

The Physical propertiesof the soil is about structure, the particle shape and size, the balance between sand, silt, clay and soil organic matter and the soil porosity. The Physical property is where the crop will find anchorage, the presence of oxygen, water, carbon and the storage of nutrient. Where symbiotic biology resides and where the fuel for growth is exchanged.

Things that can decrease the physical soil attributes are poor aggregate balance where soils lack balance between the particle types and may possess too much sand, silt, clay or soil organic matter in proportion to the other components. They are soils that are too open or soils that lack porosity and can hold little water or oxygen due to overworked soil, soil worked too wet or due to flooding as many areas have experienced this growing season.

There are practices that we can adopt that will support or improve the physical state of our soils and the first practice must be discipline! Resist the urge to make all of those historical tillage passes and stay off wetter soil until its ready. Consider Minimum or No-Tillage systems and strongly consider introducing cover crops into your practices.

Cover crops can help us improve structure and build carbon back into the soil. Cover crops also penetrate soil layers and aggregates while supporting nutrient mineralization, repositioning and/or sequestration. Cover crops also provide a thriving environment for biology during the between season of agricultural crops.

A healthy Physical soil structure will provide a place for the crop to grow, where roots can freely explore the spaces between soil aggregates and acquire the necessary components for growth.

Chemical properties of the soil, in part, build off of the soil structure. The total exchange capacity of soil is impacted by the balance of soil colloids. Sand, silt, clay and soil organic matter particles all have independently unique exchange capacities.

Nutrient balance and pH are key components to the Chemical property of soils. Soils without nutrient balance will not support effective nutrient exchange and will result in plant stress or nutrient deficiency. An over present nutrient can act like an antagonist to other nutrients and impede nutrient uptake.

A good example of this is too much calcium. Too much calcium can and will complex with phosphorus forming calcium phosphate rendering both nutrients useless. It will also tend to push potassium off the soil colloid and if not taken up by the crop will expose the liberated potassium to precipitation through the soil profile, especially if it happens to be sandy in structure.

Soil pH can influence this action dramatically! The pH of a soil can impact nutrient availability and overall soil health not only by promoting complexes but it will also have an impact on the solubility of many nutrients.

A good example here would be iron! The plant uptake form of iron is a divalent form or a Fe ²⁺ form. Iron residing in soils with a pH of 6 to 6.5 will support this Fe ²⁺ form however if the pH is allowed to increase over 6.5 that Iron molecule’s state of oxidation will be altered and convert to a Fe ³⁺ or even a Fe ⁴⁺ form and the solubility of that iron molecule will decrease exponentially. At that point even if you can have an abundance of iron reported on a soil test you could still see iron deficiency in your crop.

The natural tendency in soil chemistry is that a soil left alone to the devices of nature will over time find equilibrium. However a soil in crop rotation that is out of balance due to poor nutrient management, overproduction or the destruction of nutrient exchange capacity will tend to add stress on crops and impact overall crop production in that environment.

The Chemical soil environment can also impact the Biological property of the soil!

Soil Biology can reside in a wide range of soil environments, some forms of biology function better in a higher pH for example while others prefer a lower pH. Some perform better in soils with higher nutrient levels while others in lower levels. The scope and concentration of soil biology is a tender balance originating over many years and is very specific for that environment and indigenous plant community.

In years past, our soils were more capable to recover from our cropping methods. We did less tillage in some respects, we added more organic matter back into the soil and in many cases fallowed and used more companion and cover crops. Our pesticide focus was different then and we used more mechanical means of weed control. More importantly we didn’t carry out as much and push our soils then as we do today.

This realization has prompted many to seek methods of production today and choose products that support soil health. Even our industry as a whole finds value in this venture, so much, that great effort is being put into research, production and education towards the use of such products and methods.

We’re having some impact with nutrient, traffic and tillage management and we’re now making headway with the introduction of biological inputs. We are harvesting more bushels per acre in some cases by recreating that healthy soil environment and managing the details, the small players in our production, the soil biology.

NACHURS Rhyzo-Link is a product line focused on promoting soil and plant health. NACHURS Rhyzo-Link products are fortified with a cultured consortium of highly populated Rhizobacteria and are built with purpose, designed to restore and promote beneficial bacteria necessary for sustainable crop production.

Not only is rhizobacteria needed in plants to support biological function, nutrient mineralization and assimilation but rhizobacteria have a role to play in soil balance and in soil health as well. Production practices and products to rebuild soil health may very well be the key to the future of sustainable Agriculture!

www.nachurs.com

USING PLANT TISSUE ANALYSIS

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Thu, 29 Jun 2017 07:26:00 GMT

Using plant tissue analysis is a common practice for many innovative farmers because it is extremely useful when used as a tool to manage plant health. Like soil sampling, plant tissue sampling provides a useful data point. Ultimately, these data points combined with in-field monitoring and producer experience allow managers to identify nutrient uptake challenges. This knowledge is essential for future nutrient management decisions. Taking the Sample It is extremely important to take good samples to submit to the lab. All analyses are only as good as the sample that is taken. Most importantly, never use a metal container. In the field it is okay to use a clean plastic pail or a paper bag to hold the samples. Also, review the standards that the lab publishes to take the samples from the correct part of the plant for each stage of growth. When preparing the samples use a dry brush to remove dust or spray residue. If stubborn residue exists or if one suspects residual from prior foliar applications remaining on the leaf surface make sure to use a damp cloth or even wash samples with distilled water. When mailing it is good to air-dry the samples and always use a clean paper bag or envelope. NEVER use a plastic to mail or store samples! Understanding the Analysis The plant tissue analysis will report the nutrient status of the plant, or the flow of nutrients to plant tissues during the growing season. Essentially, it tells you how well your fertilizer program is working given the soil and the environment for the year. The information will help identify unseen hunger or possibly confirm observed deficiencies. Paying attention to the information and working to correct deficiencies is critical for producers who want to increase production. Sometimes the information may help producers adjust during the current growing year, often it requires adjustments to the fertility program for the following years. Using the Analysis Finally, use the information you have collected! If soil analysis indicates that there are ample nutrients, or if you are fertilizing to recommendations, but the nutrients don’t seem to be making it into the plant, you need to evaluate your program. Nutrient uptake can be hindered by many factors. There are soil antagonists, salts, spray water issues, climate or soil environment issues, and even nutrient placement, timing, rate, and sources that may need to be adjusted. As always, contact your local NACHURS fertilizer representative if you would like help using the analysis and to help identify ways to overcome obstacles with nutrient uptake.

Taking the Sample

It is extremely important to take good samples to submit to the lab. All analyses are only as good as the sample that is taken. Most importantly, never use a metal container.

Understanding the Analysis

The plant tissue analysis will report the nutrient status of the plant, or the flow of nutrients to plant tissues during the growing season. Essentially, it tells you how well your fertilizer program is working given the soil and the environment for the year. The information will help identify unseen hunger or possibly confirm observed deficiencies. Paying attention to the information and working to correct deficiencies is critical for producers who want to increase production. Sometimes the information may help producers adjust during the current growing year, often it requires adjustments to the fertility program for the following years.

Using the Analysis

Finally, use the information you have collected! If soil analysis indicates that there are ample nutrients, or if you are fertilizing to recommendations, but the nutrients don’t seem to be making it into the plant, you need to evaluate your program. Nutrient uptake can be hindered by many factors. There are soil antagonists, salts, spray water issues, climate or soil environment issues, and even nutrient placement, timing, rate, and sources that may need to be adjusted. As always, contact your local NACHURS fertilizer representative if you would like help using the analysis and to help identify ways to overcome obstacles with nutrient uptake.

Your Plants Don't Lie

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 08:43:00 GMT

It is hard to believe much of anything we are told, hear, or fed through all of the multiple media sources these days. Honesty, decorum, civility, and trustworthiness seems to have evaporated from society and for us baby boomers, it’s sad and discouraging. Hopefully things will return to a positive place and our next generation of young people will have the opportunity to appreciate what taking people at their word and a firm handshake truly mean. One thing that is real and without fault are our crops: our plants never lie and will always tell us what is going on with their health. This is the time of season to consider pulling leaf samples for lab analysis. Our plants will tell us what, if any, nutrient is deficient and may need replenishing. We pull a lot of leaf tissue samples and over the years, potassium has become the leading primary nutrient becoming more and more deficient. Our genetics have improved production potential to a new level, our populations have increased, and we remove a lot more plant nutrients with the combine and picker than we did just 8 – 10 years ago. It is important to monitor plant nutrient levels in order to maintain production and yield. Below are some typical deficiency symptoms we often see. NACHURS nutrient programs encourages incorporation of tissue testing in order to prevent any of these symptoms. Our goal is for your crop NOT to have any big dips or spikes in nutrient levels. There are a host of labs who do excellent work, not to mention most land grand universities. Waypoint Labs, Waters Labs, Midwest Labs are three that a lot of agrons use. Bottom line: look at your crop and take some random leaf samples from near the top of the plant. Let the plant tell you what it needs before it becomes deficient. Your local NACHURS rep and dealer will be able to help determine the best nutrient route to take to maintain optimal levels.

One thing that is real and without fault are our crops: our plants never lie and will always tell us what is going on with their health. This is the time of season to consider pulling leaf samples for lab analysis. Our plants will tell us what, if any, nutrient is deficient and may need replenishing. We pull a lot of leaf tissue samples and over the years, potassium has become the leading primary nutrient becoming more and more deficient.

Our genetics have improved production potential to a new level, our populations have increased, and we remove a lot more plant nutrients with the combine and picker than we did just 8 – 10 years ago. It is important to monitor plant nutrient levels in order to maintain production and yield. Below are some typical deficiency symptoms we often see. NACHURS nutrient programs encourages incorporation of tissue testing in order to prevent any of these symptoms. Our goal is for your crop NOT to have any big dips or spikes in nutrient levels.

Just When We Think We Have a Break in the Action!

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Tue, 13 Jun 2017 08:45:00 GMT

Now that we have the planting and replanting all finished up we're entering one of the greatest feeding times for our corn crop. Over the next couple months we will all witness something amazing as we watch our corn reach for the sky. As it accumulates, this large mass of vegetation comes with a price; it will be solubilizing and mineralizing nutrients that we have supplied it to do its job. During this period it is our job as its caretaker to make sure it is not deficient in any nutrient that we can provide via foliar or side dress. This is why one of the best things we can provide it during this time is our own shadow, by walking our fields and digging roots. We may not be able to recover from a nutrient deficiency if we wait too long. If we catch it early enough we can prevent any further loss of yield potential. This is always a good time to foliar feed nutrients. Even when we do see a deficiency we can push our yield potential. Ask you NACHURS distributor how we can help your crop.

Don't Miss Opportunities

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Tue, 30 May 2017 18:55:00 GMT

Is side-dressing fertilizer part of your farm operation? If so, are you using it to the fullest potential? In a year like this when the spring is wet and we may have had some nitrogen loss to leaching and denitrification, side-dressing is a great way to add N but also gives an opportunity for additional potassium and sulfur application which may be needed for N uptake. Nitrogen and potassium are the two most used nutrients when growing corn, followed by phosphorous and sulfur. We have heard for years now that the most efficient use of fertilizer is achieved when nutrients are split applied in plant available form. NACHURS premium line of fertilizers uses NACHURS Bio-K as the potassium source. NACHURS K-fuel and NACHURS K-flex are optimum side-dress products that offer the most efficient plant available form of potassium on the market. Side-dressing is not just for nitrogen. In years when there is excessive rains and cooler cloudy weather, your corn can turn yellow and not grow well. Many times your N:S ratio is out of balance. Adding NACHURS K-flex 0-0-19-6S to your side-dress application can remedy this. Opportunities are in front of you, don’t miss out.

We have heard for years now that the most efficient use of fertilizer is achieved when nutrients are split applied in plant available form. NACHURS premium line of fertilizers uses NACHURS Bio-K as the potassium source. NACHURS K-fuel and NACHURS K-flex are optimum side-dress products that offer the most efficient plant available form of potassium on the market. Side-dressing is not just for nitrogen. In years when there is excessive rains and cooler cloudy weather, your corn can turn yellow and not grow well. Many times your N:S ratio is out of balance. Adding NACHURS K-flex 0-0-19-6S to your side-dress application can remedy this. Opportunities are in front of you, don’t miss out.

NACHURS is always High Quality Plant Nutrition but sometimes we're much more than that!

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Wed, 24 May 2017 16:10:00 GMT

The dependability of NACHURS high quality, cutting edge products play a part of all types of production and in all regions of the nation but that dependability and performance can mean so much more to others. Now I’ve worked with many crops and with all kinds of growers across the US but along with Sara Beasley, our Southern Illinois District Sales Manager, I recently encountered a legacy farm family with a different focus. During my follow up on our strawberry production, I spoke to Tom Dutkanyach, Eckert’s Production Manager, about the crop production, quality and upcoming crops. Tom spoke of the challenging weather, too much rain of course, and the cycle of production timing and harvest. Tom went on to tell us that over 16K quarts were picked the weekend before our visit. When we were there it looked like the pace hadn’t slowed all that much through the week either. We then moved on to follow up on other areas of the farm where NACHURS is also supplying products and technical services and after our final field evaluation, we went on into the Farm Market to check out the merchandising and fruit quality being sold. There, we met up with Chris Eckert, President of Eckert’s Inc., where Chris begun to share with us more of the Eckert tradition. We learned that the seed of the Eckert’s Legacy was sown, you could say, in 1837 when Johann Peter Eckert immigrated to the United States from Germany. Later migration led his son Michael to a farm they call Drum Hill near Fayetteville, Illinois just south of St. Louis. In 1890 Michael’s son Henry moved onto the Turkey Hill Farm here in Belleville, Illinois where you will find acres and acres of orchards planted with apples and peaches and countless trellises of beautiful blackberries in full bloom. Other parts of the farm fresh vegetables blanket the acres and the corner of the plot of ground is anchored with a grand Farm Store and Country Restaurant that is operated year around. Eckert’s retail operations started as a humble roadside farmstand, opened by Alvin O. Eckert in 1910 on the Turkey Hill Farm in Belleville, and have transformed into state-of-the-art facilities, including the Country Restaurant—a dining destination for down-home cooking in the St. Louis metropolitan area—and the Country Store and Garden Center, which carry seasonally fresh produce and plants, home-baked bakery treats, fresh meats and deli creations, gourmet cheeses, specialty foods and unique gift items. The Eckert family also operates orchards and general stores in Millstadt and Grafton, Illinois. The quaint, rustic Grafton farm sits atop a Mississippi River bluff outside of Alton, Illinois, and the Millstadt Fun Farm is perfect for families seeking a day or evening of outdoor country entertainment as well as apple or pumpkin picking during the fall. While visiting with Chris Eckert, I begun to realize that the traditional commercial focus of maximizing crop production here is replaced with a family focused effort both towards the Eckert family but more importantly their customer’s families. You see, the Eckert focus is all about the work and lifestyle associated with the production and the Legacy Farm, producing wholesome crops from land that has been an Eckert family mission for centuries and sharing that appreciation for the land and farm life with the families of their customers. The rolling land around the Belleville location bursts with the bounty from the Eckert land and provide countless families the pleasure of making a day of picking fruit, fellowship and on many occasions’ music and festivities. Chris tells us that on a single weekend they will play host to 6000 plus happy harvesters on the acres of strawberries and that begins the harvest and festival activities for the season. One clear advantage for a grower with this much diversity is the depth of products that we have. NACHURS is able to take advantage of all of our technologies and use our product and technical abilities here at the Eckert farm just like we have on their strawberries, blackberries and on to their pumpkins and other crops later on in the season. There’s no better advantage to production than linking the benefit of products like our Bio-K, Rhyzo-Link and Aqua-Tech together with our understanding of plant nutrition. You can find more information on the Eckert Orchard properties, seasonal crops and concert series at www.eckerts.com NACHURS has had the privilege assisting in the production of one of the most productive strawberry crops for Chris and his family and in part, helping the Eckert legacy bring wholesome fruits and vegetables to the tables of their patrons all while bringing smiles and happiness in the experience. Field to Fork as they say and the grower is able to be a part of the experience!

Now I’ve worked with many crops and with all kinds of growers across the US but along with Sara Beasley, our Southern Illinois District Sales Manager, I recently encountered a legacy farm family with a different focus.

During my follow up on our strawberry production, I spoke to Tom Dutkanyach, Eckert’s Production Manager, about the crop production, quality and upcoming crops. Tom spoke of the challenging weather, too much rain of course, and the cycle of production timing and harvest. Tom went on to tell us that over 16K quarts were picked the weekend before our visit. When we were there it looked like the pace hadn’t slowed all that much through the week either.

We then moved on to follow up on other areas of the farm where NACHURS is also supplying products and technical services and after our final field evaluation, we went on into the Farm Market to check out the merchandising and fruit quality being sold. There, we met up with Chris Eckert, President of Eckert’s Inc., where Chris begun to share with us more of the Eckert tradition.

We learned that the seed of the Eckert’s Legacy was sown, you could say, in 1837 when Johann Peter Eckert immigrated to the United States from Germany. Later migration led his son Michael to a farm they call Drum Hill near Fayetteville, Illinois just south of St. Louis. In 1890 Michael’s son Henry moved onto the Turkey Hill Farm here in Belleville, Illinois where you will find acres and acres of orchards planted with apples and peaches and countless trellises of beautiful blackberries in full bloom. Other parts of the farm fresh vegetables blanket the acres and the corner of the plot of ground is anchored with a grand Farm Store and Country Restaurant that is operated year around.

Eckert’s retail operations started as a humble roadside farmstand, opened by Alvin O. Eckert in 1910 on the Turkey Hill Farm in Belleville, and have transformed into state-of-the-art facilities, including the Country Restaurant—a dining destination for down-home cooking in the St. Louis metropolitan area—and the Country Store and Garden Center, which carry seasonally fresh produce and plants, home-baked bakery treats, fresh meats and deli creations, gourmet cheeses, specialty foods and unique gift items.

The Eckert family also operates orchards and general stores in Millstadt and Grafton, Illinois. The quaint, rustic Grafton farm sits atop a Mississippi River bluff outside of Alton, Illinois, and the Millstadt Fun Farm is perfect for families seeking a day or evening of outdoor country entertainment as well as apple or pumpkin picking during the fall.

While visiting with Chris Eckert, I begun to realize that the traditional commercial focus of maximizing crop production here is replaced with a family focused effort both towards the Eckert family but more importantly their customer’s families.

You see, the Eckert focus is all about the work and lifestyle associated with the production and the Legacy Farm, producing wholesome crops from land that has been an Eckert family mission for centuries and sharing that appreciation for the land and farm life with the families of their customers.

The rolling land around the Belleville location bursts with the bounty from the Eckert land and provide countless families the pleasure of making a day of picking fruit, fellowship and on many occasions’ music and festivities. Chris tells us that on a single weekend they will play host to 6000 plus happy harvesters on the acres of strawberries and that begins the harvest and festival activities for the season.

One clear advantage for a grower with this much diversity is the depth of products that we have. NACHURS is able to take advantage of all of our technologies and use our product and technical abilities here at the Eckert farm just like we have on their strawberries, blackberries and on to their pumpkins and other crops later on in the season. There’s no better advantage to production than linking the benefit of products like our Bio-K, Rhyzo-Link and Aqua-Tech together with our understanding of plant nutrition.

You can find more information on the Eckert Orchard properties, seasonal crops and concert series at www.eckerts.com

NACHURS has had the privilege assisting in the production of one of the most productive strawberry crops for Chris and his family and in part, helping the Eckert legacy bring wholesome fruits and vegetables to the tables of their patrons all while bringing smiles and happiness in the experience.

Field to Fork as they say and the grower is able to be a part of the experience!

Proper nutrition: important for stressful situations - reducing yield loss and maybe even gray hair!

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Tue, 16 May 2017 10:26:00 GMT

Everyone has heard that stress causes gray hair. The theory is that hair may become gray in the presence of “free radicals”. These free radicals increase in our body with stress – the same goes for crops; free radicals increase with stress and productivity decreases! The cure for everything from gray hair to wrinkles or any anti-aging remedy has to do with the elimination of free radicals by applying “antioxidants” – again the same goes for crops. Antioxidant is simply a term for a substance that can neutralize a free radical. There are hundreds of different substances that can act as antioxidants and proper nutrition ensures their production. When growing a crop, ultimately it is essential to maintain adequate and balanced plant nutrition to minimize stress. An inadequate and unbalanced supply of nutrients and impaired soil fertility are particular problems, causing decreases in yield. Specifically, application of nutrients like N, K, Ca and Mg reduce the toxicity of certain free radicals by increasing the concentration of antioxidants in the plant cells. These antioxidants make it possible to maximize photosynthesis in plants. Proper crop nutrition can also help with water use efficiency, which is very important in dryland situations and when irrigation water may be limited. K and Ca improve intake of water which helps in stomatal regulation and enhances the temperature stress tolerance by maintaining the plant temperature. Additionally, adequate N and P help maintain water conductivity in root cells. As the growing season gets underway, yield potential for growing the crop is high. As plants emerge they begin to endure stressors such as extremes in soil moisture, temperature and humidity, as well as nutrient deficiency, weed pressure, insect feeding, disease, or herbicide stress. Nutritional uptake by the plant may be limited by soil compaction, tillage practices, soil insects or herbicide application, causing poor plant performance. By applying sidedress nutrient applications, foliar feeding and fertigating farmers are finding ways to spoon-feed the crop as the season progresses. These are scientifically proven and time-tested methods. They will help develop larger root systems and healthier plants. Ensuring plants have a robust root system, strong cell walls and an extra reserve of anti-oxidants will prepare them to handle stress when the summer heat arrives.

The cure for everything from gray hair to wrinkles or any anti-aging remedy has to do with the elimination of free radicals by applying “antioxidants” – again the same goes for crops. Antioxidant is simply a term for a substance that can neutralize a free radical. There are hundreds of different substances that can act as antioxidants and proper nutrition ensures their production.

When growing a crop, ultimately it is essential to maintain adequate and balanced plant nutrition to minimize stress. An inadequate and unbalanced supply of nutrients and impaired soil fertility are particular problems, causing decreases in yield.

Specifically, application of nutrients like N, K, Ca and Mg reduce the toxicity of certain free radicals by increasing the concentration of antioxidants in the plant cells. These antioxidants make it possible to maximize photosynthesis in plants. Proper crop nutrition can also help with water use efficiency, which is very important in dryland situations and when irrigation water may be limited. K and Ca improve intake of water which helps in stomatal regulation and enhances the temperature stress tolerance by maintaining the plant temperature. Additionally, adequate N and P help maintain water conductivity in root cells.

As the growing season gets underway, yield potential for growing the crop is high. As plants emerge they begin to endure stressors such as extremes in soil moisture, temperature and humidity, as well as nutrient deficiency, weed pressure, insect feeding, disease, or herbicide stress.

Nutritional uptake by the plant may be limited by soil compaction, tillage practices, soil insects or herbicide application, causing poor plant performance. By applying sidedress nutrient applications, foliar feeding and fertigating farmers are finding ways to spoon-feed the crop as the season progresses. These are scientifically proven and time-tested methods. They will help develop larger root systems and healthier plants. Ensuring plants have a robust root system, strong cell walls and an extra reserve of anti-oxidants will prepare them to handle stress when the summer heat arrives.

Seventy One Years of Setting and Maintaining a High Bar

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Mon, 08 May 2017 08:35:00 GMT

A year ago I wrote about our company, Nachurs Alpine Solutions, celebrating its seventieth year of manufacturing and distributing reliable, safe, compatible, and dependable true solutions liquid fertilizer. Seventy one years later, NACHURS continues to deliver, to every imaginable farm and crop, a source of pure NPK, top shelf micronutrients, and unparalleled biology and new technologies. As an agronomist, it has been an enjoyable and exciting time working with new and innovative fertility solutions used to improve nutrient issues facing producers across the US, Canada, and abroad. The fact that this fertility company provides sales and technical support to every producer in North America sets NACHURS apart from many other organizations that were founded and built using NACHURS as the model. Besides manufacturing N,P,& K, NACHURS’ commitment to sourcing the best raw materials and staying true to its quality standards has fostered an environment of customer service and reliability. When used as instructed, NACHURS products do what we say they will do. That has value to me and to most other ag consumers. Recently, our crack social media and graphics department (Jenny Phillips, specifically) found some historical newspaper ads. Some of them date back to the 40’s and 50’s. What is interesting and encouraging is the fact that what we discuss and talk about today is very similar to what was presented and talked about decades ago. We have customers today who tell us they have been using NACHURS for two and three generations on their farm. That’s pretty cool. For you agricultural history buffs, the ads below should be an interesting trip back in time. Enjoy…

The fact that this fertility company provides sales and technical support to every producer in North America sets NACHURS apart from many other organizations that were founded and built using NACHURS as the model. Besides manufacturing N,P,& K, NACHURS’ commitment to sourcing the best raw materials and staying true to its quality standards has fostered an environment of customer service and reliability. When used as instructed, NACHURS products do what we say they will do. That has value to me and to most other ag consumers.

NACHURS K-flex powered by Bio-K

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Wed, 03 May 2017 08:31:00 GMT

NACHURS K-flex® fertilizer is designed to be blended with various other fertilizers to provide important nutrients needed to grow high-yielding crops. It can be mixed with APP (i.e. 10-34-0), UAN solutions and liquid urea solutions to provide two very critical elements - Potassium and Sulfur; typically missing from these base fertilizer products. Joe Pflum, NACHURS Sales Agronomist, discusses NACHURS K-flex 2x2 or sidedress application using UAN (urea ammonium nitrate) as the carrier. He demonstrates proper recommended ratios of adding NACHURS K-flex to UAN with no salt out. www.nachurs.com/bio-k

Joe Pflum, NACHURS Sales Agronomist, discusses NACHURS K-flex 2x2 or sidedress application using UAN (urea ammonium nitrate) as the carrier. He demonstrates proper recommended ratios of adding NACHURS K-flex to UAN with no salt out.

www.nachurs.com/bio-k

Read the Label!!!

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 08:12:00 GMT

Labels, Labels, Labels, they are everywhere and on everything. Labels even have their own laws and new laws are being written for labels. Products all over the world are being sold based upon the information on the label. Ingredients listed in order of most to least to try to sway the consumer to purchase the product being offered. You may have seen television commercials for dog food or dog treats touting real meat that dogs prefer. They say, “compare the labels, now which one does your dog deserve?” There are gluten free labels, GMO labels, and Country of origin labels. How many of us actually read all of these labels? Are your buying preferences affected by these labels? I believe the answer is somewhere in that gray zone of “sometimes”. In the agriculture industry the labels are very important and you had better be reading them. Herbicide and insecticide labels may save you from making mistakes that could injure the crop or more importantly you the farmer. There are new products coming to market in agriculture every year. The amount of new biological products being brought to market is huge. The Ag producer needs to read the labels to determine what he is buying and what the benefits are. Biological products containing Plant Growth Promoting Rhizo-bacteria (PGPRs) like NACHURS Rhyzo-Link fertilizer are products containing beneficial bacteria. There are a lot products containing PGPRs. If you read the flashy marketing info you’ll find that many of these products tout the same benefits. Larger roots, better stalk quality, more above ground growth, better stress tolerance, better plant heath, which lead to higher yields. So how do you decide which product to buy? The answer is simple. Read the Label!!! Know what you are buying. The BioAg has been unregulated for the most part and questionable products give the good products a black eye. Good products don’t hide what’s in them. The strains of beneficial PGPRs will be listed and the concentration of PGPRs will be listed as CFUs/ml. The higher the concentration of PGPRs, the better the activity in the soil. The label doesn’t lie.

How many of us actually read all of these labels? Are your buying preferences affected by these labels? I believe the answer is somewhere in that gray zone of “sometimes”.

In the agriculture industry the labels are very important and you had better be reading them. Herbicide and insecticide labels may save you from making mistakes that could injure the crop or more importantly you the farmer. There are new products coming to market in agriculture every year.

How well are you taking care of your volunteer labor force?

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Wed, 12 Apr 2017 08:24:00 GMT

Agriculture, in many forms, has existed for thousands of years and has seen great change. Take for instance in our own grand country how we’ve progressed from placing a seed in the ground with a fish to the precision placement of seed and nutritional products today. We have gone from a few acres to tens of thousands of acres on some farms and perhaps more. In spite of our progress in some ways, though we might not think of it this way, we are still farming small! Let me explain. We think of ourselves as cultivating acres. Ask any farmer, how much land do you farm and he’ll tell you so many acres. Look at any production report and we quantify it as so many acres. Though that is true in one sense it’s not completely accurate. Life as we know it on earth depends on something so small we tend to overlook it. I’m speaking of the biology within the Rhizosphere. Life as we know it depends on the health and vitality of the rhizosphere and the synergistic relationship between biology, soil and the vegetation. The center for production, in truth, moves from the universal acre to approximately 2% of that, the area that contains the rhizosphere. How hard are we working to cover that acre? How much consideration are we giving the real driving force behind crop production? There is soooo much talk today about undocumented workers… well let me remind you that there are billions of undocumented workers in every gram of soil. Billions upon billions of workers on your behalf, supporting life’s processes each and every day. Let me ask you, how well are you taking care of your volunteer labor force? Many of today’s practices and some products stress or damage the Rhizobiology; less tillage and the use of cover crops can help and are good steps toward better stewardship but we can do more. NACHURS Rhyzo-Link products are an additional step we can take when managing the health and activity within the rhizosphere. Adding more workers to the workforce is a big step but even more is adding the right worker to the team. Rhyzo-Link products contain a focused consortium of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria. Partnered with high quality nutrients and Bio-K technology make this a product line built with purpose; the right biological strains that bring the intended value to production as well as the number of colonies that can get the job done. Crop production is a big job carried out by the smallest worker within the smaller area; think small and add Rhyzo-Link products in your program today.

In spite of our progress in some ways, though we might not think of it this way, we are still farming small! Let me explain.

We think of ourselves as cultivating acres. Ask any farmer, how much land do you farm and he’ll tell you so many acres. Look at any production report and we quantify it as so many acres. Though that is true in one sense it’s not completely accurate.

Life as we know it on earth depends on something so small we tend to overlook it. I’m speaking of the biology within the Rhizosphere. Life as we know it depends on the health and vitality of the rhizosphere and the synergistic relationship between biology, soil and the vegetation.

The center for production, in truth, moves from the universal acre to approximately 2% of that, the area that contains the rhizosphere. How hard are we working to cover that acre? How much consideration are we giving the real driving force behind crop production?

There is soooo much talk today about undocumented workers… well let me remind you that there are billions of undocumented workers in every gram of soil. Billions upon billions of workers on your behalf, supporting life’s processes each and every day.

Let me ask you, how well are you taking care of your volunteer labor force?

Many of today’s practices and some products stress or damage the Rhizobiology; less tillage and the use of cover crops can help and are good steps toward better stewardship but we can do more.

NACHURS Rhyzo-Link products are an additional step we can take when managing the health and activity within the rhizosphere. Adding more workers to the workforce is a big step but even more is adding the right worker to the team.

Rhyzo-Link products contain a focused consortium of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria. Partnered with high quality nutrients and Bio-K technology make this a product line built with purpose; the right biological strains that bring the intended value to production as well as the number of colonies that can get the job done.

Crop production is a big job carried out by the smallest worker within the smaller area; think small and add Rhyzo-Link products in your program today.

NACHURS ALPINE SOLUTIONS® SELECTED AS A WINNER IN THE 38th ANNUAL TELLY

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Mon, 03 Apr 2017 11:46:00 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Becky Worley 740-223-3869 worleyb@nachurs.com NACHURS ALPINE SOLUTIONS® SELECTED AS A WINNER IN THE 38th ANNUAL TELLY AWARDS Marion, OH 03/27/2017 – The Telly Awards has named Nachurs Alpine Solutions® as a bronze winner in the 38th Annual Telly Awards for their piece titled Innovations in Fertilizer Technologies. The segment was produced by DMG Productions and part of the Innovations w/Ed Begley, Jr series which airs via Discovery Channel and FOX Business. With over 13,000 entries from all 50 states and numerous countries, this is truly an honor. The initial airings will be Saturday, 05/13 at 5:00 pm ET on Fox Business and American Farmer on RFD-TV on Tuesday, 04/04 at 8:30 am ET. The purpose of this video is to educate growers about sustainability practices that have a strong impact on future generations because of ever increasing populations and decreasing farmlands. Serving the needs of the American Farmer since 1946, NACHURS, the original 4R Company offers four new cutting edge technologies to help address these concerns: NACHURS Bio-K® NACHURS Rhyzo-Link® YaraVita® PROCOTE® NACHURS Aqua-Tech® The Telly Awards was founded in 1979 and is the premier award honoring outstanding local, regional, and cable TV commercials and programs, the finest video and film productions, and online commercials, video and films. Winners represent the best work of the most respected advertising agencies, production companies, television stations, cable operators, and corporate video departments in the world. For its 38th season, The Telly Awards once again joined forces with YouTube to give the public the power to view and rate videos submitted as part of the People’s Telly Awards. In addition to recognition from the Silver Telly Council, the judging panel that selects the Telly Awards winners, the Internet community helps decide the People’s Telly Awards winners. A prestigious judging panel of over 500 accomplished industry professionals, each a past winner of a Silver Telly and a member of The Silver Telly Council, judged the competition, upholding the historical standard of excellence that Telly represents. The Silver Council evaluated entries to recognize distinction in creative work – entries do not compete against each other – rather entries are judged against a high standard of merit. Less than 10% of entries are chosen as Winners of the Silver Telly, our highest honor. Approximately 25% of entries are chosen as Winners of the Bronze Telly. “The Telly Awards has a mission to honor the very best in film and video,” said Linda Day, Executive Director of the Telly Awards. “Nachurs® accomplishment illustrates their creativity, skill, and dedication to their craft and serves as a testament to great film and video production.” “As video becomes an ever-increasing important marketing platform for NACHURS, working with professional companies like DMG Productions helps us maximize the impact our videos have,” says Murray Van Zeggelaar, Vice President of marketing. To find out more about the Telly Awards visit our website at www.tellyawards.com. Nachurs Alpine Solutions is a specialty chemical company that formulates, markets and distributes liquid nutrient materials throughout North America. The liquid fertilizers sold by Nachurs Alpine Solutions are true solution materials and are marketed under the brand name NACHURS® in the U.S. and ALPINE in Canada. In addition to the agricultural product lines, Nachurs Alpine Solutions manufactures and sells products for industrial purposes under the name of NASi. For more information please visit www.nachurs.com Please contact Becky Worley at NACHURS for inquiries: e-mail: worleyb@nachurs.com or call 1-800-622-4877 x 233 ###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Becky Worley

740-223-3869

worleyb@nachurs.com

NACHURS ALPINE SOLUTIONS® SELECTED AS A WINNER IN THE 38th ANNUAL TELLY AWARDS

Marion, OH 03/27/2017 – The Telly Awards has named Nachurs Alpine Solutions® as a bronze winner in the 38th Annual Telly Awards for their piece titled Innovations in Fertilizer Technologies. The segment was produced by DMG Productions and part of the Innovations w/Ed Begley, Jr series which airs via Discovery Channel and FOX Business. With over 13,000 entries from all 50 states and numerous countries, this is truly an honor. The initial airings will be Saturday, 05/13 at 5:00 pm ET on Fox Business and American Farmer on RFD-TV on Tuesday, 04/04 at 8:30 am ET.

The purpose of this video is to educate growers about sustainability practices that have a strong impact on future generations because of ever increasing populations and decreasing farmlands. Serving the needs of the American Farmer since 1946, NACHURS, the original 4R Company offers four new cutting edge technologies to help address these concerns:

The Telly Awards was founded in 1979 and is the premier award honoring outstanding local, regional, and cable TV commercials and programs, the finest video and film productions, and online commercials, video and films. Winners represent the best work of the most respected advertising agencies, production companies, television stations, cable operators, and corporate video departments in the world.

For its 38th season, The Telly Awards once again joined forces with YouTube to give the public the power to view and rate videos submitted as part of the People’s Telly Awards. In addition to recognition from the Silver Telly Council, the judging panel that selects the Telly Awards winners, the Internet community helps decide the People’s Telly Awards winners.

A prestigious judging panel of over 500 accomplished industry professionals, each a past winner of a Silver Telly and a member of The Silver Telly Council, judged the competition, upholding the historical standard of excellence that Telly represents. The Silver Council evaluated entries to recognize distinction in creative work – entries do not compete against each other – rather entries are judged against a high standard of merit. Less than 10% of entries are chosen as Winners of the Silver Telly, our highest honor. Approximately 25% of entries are chosen as Winners of the Bronze Telly.

“The Telly Awards has a mission to honor the very best in film and video,” said Linda Day, Executive Director of the Telly Awards. “Nachurs® accomplishment illustrates their creativity, skill, and dedication to their craft and serves as a testament to great film and video production.”

“As video becomes an ever-increasing important marketing platform for NACHURS, working with professional companies like DMG Productions helps us maximize the impact our videos have,” says Murray Van Zeggelaar, Vice President of marketing.

To find out more about the Telly Awards visit our website at www.tellyawards.com.

Nachurs Alpine Solutions is a specialty chemical company that formulates, markets and distributes liquid nutrient materials throughout North America. The liquid fertilizers sold by Nachurs Alpine Solutions are true solution materials and are marketed under the brand name NACHURS ^® in the U.S. and ALPINE in Canada. In addition to the agricultural product lines, Nachurs Alpine Solutions manufactures and sells products for industrial purposes under the name of NASi.

For more information please visit www.nachurs.com

Please contact Becky Worley at NACHURS for inquiries: e-mail: worleyb@nachurs.com or call 1-800-622-4877 x 233

###

Fertilizer Technology

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 10:20:00 GMT

Technology may be defined as techniques, skills, methods and processes used in the production of any good or service. Everyone is aware of the fact that technology is changing rapidly. At one time, the addition of fertilizer to a crop was a new technological advancement. The modern fertilizer industry can trace its roots back to 1837 when experiments were conducted to identify the effects of manures on plants. New fertilizer technology is focused on improving the efficiency and utilization rate of fertilizer, rather than simply increasing soil’s nutrient level. Additives like adjuvants, organic acids, and microbial solutions are being used to enhance effectiveness. The new technology overcomes the negative nutrient interactions in the soil which limit the availability of fertilizers. Each nutrient is unique in the soil. Nitrogen is very volatile and subject to loss. Phosphorus and micronutrients are notorious for becoming unavailable before the crop has an opportunity to use them. The availability of potassium is limited by soil type, temperature, and pH; usually only 1–2% is readily available. Improvements in fertilizer technology include the adoption of better application equipment like Y-drops, streamer nozzles, strip tillage equipment and variable rate applicators, to name just a few. These tools help with timing and placement of fertilizer to minimize losses to the environment. Likewise, the use of new chemistry is quickly being adopted to slow the loss of nitrogen and to keep phosphorus from locking up in the soil. Fertilizer inputs such as UAN, Anhydrous Ammonia, Urea, MAP, DAP, Polyphosphates and Potash are certainly useful products to manage soil fertility levels. However, by themselves, they do not provide the technology necessary to overcome nutrient uptake issues that are caused by climate, soil, and new crop varieties. New fertilizer technology offered by NACHURS can provide some of the tools necessary to unlock nutrient uptake obstacles. Common sense should tell us that every field, every variety, and every growing season has its own unique set of induced stresses. Utilizing a fertility program based on standardized soil sampling and fertility recommendations which were developed decades ago has little chance to unlock a crop’s complete yield potential which is held captive because of challenges to nutrient uptake.

New fertilizer technology is focused on improving the efficiency and utilization rate of fertilizer, rather than simply increasing soil’s nutrient level. Additives like adjuvants, organic acids, and microbial solutions are being used to enhance effectiveness. The new technology overcomes the negative nutrient interactions in the soil which limit the availability of fertilizers. Each nutrient is unique in the soil. Nitrogen is very volatile and subject to loss. Phosphorus and micronutrients are notorious for becoming unavailable before the crop has an opportunity to use them. The availability of potassium is limited by soil type, temperature, and pH; usually only 1–2% is readily available.

Improvements in fertilizer technology include the adoption of better application equipment like Y-drops, streamer nozzles, strip tillage equipment and variable rate applicators, to name just a few. These tools help with timing and placement of fertilizer to minimize losses to the environment. Likewise, the use of new chemistry is quickly being adopted to slow the loss of nitrogen and to keep phosphorus from locking up in the soil.

Fertilizer inputs such as UAN, Anhydrous Ammonia, Urea, MAP, DAP, Polyphosphates and Potash are certainly useful products to manage soil fertility levels. However, by themselves, they do not provide the technology necessary to overcome nutrient uptake issues that are caused by climate, soil, and new crop varieties.

New fertilizer technology offered by NACHURS can provide some of the tools necessary to unlock nutrient uptake obstacles. Common sense should tell us that every field, every variety, and every growing season has its own unique set of induced stresses. Utilizing a fertility program based on standardized soil sampling and fertility recommendations which were developed decades ago has little chance to unlock a crop’s complete yield potential which is held captive because of challenges to nutrient uptake.

Good Golly Miss Moly... and Cousins Cal and Bo

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Mon, 20 Mar 2017 09:12:00 GMT

We know from Liebig’s Law of the Minimum that maximum plant growth and development is only as possible as the least available plant nutrient. A balanced fertility program in both the soil and plant provides the greatest yield opportunity. We are very familiar and comfortable with NPK, sulfur and zinc. But how much attention do we pay to molybdenum, boron, and calcium requirements and their plant benefits? Each of these 3, fairly inexpensive micronutrients can yield big profits when applied and used effectively. Molybdenum (Mo) plays a strategic role in nitrogen metabolism in nearly ALL crops. In nitrogen fixing plants such as soybeans, peanuts and other legume crops, when molybdenum is deficient these plants may not nodulate well enough to fixate the required nitrogen levels to support plant growth. In most crops, the preferred uptake form of nitrogen is generally the nitrate form, however, the ammonium form provides the activity generated from the nitrogen source. To get from the uptake form (nitrate) to the usable form (ammonium) the nitrate must go through two phases of transformation within the plant. In the first phase of nitrogen reduction, the nitrate is acted upon by the enzyme nitrate reductase and this enzyme is constructed, in part, from the molybdenum molecule. Simply put, any crop that takes up nitrate must rely in some manner on the molybdenum molecule to convert the nitrogen source to a form that can facilitate the activity in the plant. There are studies that suggest adding molybdenum when soil pH is less than 5.7, some recommend Mo at pH 6.2. This particular micronutrient is very cost effective, in that it is inexpensive and very little is needed to make a big impact. It is especially beneficial and efficient when added to NACHURS liquid NPK at the manufacturing plant, making it easy to apply with liquid fertilizer in both in furrow starters and foliar applications. It does not take much to have a big impact on production. Another micronutrient that is cost effective in furrow is calcium (Ca). We have many customers who add 1 pt of NACHURS EDTA 3% Ca in furrow with their NPK starter. It is important to know you MUST use an EDTA Ca when mixing with our orthophosphate. Calcium is critical to building cell walls, stimulating root growth, vigor and stalk strength, as well as, supports a healthy rhizosphere for the soil microbiology. Calcium also plays an important role in nodulation. Calcium does not move much in a plant when foliar applied so in furrow is the best place. It is perfect for peanut producers who add NACHURS NPK starter to their liquid inoculant… include a pint of NACHURS EDTA 3% Ca and add a touch of Moly to the NPK mix and expect a nice ROI. Finally, boron (B) is more familiar to the industry. It is a good practice to foliar apply small amounts at different growth stages, especially flowering. Boron does not translocate long distances within the plant thus making multiple small applications a prudent practice. Boron contributes to starch production, flower initiation and retention, seed development, carbohydrate production, pollen construction and maturation and nitrogen metabolism. When paired with Zinc it will support auxin production which acts as a growth promoter. So in summary: “Miss Moly” along with cousins “Cal” and “Bo” will contribute very positive and dramatic results for very little investment and are very easy to apply. If you are interested in including moly and/or calcium in your nutrient program, NACHURS can add both to the NPK blend at the plant, making it very easy to receive and apply. Credits: Albion Minerals Plant Nutrition Newsletter, Northstar Genetics John Dietz, & Jay Castleman NACHURS CCA and all around good guy

Molybdenum (Mo) plays a strategic role in nitrogen metabolism in nearly ALL crops. In nitrogen fixing plants such as soybeans, peanuts and other legume crops, when molybdenum is deficient these plants may not nodulate well enough to fixate the required nitrogen levels to support plant growth.

In most crops, the preferred uptake form of nitrogen is generally the nitrate form, however, the ammonium form provides the activity generated from the nitrogen source. To get from the uptake form (nitrate) to the usable form (ammonium) the nitrate must go through two phases of transformation within the plant. In the first phase of nitrogen reduction, the nitrate is acted upon by the enzyme nitrate reductase and this enzyme is constructed, in part, from the molybdenum molecule. Simply put, any crop that takes up nitrate must rely in some manner on the molybdenum molecule to convert the nitrogen source to a form that can facilitate the activity in the plant.

There are studies that suggest adding molybdenum when soil pH is less than 5.7, some recommend Mo at pH 6.2. This particular micronutrient is very cost effective, in that it is inexpensive and very little is needed to make a big impact. It is especially beneficial and efficient when added to NACHURS liquid NPK at the manufacturing plant, making it easy to apply with liquid fertilizer in both in furrow starters and foliar applications. It does not take much to have a big impact on production.

Another micronutrient that is cost effective in furrow is calcium (Ca). We have many customers who add 1 pt of NACHURS EDTA 3% Ca in furrow with their NPK starter. It is important to know you MUST use an EDTA Ca when mixing with our orthophosphate. Calcium is critical to building cell walls, stimulating root growth, vigor and stalk strength, as well as, supports a healthy rhizosphere for the soil microbiology. Calcium also plays an important role in nodulation. Calcium does not move much in a plant when foliar applied so in furrow is the best place. It is perfect for peanut producers who add NACHURS NPK starter to their liquid inoculant… include a pint of NACHURS EDTA 3% Ca and add a touch of Moly to the NPK mix and expect a nice ROI.

Finally, boron (B) is more familiar to the industry. It is a good practice to foliar apply small amounts at different growth stages, especially flowering. Boron does not translocate long distances within the plant thus making multiple small applications a prudent practice. Boron contributes to starch production, flower initiation and retention, seed development, carbohydrate production, pollen construction and maturation and nitrogen metabolism. When paired with Zinc it will support auxin production which acts as a growth promoter.

Bob Ruebel: New Chairman of the Fluid Fertilizer Foundation

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Mon, 13 Mar 2017 08:56:00 GMT

Bob Ruebel was elected the Chairman of the Fluid Fertilizer Foundation (FFF) at their 2017 annual meeting on February 21st. Bob has served on the board of the Foundation for 7 Years. The Foundation has served our industry for 35 years. Founded in 1982, the Foundation represents the combined efforts of fertilizer dealers, equipment manufacturers, agricultural chemical producers, commercial laboratories, and basic producers of plant nutrients to provide research and educational funding for continued improvement in the application and efficiency of fluid fertilizers in all programs. The Foundation is supported entirely by dealers, distributors, and manufacturers of fluid fertilizers and equipment. Bob Ruebel Business Director, NACHURS Branded Products

Business Director, NACHURS Branded Products

Nutrient Mobility

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Tue, 07 Mar 2017 08:29:00 GMT

Nutrient mobility chart compiled by: Joe Pflum, CCA

Upcoming Edition of NACHURS on American Farmer

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Thu, 02 Mar 2017 08:22:00 GMT

NACHURS will again be featured on an upcoming edition of American Farmer that airs on RFD-TV, focusing on our newest technology lines. The first two airings for American Farmer will be Tuesday, 04/04/2017 at 8:30 am ET & Tuesday, 05/02/2017 at 8:30 am ET. We will also have our segment airing on Innovations with Ed Begley Jr on Saturday, May 13th at 5:00 pm ET on Fox Business Network.

Farm show season is coming to an end

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Mon, 20 Feb 2017 09:39:00 GMT

The farm show season is coming to a close for another year and at the close of the Commodity Classic March 4th, the 2016-17 crop season will be underway. From Dakotafest in Mitchell SD in August, to the Montana Grain Growers Conference in Great Falls MT, to the KFYR International Ag Show just last week in Bismarck ND. There have been good shows and outstanding farm shows. Even a few disappointments, but overall a very strong show season. Word is out and NACHURS new product line with Bio-K, Rhyzo-Link, Aqua-Tech, and YaraVita Procote are generating a lot of interest. I have answered a lot of questions regarding NACHURS Bio-K. People are genuinely interested in a better form of potassium and Bio-K fits the bill for every type of fertilizer application. Biologicals and soil health are the hot topic in the Ag world and once again NACHURS is the innovator with the Rhyzo-Link lineup. Plant growth promoting rhyzo-bacteria provide beneficial biological compounds to your entire crop and in the end higher yield. YaraVita Procote is for use with dry fertilizer impregnation. This is quickly becoming the micronutrient standard. Aqua-Tech has proven to boost yields through fertigation systems in season making it possible to spoon feed crops throughout the season for greater efficiency. It is or will soon be time to put seed in the ground. I hear seed and chemical company agronomists region wide talk about cheap insurance, usually introducing a new seed treatment or fungicide. Don’t believe for a minute that these products do more than a popup or starter fertilizer treatment. We hear time and again that the key to high yields is strong even emergence and almost every year we see the positive effect of starter fertilizer placed in furrow. The best way to ensure a strong, even stand is to use a quality N-P-K starter. Be very careful when choosing new products. Read labels and ask questions. Make telephone calls. Better yet, come talk to us at the Commodity Classic. We will have a strong presence and a team of professionals to answer your questions. See you in San Antonio, Texas.

The farm show season is coming to a close for another year and at the close of the Commodity Classic March 4 ^th , the 2016-17 crop season will be underway. From Dakotafest in Mitchell SD in August, to the Montana Grain Growers Conference in Great Falls MT, to the KFYR International Ag Show just last week in Bismarck ND. There have been good shows and outstanding farm shows. Even a few disappointments, but overall a very strong show season.

Word is out and NACHURS new product line with Bio-K, Rhyzo-Link, Aqua-Tech, and YaraVita Procote are generating a lot of interest. I have answered a lot of questions regarding NACHURS Bio-K. People are genuinely interested in a better form of potassium and Bio-K fits the bill for every type of fertilizer application. Biologicals and soil health are the hot topic in the Ag world and once again NACHURS is the innovator with the Rhyzo-Link lineup. Plant growth promoting rhyzo-bacteria provide beneficial biological compounds to your entire crop and in the end higher yield. YaraVita Procote is for use with dry fertilizer impregnation. This is quickly becoming the micronutrient standard. Aqua-Tech has proven to boost yields through fertigation systems in season making it possible to spoon feed crops throughout the season for greater efficiency.

It is or will soon be time to put seed in the ground. I hear seed and chemical company agronomists region wide talk about cheap insurance, usually introducing a new seed treatment or fungicide. Don’t believe for a minute that these products do more than a popup or starter fertilizer treatment. We hear time and again that the key to high yields is strong even emergence and almost every year we see the positive effect of starter fertilizer placed in furrow. The best way to ensure a strong, even stand is to use a quality N-P-K starter. Be very careful when choosing new products. Read labels and ask questions. Make telephone calls. Better yet, come talk to us at the Commodity Classic. We will have a strong presence and a team of professionals to answer your questions. See you in San Antonio, Texas.

The Power of Nutrient Science hits the Potato Industry

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Mon, 13 Feb 2017 09:17:00 GMT

Nutrient Research of all types is being conducted on two new sciences from NACHURS and much of the focus has been in the potato industry where some very interesting results have been proving out. Here at NACHURS, we continue to conduct research on relatively new sciences like our Bio-K and Rhyzo-Link product lines to support our product positioning. We also conduct trials to test products and the timing of these applications to determine the most effective time and the most efficient plant site for the treatment. One such example of this is in the Potato industry where nutrient programs containing our Rhyzo-Link and Bio-K products have been tested. This work has led to widely accepted use of NACHURS products in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Maine. Similar work had been done in North Carolina where increases in production were also reported to be significant. A study was conducted by Dr. Samuel Y.C. Essah out of Colorado State University where the timing of Bio-K applications were tested. In the study, the effectiveness of Bio-K applications was compared to Potassium chloride in pre-plant, pre-plant plus foliar and foliar applications. The result of this study, in summary, demonstrate that Bio-K as a source of potassium, did increase total and marketable tuber yields and even though the pre-plant application of KCL did not demonstrate any increases, following the pre-plant application of KCL with a foliar application of Bio-K did significantly increase total, marketable and premium tuber yields. This study also demonstrated that pre-plant applications of Bio-K likewise significantly improved marketable and premium tuber yields. This study can be found in the November 9th publication of Spudman Magazine, titled New Potassium Fertilizer Increases Tuber Yield. There has also been mounting research that demonstrates the benefit of partnering the Bio-K technology and the Rhyzo-Link technology in potato production. Two such studies have been conducted by third parties on both chipping varieties and russets and in replicated trials in Maine, North Carolina, Wisconsin and Washington. One observation that rang clear was that adding both Bio-K and Rhyzo-Link significantly improves overall yield and quality! This evidence is so clear that based on recent trials and past work, NACHURS can confidently make the following general potato recommendation. Chip (in-furrow):6-7 gal NACHURS 6-24-62 gal Rhyzo-Link 3-10-131 gal NACHURS K-fuel 1 qt NACHURS 9% Zn EDTA Chip (foliar):2 gal NACHURS K-fuel + 1 qt NACHURS Finish Line@ 35 Day after emergence1 gal NACHURS Triple Option + 1 qt NACHURS Finish Line@ 50 Days after emergence.75 gal NACHURS K-fuel + 1 pt NACHURS 10% Boron + Water@ 65 Days after emergence Russet (in-furrow):5-6 gal NACHURS 6-24-62 gal Rhyzo-Link 3-10-13 1 gal NACHURS K-fuel1 qt NACHURS 9% Zn EDTA Russet (foliar):2 gal NACHURS K-fuel + 1 qt NACHURS Finish Line @ 45 Days after emergence1 gal NACHURS Triple Option + 1 qt NACHURS Finish Line @ 65 Days after emergence Better yields, better physical and process qualities achieved with new and better sciences. Bio-K and Rhyzo-Link product lines from NACHURS, always the innovator, never the imitator!

Nutrient Research of all types is being conducted on two new sciences from NACHURS and much of the focus has been in the potato industry where some very interesting results have been proving out.

Here at NACHURS, we continue to conduct research on relatively new sciences like our Bio-K and Rhyzo-Link product lines to support our product positioning. We also conduct trials to test products and the timing of these applications to determine the most effective time and the most efficient plant site for the treatment.

One such example of this is in the Potato industry where nutrient programs containing our Rhyzo-Link and Bio-K products have been tested. This work has led to widely accepted use of NACHURS products in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Maine. Similar work had been done in North Carolina where increases in production were also reported to be significant.

A study was conducted by Dr. Samuel Y.C. Essah out of Colorado State University where the timing of Bio-K applications were tested. In the study, the effectiveness of Bio-K applications was compared to Potassium chloride in pre-plant, pre-plant plus foliar and foliar applications.

The result of this study, in summary, demonstrate that Bio-K as a source of potassium, did increase total and marketable tuber yields and even though the pre-plant application of KCL did not demonstrate any increases, following the pre-plant application of KCL with a foliar application of Bio-K did significantly increase total, marketable and premium tuber yields. This study also demonstrated that pre-plant applications of Bio-K likewise significantly improved marketable and premium tuber yields. This study can be found in the November 9 ^th publication of Spudman Magazine, titled New Potassium Fertilizer Increases Tuber Yield.

There has also been mounting research that demonstrates the benefit of partnering the Bio-K technology and the Rhyzo-Link technology in potato production.

Two such studies have been conducted by third parties on both chipping varieties and russets and in replicated trials in Maine, North Carolina, Wisconsin and Washington.

One observation that rang clear was that adding both Bio-K and Rhyzo-Link significantly improves overall yield and quality!

Better yields, better physical and process qualities achieved with new and better sciences. Bio-K and Rhyzo-Link product lines from NACHURS, always the innovator, never the imitator!

Rhyzo-Link: Soil Health You Can See

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 08:01:00 GMT

By now, you have seen the results of countless Rhyzo-Link trials. The end result is usually increased yield due to: (1) greater plant growth; (2) nutrient and water use efficiency, and ultimately (3) soil health. Often, we can visually see these indicators. It is very common to see a healthier, more robust plant above the ground (grater plant growth). When Rhyzo-Link treated crops are dug up and the roots are examined you will often see larger roots with more root hairs (resulting in water and nutrient use efficiency) ….but what about soil health? When scouting the first Rhyzo-Link trial I had ever worked with I noticed that the soil from the Rhyzo-Link treated plants simply wouldn’t wash off of the root system like the soil on the roots from all of the other treatments. I found this interesting, but did not fully comprehend what was taking place. Later that year I was able to attend a meeting conducted by USDA’s NRCS. At that meeting they conducted a “slake test”. This test demonstrates the different characteristics of no-till soil as compared to tilled soil. These differences are created by the improved soil health of no-till soil due to increased microbial activity. You can see what I am talking about by watching Ray Archuleta preform a slake test at this site: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEOyC_tGH64&list=PL3070028DAAB02E3D While Mr. Archuleta is advocating no-till cropping systems in his video, my purpose is not to discuss tillage systems, but to point out that Rhyzo-Link can actually create some of the same soil health benefits that are observed in the slake test. I am including two pictures that show some very interesting soil differences: Figure 1 shows two corn plants at V4. These plants were grown in the field 30 inches from each other, both received the exact same treatment, except the plant on the left received an in furrow starter with Rhyzo-Link. The plant on the right did not have Rhyzo-Link in its starter. Notice the soil does not break apart when soaked with water. This indicates a change in soil aggregation caused by greater microbial life in the soil. Figure 2 shows corn plants dug at R3. Again, these plants are from the same treatments listed above and were dug from the same field, 30 inches apart. Notice the differences in the size of the root balls and the differences in the color of the soil. Obviously, the microbes are at work. The past 2 growing seasons, NACHURS has been sending beneficial plant growth promoting rhyzobacteria (PGPR) to the field to work for you. The benefits are indisputable: (1) greater plant growth; (2) nutrient and water use efficiency, and ultimately (3) soil health.

When scouting the first Rhyzo-Link trial I had ever worked with I noticed that the soil from the Rhyzo-Link treated plants simply wouldn’t wash off of the root system like the soil on the roots from all of the other treatments. I found this interesting, but did not fully comprehend what was taking place. Later that year I was able to attend a meeting conducted by USDA’s NRCS. At that meeting they conducted a “slake test”. This test demonstrates the different characteristics of no-till soil as compared to tilled soil. These differences are created by the improved soil health of no-till soil due to increased microbial activity. You can see what I am talking about by watching Ray Archuleta preform a slake test at this site: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEOyC_tGH64&list=PL3070028DAAB02E3D

While Mr. Archuleta is advocating no-till cropping systems in his video, my purpose is not to discuss tillage systems, but to point out that Rhyzo-Link can actually create some of the same soil health benefits that are observed in the slake test. I am including two pictures that show some very interesting soil differences:

Strategic and Profitable Plant Nutrition

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 08:28:00 GMT

In recent years, NACHURS has invested heavily in new product development and testing. Over the past several years NACHURS has led the industry with the launch of world class technologies such as Bio-K, Rhyzo-Link, Aqua-Tech, and YaraVita PROCOTE. We have created plant nutrition programs and protocols that are proven and work. Going on 71 years, NACHURS has led the industry in liquid nutrition innovation and technologies. In December, we launched Rhyzo-Link LF. This is the pure PGPR we blend into our Rhyzo-Link blends. Having Rhyzo-Link LF available allows this important technology to be applied with any fertility system or program. For example, Rhyzo-Link LF can now be added to any of our blends right in the field. Now that conservation, precision placement, soil and water stewardship has gained industry attention and traction, it’s even more impactful and significant how NACHURS has been the leading contributor of all this for decades. With that said, I would like to share some programs that have been very successful and profitable to producers of late. In furrow, seed applied starter on corn and other crops has been a common practice for years and continues to be incorporated into planting sequences and rotations. As we are busy in the shop and office preparing and planning nutrient management programs for corn, consider one or more of the following NACHURS nutrition programs: Corn in Furrow, 2x2 & Foliar Program Options 3 – 5 g/ac NACHURS 6-24-6 + 25 oz/ac NACHURS Rhyzo-Link LF + 1 – 2 pt/ac NACHURS 9% EDTA Zn. If you are a fan of our NACHURS imPulse, NACHURS 9-18-9 or NACHURS 3-18-18, Rhyzo-Link LF can be used with them as well. If your program is a 2x2 system, make your poly blend complete by including NACHURS K-fuel (0-0-24) or NACHURS K-flex (0-0-19-6S) in a 5:1 ratio. This will give your 2x2 application a complete NKP blend and not ignore the vital and much neglected potassium boost you corn starves for. If you use UAN sidedress and inject it into the soil, include NACHURS K-fuel or NACHURS K-flex at an 8:1 ratio in that mix as well. With your glyphosate application, serious consideration should be given to including 1 qt/ac of NACHURS Finish Line. This micro-blend has been a welcomed and proven addition to NACHURS product lineup. If you layby at V5 with a last shot of glyphosate, including 1 g/ac of NACHURS SRN and 1 qt/ac Finish Line will help launch the pending rapid growth stage to another level. If you apply a pre-tassel fungicide, adding 1 – 2 g/ac of NACHURS SRN is a common practice. Some customers use NACHURS K-fuel plus NACHURS Finish Line instead. Both give the flowering plant a shot of plant food as transitions from vegetative to reproductive growth stage.

Now that conservation, precision placement, soil and water stewardship has gained industry attention and traction, it’s even more impactful and significant how NACHURS has been the leading contributor of all this for decades. With that said, I would like to share some programs that have been very successful and profitable to producers of late.

In furrow, seed applied starter on corn and other crops has been a common practice for years and continues to be incorporated into planting sequences and rotations. As we are busy in the shop and office preparing and planning nutrient management programs for corn, consider one or more of the following NACHURS nutrition programs:

Corn in Furrow, 2x2 & Foliar Program Options

Early Available Phosphate & Critical Field Corn Growth Stages

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Mon, 23 Jan 2017 13:49:00 GMT

Early Available Phosphate Cold, wet soils release Phosphorus very slowly, even when soil tests indicate adequate amounts The concentration of the orthophosphate in solution is important for potential diffusion Placement of nutrients with the seed develops zones of higher orthophosphate concentration allowing greater uptake Plants can only absorb phosphate in its Ortho form Orthophosphate is immediately available for crop to use at germination Absorption of nutrient ions is greatest near the actively growing tip of each root. Corn seedlings have a high demand for phosphorus The concentration of phosphorus has to reach 0.5% in five-leaf corn, or the yield potential of that plant is reduced To meet this P requirement, small roots need a concentrated source of P close to the seed Critical Field Corn Growth Stages Growth Stage Days after Emergence Growth Event Importance V3 9-12 Seminal roots, ear shoots Seedling vigor seen, ears established V5 14-21 Ear shoots complete Number of kernel rows established V6 25-30 Nodal root system established. Rapid Growth Phase. Plants ability to take up nutrients is established V-14 50-60 Number of ovules determined Number of kernels per row determined R-1 63-70 Pollen shed begins. Brace roots established. Maximum root mass achieved. Kernel fertilization. Develop ear weight. Kernel fill.

Early Available Phosphate

Aqua-Tech Opportunities

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Tue, 10 Jan 2017 08:28:00 GMT

While reading the latest edition of Progressive Farmer I came across the story about growing corn in drought stricken areas with limited water for irrigation. I got to thinking about different scenarios I see in my travels. Some areas are strictly dryland areas with no opportunities for irrigating, but there are a lot of pockets of irrigation from Iowa and Minnesota to west Montana and Idaho. Water is definitely the main limiting factor for high yields. The story was saying that 200 bushel corn can be grown with just 10” of irrigation water. I thought to myself, “I bet they could improve on that if they fertigate on the right nutrients at the right times.” During my travels I see a lot of fertilizer tanks at pivot points indicating fertigation is taking place. I bet most are only applying Nitrogen with the water. That’s a start, but my experience of the last 20 years in the Ag industry, has shown that generally nitrogen is not the only limiting nutrient in most cases. Phosphorous, potassium and micronutrients are much more likely to be yield limiting. Most farmers stick to nitrogen because it is easy to apply. The other nutrients were tougher to work with due to hard water tie up or mixing problems in general. NACHURS fertilizer has introduced Aqua-Tech fertilizer in the last year. Aqua-Tech fertilizer was designed specifically for those areas where nutrient tie-up occurs due to hard water. When nutrient tie-up occurs a precipitate forms and nutrients are rendered unusable. The precipitate begins to plug the irrigation system especially in drip irrigation where emitters can be plugged. This creates a huge problem for producers, who then have to flush systems and try to clear lines. Now, NACHURS brings the opportunity to fertigate with confidence. Using highly soluble nutrients, Bio-K and 100% orthophosphate, farmers have a couple different options for applying the true yield limiting nutrients that handle as easy as the nitrogen they have been using. Farmers can time applications for specifically when certain nutrients are needed by the plants for optimal efficiency. I have looked at thousands of soil sample results over the last 20 years and know that fields have places where phosphorous levels are in single digit ppms. Potassium deficiency is becoming a bigger problem every year and if you are tissue sampling you are probably seeing micronutrient deficiencies. You can now apply phosphorous in season in a highly soluble, plant available form. Aqua-Tech is formulated with Bio-K, the best form of potassium available. You owe it to yourself to try Aqua-Tech fertilizer and make those irrigation passes pay off in yield.

During my travels I see a lot of fertilizer tanks at pivot points indicating fertigation is taking place. I bet most are only applying Nitrogen with the water. That’s a start, but my experience of the last 20 years in the Ag industry, has shown that generally nitrogen is not the only limiting nutrient in most cases. Phosphorous, potassium and micronutrients are much more likely to be yield limiting. Most farmers stick to nitrogen because it is easy to apply. The other nutrients were tougher to work with due to hard water tie up or mixing problems in general.

NACHURS fertilizer has introduced Aqua-Tech fertilizer in the last year. Aqua-Tech fertilizer was designed specifically for those areas where nutrient tie-up occurs due to hard water. When nutrient tie-up occurs a precipitate forms and nutrients are rendered unusable. The precipitate begins to plug the irrigation system especially in drip irrigation where emitters can be plugged. This creates a huge problem for producers, who then have to flush systems and try to clear lines. Now, NACHURS brings the opportunity to fertigate with confidence. Using highly soluble nutrients, Bio-K and 100% orthophosphate, farmers have a couple different options for applying the true yield limiting nutrients that handle as easy as the nitrogen they have been using. Farmers can time applications for specifically when certain nutrients are needed by the plants for optimal efficiency.

I have looked at thousands of soil sample results over the last 20 years and know that fields have places where phosphorous levels are in single digit ppms. Potassium deficiency is becoming a bigger problem every year and if you are tissue sampling you are probably seeing micronutrient deficiencies. You can now apply phosphorous in season in a highly soluble, plant available form. Aqua-Tech is formulated with Bio-K, the best form of potassium available. You owe it to yourself to try Aqua-Tech fertilizer and make those irrigation passes pay off in yield.

Build WHY into your crop production program for 2017

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Tue, 03 Jan 2017 11:26:00 GMT

With the holidays behind us now many are looking to the upcoming planting season. Seed has been or soon will be ordered, equipment is being made ready and we’re attending all kinds of meetings and reading all kinds of articles on the best products to use and the best practices to add into our farming operations. It’s this time of year I like to remind growers to focus on production but to approach it from a “risk management” frame of mind; what I mean is this. We are told that today, through advancements of genetics and science that each bag of corn seed has the potential of 600 bushels per acre and a bag of soybeans, 300 bushels per acre. Knowing this should make us realize that the minute we open that bag and dump it into the planter that potential is or could be escaping and it’s our job to figure out how and why and plan for it. High yield practitioners understand this and focus not so much on the traditional practices but on managing all the limiting factors. In function, it should force us all to take a long hard look at what might be keeping us from achieving a maximum yield potential. Over the years I have had the opportunity to work with a number of yield contest winners across the US and get to know them a bit and in the words of one such grower lie a message for all of us, “never stop asking why”. Those same WHY questions have lead NACHURS onto the development of a number of products focused on higher utility and greater efficiency, such as our high performance starter products lower in salt index and impurities and powered by the superior efficiency and flexibility of orthophosphate. NACHURS has also partnered two new technologies with our line of starters having options such as potassium acetate, the most soluble form of potassium with superior uptake capabilities and freedom of application as well as Rhizobacteria or Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGGR’s), linking the PowerBlend value of microbials to production. Why can be a powerful tool! Why can be the precursor to change. Take a look at your own production from the ending first! Look at your yield and if it wasn’t what you had hoped for start asking yourself why? How was my quality? If it wasn’t what I expected WHY? Did I lose bushels at ear or pod development and fill ….. WHY? Did I lose bushels during reproduction …..WHY? Did I experience poor plant vigor ….WHY? Did I lose bushels because of an inadequate plant stand …. WHY? If you answer yes to any of these questions then you must find the answer to the question why? The old saying of “the first measure of a defense is a good offense” has application in Agriculture and it will manage or limit the “yes” answers to the questions above. It all starts with a good evaluation of the previous cropping season and planning to manage any likely limitation for the next season. Next, you must follow your game plan the best that you can, remember details are critical and it’s often times the little things that hold you back. Lastly, you must be diligent in the field with compete evaluation through the season, first so you might be able react to anything that threatens your goal and secondly so that you might be able to add this challenge into next year’s game plan. A good crop production plan is one that considers all limitations and attempts to prevent them rather than a plan that intends to react to limitations after bushels are already lost. NACHURS Fertilizers have the products to add to your toolbox to help manage, limit or respond to those yes answers and the experience to add guidance along the way.

It’s this time of year I like to remind growers to focus on production but to approach it from a “risk management” frame of mind; what I mean is this.

We are told that today, through advancements of genetics and science that each bag of corn seed has the potential of 600 bushels per acre and a bag of soybeans, 300 bushels per acre. Knowing this should make us realize that the minute we open that bag and dump it into the planter that potential is or could be escaping and it’s our job to figure out how and why and plan for it.

High yield practitioners understand this and focus not so much on the traditional practices but on managing all the limiting factors. In function, it should force us all to take a long hard look at what might be keeping us from achieving a maximum yield potential.

Over the years I have had the opportunity to work with a number of yield contest winners across the US and get to know them a bit and in the words of one such grower lie a message for all of us, “never stop asking why”.

Those same WHY questions have lead NACHURS onto the development of a number of products focused on higher utility and greater efficiency, such as our high performance starter products lower in salt index and impurities and powered by the superior efficiency and flexibility of orthophosphate. NACHURS has also partnered two new technologies with our line of starters having options such as potassium acetate, the most soluble form of potassium with superior uptake capabilities and freedom of application as well as Rhizobacteria or Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGGR’s), linking the PowerBlend value of microbials to production. Why can be a powerful tool!

Why can be the precursor to change. Take a look at your own production from the ending first! Look at your yield and if it wasn’t what you had hoped for start asking yourself why?

How was my quality? If it wasn’t what I expected WHY? Did I lose bushels at ear or pod development and fill ….. WHY? Did I lose bushels during reproduction …..WHY? Did I experience poor plant vigor ….WHY? Did I lose bushels because of an inadequate plant stand …. WHY?

If you answer yes to any of these questions then you must find the answer to the question why?

The old saying of “the first measure of a defense is a good offense” has application in Agriculture and it will manage or limit the “yes” answers to the questions above.

It all starts with a good evaluation of the previous cropping season and planning to manage any likely limitation for the next season . Next, you must follow your game plan the best that you can, remember details are critical and it’s often times the little things that hold you back. Lastly, you must be diligent in the field with compete evaluation through the season, first so you might be able react to anything that threatens your goal and secondly so that you might be able to add this challenge into next year’s game plan.

A good crop production plan is one that considers all limitations and attempts to prevent them rather than a plan that intends to react to limitations after bushels are already lost. NACHURS Fertilizers have the products to add to your toolbox to help manage, limit or respond to those yes answers and the experience to add guidance along the way.

Potassium is a very unique nutrient

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Tue, 27 Dec 2016 08:36:00 GMT

Potassium is absorbed into growing crops at a rate that is greater than any other nutrient except for nitrogen. It behaves differently than other nutrients, both in the soil and in the plant. Most K uptake occurs during the vegetative stages of development. By the time the crop is flowering or set grain, most root uptake of K will cease. When the roots are no longer able to supply additional K, it must be moved out of the leaves and then used for fruit or grain production. At this time the amount of K in the leaves becomes extremely critical because adequate K is essential to ensure good seed fill, kernel weight and ultimately crop quality. Availability of potassium to the growing plant depends on many factors unique to each individual field: Quantity – soils with low K tests will certainly benefit from added K fertility. However, the amount of K in the soil alone tells very little. Amount of available K - Usually on 1-2% of the K in the soil is available. Other K is “exchangeable” or “nonexchangeable”. Cation Exchange Capacity – many labs report an increase in the “critical level” for soil K as soil CEC increases. Higher CEC soils have more sites for K and other nutrients to attach. Because of this, more is necessary to ensure an adequate supply remains as available K. Type of clay in the soil - Some soils have clay types that can fix large amounts of K from fertilizers or other sources. This may reduce the availability of K to the crop. Soil temperature, moisture, and tilth – Cold soil temperature, excessive moisture or drought, and soil compaction all create conditions which limit K uptake. The crop, the variety or hybrid, plant population, and yield – It is well understood that different crops have differing demands for K. However, different varieties of the same crop may utilize potassium more or less efficiently than other hybrids. Higher plant populations create greater demand for potassium; and finally ever-increasing yields create greater demands for potassium in the soil. Farmers tend to neglect potassium fertility needs, often leaving it out of fertility blends. False security can occur when soil samples indicate high levels in our fields. Without confirmation from tissue samples, it is impossible to be confident that the potassium is actually making it into the crop in adequate amounts. When planning for your crop needs this coming season, consider how well prepared your fields are to deliver this unique nutrient.

Potassium is absorbed into growing crops at a rate that is greater than any other nutrient except for nitrogen. It behaves differently than other nutrients, both in the soil and in the plant.

Most K uptake occurs during the vegetative stages of development. By the time the crop is flowering or set grain, most root uptake of K will cease. When the roots are no longer able to supply additional K, it must be moved out of the leaves and then used for fruit or grain production. At this time the amount of K in the leaves becomes extremely critical because adequate K is essential to ensure good seed fill, kernel weight and ultimately crop quality.

Availability of potassium to the growing plant depends on many factors unique to each individual field:

Farmers tend to neglect potassium fertility needs, often leaving it out of fertility blends. False security can occur when soil samples indicate high levels in our fields. Without confirmation from tissue samples, it is impossible to be confident that the potassium is actually making it into the crop in adequate amounts. When planning for your crop needs this coming season, consider how well prepared your fields are to deliver this unique nutrient.

High Yields, Low Grain Prices: Manage Phosphorus and Potassium Wisely

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Fri, 23 Dec 2016 09:25:00 GMT

ISU research says that a starter fertilizer should be a part of your crop production program regardless of fertility levels or yield goals. Growers should adjust broadcast or banded applications based on intended yield goal and economic situation. Article from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Integrated Crop Management: High Yields, Low Grain Prices: Manage Phosphorus and Potassium Wisely

Article from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Integrated Crop Management : High Yields, Low Grain Prices: Manage Phosphorus and Potassium Wisely

It's Time

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 08:27:00 GMT

Much attention is being given to nutrient management efficiencies and plant nutrient deficiencies these days…and rightfully so. The current low ebb in the commodity market has forced all of us to review, analyze, review again, debate, seek counsel, and struggle with deciding on which crop to plant in 2017 and an affordable and manageable nutrient program to go along with it. In the economic environment we find ourselves, why not consider doing something to address efficiencies and deficiencies all-the-while targeting our crops for maximum yield potential? It’s time to be more efficient. It’s time to be more strategic. It’s time to be attentive to the benefits of paying attention to the rhizosphere & root zone, along with listening to what the plant itself is telling us. Many years ago a wise plant science professor told our class: “Plants and the soil will never lie to us.” In the same context he also said soil and plant nutrient needs and requirements are vastly different and rarely parallel each other during the growing season. That is why it is wise to monitor both soil and plant tissue to get a total and honest look at what is going on with a specific crop. It’s time to invest wisely in our nutrient management program, along with our entire input budget. I am currently working with a NACHURS innovative farmer/customer who wants to do just that. We are going to mark several places in fields throughout his operation to monitor the soil nutrient levels and plant nutrient levels in the same place throughout the entire growing season. He intends to keep spikes and dips in irrigation requirements and nutrient levels as flat as possible from start to finish. With 8 – 10 locations monitored and tested weekly or bi-weekly, a pretty reliable data set should be generated giving him real-time information as to what his crop nutrient needs are, at least in those specific locations. Both of us think we know when demand for N, P, K, and micronutrients will peak, but do we really? Do we feed ourselves and our family once per year or once every six months? Of course not, why, then, do we do that to our growing crops year after year, especially in a financially critical year like the one coming up? We need to maximize our yield potential using as many tools that are available as economically and wise as it is to do so. The only way to be as nutrient efficient as possible is to use plant available liquid fertility when the plants are asking for it. Depending on our conclusions and results, this nutrient management monitoring and foliar feeding initiative may continue for three years to give us a solid database of nutrient requirements and removal. It will be interesting what we learn from this. We have no doubt that feeding small quantities of the correct plant food our crops are asking for will boost yields and maximum financial opportunities. Stay tuned for in season progress reports. Christmas is upon us. It is time to relax, be thankful, do a little hunting, be with family and friends, and to reflect on our blessings, the least of which is living and farming in this wonderful country of ours, the United States of America. On behalf of everyone at Nachurs Alpine Solutions we wish each of you a very Blessed and Merry Christmas with family and friends and a profitable and safe 2017!

It’s time to be more efficient. It’s time to be more strategic. It’s time to be attentive to the benefits of paying attention to the rhizosphere & root zone, along with listening to what the plant itself is telling us. Many years ago a wise plant science professor told our class: “Plants and the soil will never lie to us.” In the same context he also said soil and plant nutrient needs and requirements are vastly different and rarely parallel each other during the growing season. That is why it is wise to monitor both soil and plant tissue to get a total and honest look at what is going on with a specific crop.

It’s time to invest wisely in our nutrient management program, along with our entire input budget. I am currently working with a NACHURS innovative farmer/customer who wants to do just that. We are going to mark several places in fields throughout his operation to monitor the soil nutrient levels and plant nutrient levels in the same place throughout the entire growing season.

He intends to keep spikes and dips in irrigation requirements and nutrient levels as flat as possible from start to finish. With 8 – 10 locations monitored and tested weekly or bi-weekly, a pretty reliable data set should be generated giving him real-time information as to what his crop nutrient needs are, at least in those specific locations. Both of us think we know when demand for N, P, K, and micronutrients will peak, but do we really? Do we feed ourselves and our family once per year or once every six months? Of course not, why, then, do we do that to our growing crops year after year, especially in a financially critical year like the one coming up? We need to maximize our yield potential using as many tools that are available as economically and wise as it is to do so. The only way to be as nutrient efficient as possible is to use plant available liquid fertility when the plants are asking for it. Depending on our conclusions and results, this nutrient management monitoring and foliar feeding initiative may continue for three years to give us a solid database of nutrient requirements and removal. It will be interesting what we learn from this. We have no doubt that feeding small quantities of the correct plant food our crops are asking for will boost yields and maximum financial opportunities. Stay tuned for in season progress reports.

Christmas is upon us. It is time to relax, be thankful, do a little hunting, be with family and friends, and to reflect on our blessings, the least of which is living and farming in this wonderful country of ours, the United States of America.

On behalf of everyone at Nachurs Alpine Solutions we wish each of you a very Blessed and Merry Christmas with family and friends and a profitable and safe 2017!

Bacteria or Bust

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 10:54:00 GMT

So what is the big deal with bacteria? Bacteria is a natural part of crop production because we take advantage of the symbiotic relationship of existing bacteria in the soil and the crop we grow in the soil. Many millions of strains already reside in our soils, some good, some bad. The idea of of applying more bacteria to our crop is to identify the good the bacteria, produce it into a concentrated product and reapply it to our crop. In doing this you’ll take advantage of crop yield, crop health and crop growth that these bacteria promote. Different types of bacteria have different roles. Some focus on plant health by increasing the crops natural ability to defend itself in biotic and abiotic stresses. Other types of beneficial bacteria help increase nutrient availability in the soil. This allows for increase in available nutrients to the growing corp. With that being said we need to focus on getting the correct form of bacteria at the highest concentration that we can. However, buyer beware, there are a tremendous amount of products in the market that claim such benefits and only contain extremely small amounts of bacteria. These products offer very little, if any, bacteria for our crops. This is why we need to request labels, read them and know what you are purchasing. NACHURS Rhyzo-Link fertilizer encompasses the best of both worlds by offering new Bio-K fertilizer technology and the best source of PGPR’s (plant growth promoting rhyzobacteria) with the highest concentration on the market. NACHURS Rhyzo-Link has everything you need in a seed applied starter, with an 18-month shelf life and a high quality fertilizer solution. For questions reach out to your NACHURS representative.

With that being said we need to focus on getting the correct form of bacteria at the highest concentration that we can. However, buyer beware, there are a tremendous amount of products in the market that claim such benefits and only contain extremely small amounts of bacteria. These products offer very little, if any, bacteria for our crops. This is why we need to request labels, read them and know what you are purchasing.

NACHURS Rhyzo-Link fertilizer encompasses the best of both worlds by offering new Bio-K fertilizer technology and the best source of PGPR’s (plant growth promoting rhyzobacteria) with the highest concentration on the market. NACHURS Rhyzo-Link has everything you need in a seed applied starter, with an 18-month shelf life and a high quality fertilizer solution. For questions reach out to your NACHURS representative.

#SoilDay

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 12:01:00 GMT

Today is the 75th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, which thrust the United States squarely in the middle of World War II. This day, along with many others, is one that will never be forgotten for many generations to come. December 5th marked another day that we should not forget either; it was denoted as World Soil (#SoilDay) day. Soil is much more than something we walk on, dig up, or drive over. It supports all life on “Mother Earth” which we depend on each day for growth, support, and maintenance of all creations (both living and non-living). For the survival of all future generations, we must take care of this vital component and remember it is a living organism just like mammals, reptiles, microbes, etc. The below diagram describes how soil supports all activities on earth. If we take care of soil to strengthen structure, health, and diversity, it will in turn take care of us. Let’s all make this a priority in 2017.

Today is the 75 ^th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, which thrust the United States squarely in the middle of World War II. This day, along with many others, is one that will never be forgotten for many generations to come. December 5 ^th marked another day that we should not forget either; it was denoted as World Soil (#SoilDay) day.

Soil is much more than something we walk on, dig up, or drive over. It supports all life on “Mother Earth” which we depend on each day for growth, support, and maintenance of all creations (both living and non-living). For the survival of all future generations, we must take care of this vital component and remember it is a living organism just like mammals, reptiles, microbes, etc. The below diagram describes how soil supports all activities on earth.

If we take care of soil to strengthen structure, health, and diversity, it will in turn take care of us. Let’s all make this a priority in 2017.

When Tragedy Strikes

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Wed, 30 Nov 2016 13:49:00 GMT

I had planned to write about decision making for the next growing season and efficient use of your crop budget, but recent events keep clouding those thoughts out. I now feel compelled to talk about a recent conversation I had with a friend. I’m going to write about the family farm and what happens when tragedy strikes. I recently had a friend pass away after an on farm accident, and was really struck by a conversation I had with his son. While nothing is normal right now and he has the feeling of being completely overwhelmed, he said something that made a lot of sense. He said he was thankful that his Dad had taught him about the entire operation. Who to talk to, who to call, where things are and what to do in a thousand different scenarios that come up every day in a diverse farm operation. That’s not to say he knows everything, but his dad had given him a pretty solid grasp on the ins and outs. He was thankful for that knowledge, because sometimes tragedy strikes too fast. Sometimes you don’t get that time or sometimes the father may be reluctant to give up some control. I cannot stress how important it is to teach your family partners about the entire operation and teach the responsibility that comes with that knowledge. Sometimes it is easy to give your sons the same jobs they know how to do and you are comfortable having them do safely. Sometimes you don’t give them a certain job because it is dangerous. While this is true, at some point you need to teach them why it is dangerous and how to do that job safely. It is important, because just about every job on the farm is dangerous to some degree and when tragedy strikes, who will teach them. There is a song out there titled Teach Your Children Well. It is your responsibility. To my friend Bad Billy H (yes you had a nickname too!!) rest in peace. Know that because of your teaching, and leadership your family will survive and do well.

I recently had a friend pass away after an on farm accident, and was really struck by a conversation I had with his son. While nothing is normal right now and he has the feeling of being completely overwhelmed, he said something that made a lot of sense. He said he was thankful that his Dad had taught him about the entire operation. Who to talk to, who to call, where things are and what to do in a thousand different scenarios that come up every day in a diverse farm operation. That’s not to say he knows everything, but his dad had given him a pretty solid grasp on the ins and outs. He was thankful for that knowledge, because sometimes tragedy strikes too fast.

Sometimes you don’t get that time or sometimes the father may be reluctant to give up some control. I cannot stress how important it is to teach your family partners about the entire operation and teach the responsibility that comes with that knowledge. Sometimes it is easy to give your sons the same jobs they know how to do and you are comfortable having them do safely. Sometimes you don’t give them a certain job because it is dangerous. While this is true, at some point you need to teach them why it is dangerous and how to do that job safely. It is important, because just about every job on the farm is dangerous to some degree and when tragedy strikes, who will teach them. There is a song out there titled Teach Your Children Well. It is your responsibility.

To my friend Bad Billy H (yes you had a nickname too!!) rest in peace. Know that because of your teaching, and leadership your family will survive and do well.

The quest for maximizing crop production

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Tue, 22 Nov 2016 12:57:00 GMT

In the Specialty Crop world, plant health is more than simply a term used in casual production conversation but rather a reference to adding value. Today more than ever plant health is being linked to the quest for maximizing crop production and addressing the limiting factors. Recent advances in plant nutrient technology have led to greater influences in our production methods. The ability to deliver the right nutrient at an effective rate at the right time and at the right site on a crop has great ability to add health and strength to the crop, giving it greater ability to withstand biological and environmental stress. Early plant health is critical to establishing the foundation for vigorous crop development. The quicker a plant gets established the greater the ability to resist early developing diseases. NACHURS, with the development of our premium line of products provides many choices for starters and plant set treatments. Evidence of this was demonstrated this year by research work conducted by Clemson University on watermelon. Trials were conducted with products used in the setter water as well in foliar treatments. The results strongly support the use of our Triple Option at a 2% solution during the planting operations. This test exhibited an increase of 590 melons per acre or an approximate increase in revenue of $2,236 per acre. A good example of the power of early establishment and improved plant health. Another advantage of quick establishment that is often overlooked is the fact that once the crop begins to root the pampering period subsides and the need for overwatering has passed. Keeping the soil oversaturated to prevent drought stress on new plants can often promote soil borne diseases that attach seed or young plants. Reducing that period of saturation also decreases the period of risk and disease development. Plant health may begin at the time of planting but with the advance in products such as NACHURS’ Bio-K, disease and stress management can be applied throughout the season and this is where the grower’s toolbox gains a great tool. NACHURS Bio-K line of products employs the strength of Potassium Acetate, the emerging potassium champion in nutrient products. Potassium Acetate possesses far superior solubility and uptake which in turn generates far greater response in the plant and in the fruit. Compared to more commonly used forms of potassium, Potassium Acetate is 7 times more soluble than Potassium Chloride, 8 times more soluble than Potassium Nitrate and 23 times more soluble than Potassium Sulfate. Work cited from the Journal of Plant Nutrition demonstrates that within a 48 hour period, nearly 6 times more Potassium Acetate is taken into a plant than Potassium Chloride, Potassium Nitrate or Potassium Sulfate. This is important when you consider that when it comes to moisture management within the plant, stress mitigation from biological or environmental stress, the development of plant enzymes and overall fruit quality is dependent on plant resident potassium. Another proponent of plant health is our Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria or PGPR’s. PGPR’s applied to the soil in our Rhyzo-Link family of products unleashes billions of workers on our behalf. When PGPR’s are applied to crops they react within the soil and with the crop exudates to promote plant health, plant growth and plant defense mechanisms. These reactions result in a wide range of benefits from the mineralization and uptake of nutrient, the fixation and assimilation of nitrogen to crop defense against negative influences from biological and environmental sources. One experiment that I conducted a year ago employed the combined use of the PGPR’s and the strength of the Potassium Acetate. The trial was setup in two blocks, both treated with the same base nutrient and using the same test subjects; Potatoes, Tomatoes, Zucchini, Yellow Squash and Cucumbers. I wanted to test the ability to improve plant health to an extent that I could have influence on the occurrence of bacterial and fungal disease. So I irrigated each night at 9 pm to induce colonialization of disease agents. No pesticides were used but I did make one treatment of the PGPR’s at the time of planting applied through the setter water and 5 foliar treatments at critical times throughout the growing season. The results were quite surprising. I found strong infestation on the block where no PGPR’s and foliars were used, to the point that some of the crop barley survived to the completion of the trial due to a high degree of Powdery and Downey Mildew on the cucurbits and Bacterial Spot on the tomatoes. What was surprising was that on all of the crop subjects in the managed block, there was NO incidence of disease anywhere. No Powdery or Downy Mildew on any of the Cucurbits, NO Bacterial Spot or Speck on the Tomatoes and no Late Blight on the Potatoes. Now I quite certain that the clinical results were above average results compared to what we might find in field production and I am NOT suggesting that plant nutrition can replace the protective benefit of pesticides however I am confident that plant nutrition can and is a great tool towards Integrated Pest Management and plant health is the key! Once again, innovation and developing technologies bring value to the field and NACHURS is leading the way. Plant health, Bio-K and Rhyzo-Link PGPR’s go hand in hand where stress management and improved crop production are concerned. Brining added value to crop production, just another way NACHURS proves that we’re a partner and not just a manufacturer.

Recent advances in plant nutrient technology have led to greater influences in our production methods. The ability to deliver the right nutrient at an effective rate at the right time and at the right site on a crop has great ability to add health and strength to the crop, giving it greater ability to withstand biological and environmental stress.

Early plant health is critical to establishing the foundation for vigorous crop development. The quicker a plant gets established the greater the ability to resist early developing diseases. NACHURS, with the development of our premium line of products provides many choices for starters and plant set treatments.

Evidence of this was demonstrated this year by research work conducted by Clemson University on watermelon. Trials were conducted with products used in the setter water as well in foliar treatments.

The results strongly support the use of our Triple Option at a 2% solution during the planting operations. This test exhibited an increase of 590 melons per acre or an approximate increase in revenue of $2,236 per acre. A good example of the power of early establishment and improved plant health.

Another advantage of quick establishment that is often overlooked is the fact that once the crop begins to root the pampering period subsides and the need for overwatering has passed.

Keeping the soil oversaturated to prevent drought stress on new plants can often promote soil borne diseases that attach seed or young plants. Reducing that period of saturation also decreases the period of risk and disease development.

Plant health may begin at the time of planting but with the advance in products such as NACHURS’ Bio-K, disease and stress management can be applied throughout the season and this is where the grower’s toolbox gains a great tool.

NACHURS Bio-K line of products employs the strength of Potassium Acetate, the emerging potassium champion in nutrient products.

Potassium Acetate possesses far superior solubility and uptake which in turn generates far greater response in the plant and in the fruit. Compared to more commonly used forms of potassium, Potassium Acetate is 7 times more soluble than Potassium Chloride, 8 times more soluble than Potassium Nitrate and 23 times more soluble than Potassium Sulfate.

Work cited from the Journal of Plant Nutrition demonstrates that within a 48 hour period, nearly 6 times more Potassium Acetate is taken into a plant than Potassium Chloride, Potassium Nitrate or Potassium Sulfate.

Another proponent of plant health is our Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria or PGPR’s. PGPR’s applied to the soil in our Rhyzo-Link family of products unleashes billions of workers on our behalf.

When PGPR’s are applied to crops they react within the soil and with the crop exudates to promote plant health, plant growth and plant defense mechanisms. These reactions result in a wide range of benefits from the mineralization and uptake of nutrient, the fixation and assimilation of nitrogen to crop defense against negative influences from biological and environmental sources.

One experiment that I conducted a year ago employed the combined use of the PGPR’s and the strength of the Potassium Acetate. The trial was setup in two blocks, both treated with the same base nutrient and using the same test subjects; Potatoes, Tomatoes, Zucchini, Yellow Squash and Cucumbers.

I wanted to test the ability to improve plant health to an extent that I could have influence on the occurrence of bacterial and fungal disease. So I irrigated each night at 9 pm to induce colonialization of disease agents. No pesticides were used but I did make one treatment of the PGPR’s at the time of planting applied through the setter water and 5 foliar treatments at critical times throughout the growing season. The results were quite surprising.

I found strong infestation on the block where no PGPR’s and foliars were used, to the point that some of the crop barley survived to the completion of the trial due to a high degree of Powdery and Downey Mildew on the cucurbits and Bacterial Spot on the tomatoes.

What was surprising was that on all of the crop subjects in the managed block, there was NO incidence of disease anywhere. No Powdery or Downy Mildew on any of the Cucurbits, NO Bacterial Spot or Speck on the Tomatoes and no Late Blight on the Potatoes.

Now I quite certain that the clinical results were above average results compared to what we might find in field production and I am NOT suggesting that plant nutrition can replace the protective benefit of pesticides however I am confident that plant nutrition can and is a great tool towards Integrated Pest Management and plant health is the key! Once again, innovation and developing technologies bring value to the field and NACHURS is leading the way.

Fertility Decisions for the Upcoming Growing Season

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 10:09:00 GMT

One well known concept in crop fertility is Liebig's Law of the Minimum. It suggests that production is not limited by the total amount of fertility available, but instead, it is limited by the scarcest resource, or nutrient. With commodity prices trending low, farmers are circling the wagons and preparing to get through the coming year. In many cases fertility decisions are being delayed and the mindset of using just the minimum fertilizer is rampant. Does this concept make sense? If you would get the same yield as you would get from precision fertilization, then – yes, the concept would make sense, simply because the cost of production must be controlled. In reality – the answer is no! The task of feeding our crops so that they perform to the optimum economic production level is quite complicated. Simply ignoring required nutrient needs allows the scarcest nutrient law to sneak in and limit production. All crops need 17 nutrients to survive. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are obviously the largest contributors. However, micronutrients play important supporting roles, and quite often, it is a micronutrient that is limiting production potential. Micronutrients such as Zinc, Manganese, Copper, and Iron are often limited in soils because of pH. Others such as Boron may be limited because of leaching. Since wheat is the only traditional crop growing right now, I will use it as an example. A 100 bushel yield will remove about 0.5 lbs. of micronutrients and total uptake is less than 2 lbs. It is easy to see that a small amount of fertility could remove some prospective yield barriers. With such a small amount of fertility required, providing micronutrients to the growing crop doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. In fact, trials often yield 4-8% increases in yield with a simple foliar application of NACHURS Finish Line. Because of the varied chemistry and quality in the marketplace, choosing the correct source and application method for micronutrients is critical. Numerous research plots conducted over the past couple of years with NACHURS products can demonstrate the yield potential of various foliar, broadcast, and in-furrow applications. It is understood that crop inputs must be kept to a reasonable level this year. Remember to consider the most limiting nutrients in addition to the amount of NP and K being applied.

If you would get the same yield as you would get from precision fertilization, then – yes, the concept would make sense, simply because the cost of production must be controlled. In reality – the answer is no! The task of feeding our crops so that they perform to the optimum economic production level is quite complicated. Simply ignoring required nutrient needs allows the scarcest nutrient law to sneak in and limit production.

All crops need 17 nutrients to survive. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are obviously the largest contributors. However, micronutrients play important supporting roles, and quite often, it is a micronutrient that is limiting production potential. Micronutrients such as Zinc, Manganese, Copper, and Iron are often limited in soils because of pH. Others such as Boron may be limited because of leaching.

Since wheat is the only traditional crop growing right now, I will use it as an example. A 100 bushel yield will remove about 0.5 lbs. of micronutrients and total uptake is less than 2 lbs. It is easy to see that a small amount of fertility could remove some prospective yield barriers. With such a small amount of fertility required, providing micronutrients to the growing crop doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. In fact, trials often yield 4-8% increases in yield with a simple foliar application of NACHURS Finish Line.

Because of the varied chemistry and quality in the marketplace, choosing the correct source and application method for micronutrients is critical. Numerous research plots conducted over the past couple of years with NACHURS products can demonstrate the yield potential of various foliar, broadcast, and in-furrow applications. It is understood that crop inputs must be kept to a reasonable level this year. Remember to consider the most limiting nutrients in addition to the amount of NP and K being applied.

Courage, Sacrifice, Honor, Respect

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 12:13:00 GMT

Annually, in the 11th month, on the 11th day, at the 11th hour, millions of Americans pause for a moment to recognize and honor the selfless heroes who put their Country and its citizens ahead of themselves. There are two important days in this first full week of November 2016. Yes, there is an important election. One that all of us can’t wait to be over. Our country has taken a terrible detour and has lost its moral compass. It’s all about me, power, money and everyone else best get out of my way. The other day is to recognize and give honor to those who sacrificed everything to ensure this country only has to endure 4 years, 6 years, or 2 years of a big mistake, by protecting the constitution and us, the American people. My pause today is to honor those who truly deserve it, the men and women who risk it all for us to live in the safest, richest, most opportunistic, country the world has ever or will ever see. A couple of years ago I was able to spend a few hours in Washington DC for the first time in my life. The first place I went was to Arlington National Cemetery, which was a lifelong wish on my bucket list. As we walked the hollowed grounds, we ended up at the Tomb of the Unknown just as the changing of the guard was about to occur. Witnessing this most solemn and formal ceremony on a briskly cold, crisp December afternoon is something I will always cherish. The precision of each step, perfection of each move, the overwhelming silence broken only by the snap of their heels and slap of their weapons. The moment is hard to describe, if you have not had the chance to witness it for yourself. During the ceremony, in the distance, I heard a drum cadence. The sort of cadence that was solemn and mournful. I figured it was part of the changing of the guard but much to my surprise it was not. The timing could not have been more meticulous. As the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown were changing, a military honor guard passed directly in front of us, just behind the Tomb. The horse drawn caisson with the flag draped casket was led by a military band and honor guard, and the sad and respectful drone of the drums beating in exact tones. Family and friends walked behind in a sterile silence. We could hear the horse’s hoofs whose special horseshoes created a sound unlike anything I’d ever heard. Their march echoed throughout the barren trees and around the white headstones across the cemetery. Gasps were heard around us as we were privileged to be witnessing and hearing something very special. It was difficult not to break down into a full blown cry. Someone recently lost their life on the battle field and were given full military burial honors at Arlington National. We felt like we were walking with the family behind the flag draped casket and the caparisoned (rider less) horse. It was a sad occasion that someone’s family member, friend, dad, mother, or sibling was gone. At the same time it was the most proud-to-be-an-American moment for me in my lifetime. The changing of the guard finished about the time the procession passed. As the small yet respectful crowd dispersed from the Tomb, I could not help but wonder who it was being laid to rest just beyond the rise. A while later, as we quietly walked to the exit, we paused again as the 21 gun salute shattered the silence that engulfed us. That was followed by the chilling play of Taps. What an appropriate ending and show of respect to hear that single bugle echo taps among the heroes. As we remain fixated on the election and the pending ramifications from whoever is brought into office…don’t forget next Friday November 11 and its meaning. Pause for just a moment at 11:00 am and give thanks to where we live and to those who gave themselves as sacrifice for others to live in such a place as the United States of America. We truly are a blessed people.

Annually, in the 11 ^th month, on the 11 ^th day, at the 11 ^th hour, millions of Americans pause for a moment to recognize and honor the selfless heroes who put their Country and its citizens ahead of themselves.

There are two important days in this first full week of November 2016. Yes, there is an important election. One that all of us can’t wait to be over. Our country has taken a terrible detour and has lost its moral compass. It’s all about me, power, money and everyone else best get out of my way. The other day is to recognize and give honor to those who sacrificed everything to ensure this country only has to endure 4 years, 6 years, or 2 years of a big mistake, by protecting the constitution and us, the American people.

My pause today is to honor those who truly deserve it, the men and women who risk it all for us to live in the safest, richest, most opportunistic, country the world has ever or will ever see. A couple of years ago I was able to spend a few hours in Washington DC for the first time in my life. The first place I went was to Arlington National Cemetery, which was a lifelong wish on my bucket list. As we walked the hollowed grounds, we ended up at the Tomb of the Unknown just as the changing of the guard was about to occur.

Witnessing this most solemn and formal ceremony on a briskly cold, crisp December afternoon is something I will always cherish. The precision of each step, perfection of each move, the overwhelming silence broken only by the snap of their heels and slap of their weapons. The moment is hard to describe, if you have not had the chance to witness it for yourself.

During the ceremony, in the distance, I heard a drum cadence. The sort of cadence that was solemn and mournful. I figured it was part of the changing of the guard but much to my surprise it was not.

The timing could not have been more meticulous. As the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown were changing, a military honor guard passed directly in front of us, just behind the Tomb. The horse drawn caisson with the flag draped casket was led by a military band and honor guard, and the sad and respectful drone of the drums beating in exact tones. Family and friends walked behind in a sterile silence. We could hear the horse’s hoofs whose special horseshoes created a sound unlike anything I’d ever heard. Their march echoed throughout the barren trees and around the white headstones across the cemetery. Gasps were heard around us as we were privileged to be witnessing and hearing something very special. It was difficult not to break down into a full blown cry. Someone recently lost their life on the battle field and were given full military burial honors at Arlington National. We felt like we were walking with the family behind the flag draped casket and the caparisoned (rider less) horse.

It was a sad occasion that someone’s family member, friend, dad, mother, or sibling was gone. At the same time it was the most proud-to-be-an-American moment for me in my lifetime. The changing of the guard finished about the time the procession passed. As the small yet respectful crowd dispersed from the Tomb, I could not help but wonder who it was being laid to rest just beyond the rise. A while later, as we quietly walked to the exit, we paused again as the 21 gun salute shattered the silence that engulfed us. That was followed by the chilling play of Taps. What an appropriate ending and show of respect to hear that single bugle echo taps among the heroes.

As we remain fixated on the election and the pending ramifications from whoever is brought into office…don’t forget next Friday November 11 and its meaning. Pause for just a moment at 11:00 am and give thanks to where we live and to those who gave themselves as sacrifice for others to live in such a place as the United States of America. We truly are a blessed people.

The colors of yield

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Tue, 01 Nov 2016 11:17:00 GMT

YaraVita® Procote® offers a better way to impregnate micronutrients onto dry NPK fertilizers. Yara’s innovative range of liquid suspension fertilizer coatings, YaraVita® Procote® exclusively available from NACHURS®, ensures the even distribution of micronutrients on growing crops. Fertilizer blenders will find Procote easy to use due to its benefits of significantly reducing dust and losses. Procote ensures even micronutrient supply with each fertilizer granule and enhances micronutrient efficiency, crop yield and quality. YaraVita Procote features: Oil based suspension High concentration of the element Color coating Free flowing (no bridging) YaraVita Procote technology benefits: Uniform coverage Dust suppression Color identification Low application rates Versatility to met grower needs Flexibility with products and storage Agronomic efficiency Better yield potential Compatibility with other impregnation products Inventory management -Joe Pflum, Northeast US Sales Agronomist

YaraVita® Procote® offers a better way to impregnate micronutrients onto dry NPK fertilizers.

Yara’s innovative range of liquid suspension fertilizer coatings, YaraVita® Procote® exclusively available from NACHURS®, ensures the even distribution of micronutrients on growing crops. Fertilizer blenders will find Procote easy to use due to its benefits of significantly reducing dust and losses. Procote ensures even micronutrient supply with each fertilizer granule and enhances micronutrient efficiency, crop yield and quality.

YaraVita Procote features:

YaraVita Procote technology benefits:

Sustainability: what does it mean?

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Mon, 24 Oct 2016 14:40:00 GMT

There are many buzz words and/or terms that grab the attention of people today. These include (but not limited to) Trump, Clinton, ISIS, Kardashian, WikiLeaks, Chicago Cubs, Russia, etc. The one topic that continues to gain importance and would include everyone on the plant regardless of age, sex, race, or economic status is AGRICULTURAL SUSTAINABILITY. In simple easy to understand terms, sustainable agriculture is the product of food, fiber, or other plant/animal products using farming methods that protect the environment as well as human/public health. The ultimate goal of sustainable production is to produce healthy, abundant food without hindering the physical ability and/or environmental capability of future generations. In order to meet the food demand of a growing global population (estimated 9 billion by 2050), we must both maintain and develop environmental biodiversity which ultimately leads to healthy, productive, efficient, sustainable ecosystems. In studying the sustainability flow chart below, one thing that stands out is the interaction and central importance of crop, soil, and microbiology, and the role social, political, and economic factors play in the overall scheme. As farming in the US transitions from small, family farms to much larger corporate operations, it will become even more important to remember these interactions so as to avoid further governmental regulations and restraints. So how do we do this? The principles of the 4Rs must come into play on a global level, to insure the use of plant nutrients as well as chemicals at the right time, the right place, from the right source, and at the right rate. Expanding this even further, we know there are substantial differences in nutrient solubility (which impacts soil chemistry) and availability, and thus will affect the overall nutrient use efficiency. For example, we know that potassium acetate is much more soluble and has greater potential for plant uptake than other traditional potassium sources (i.e. chlorides, sulfates, nitrates, thiosulfates, sulfites, etc.). Only 2% of the soil contained potassium is available for plant uptake, as it has not undergone the mineralization process yet. The plants ability to access available potassium has a huge impact on realizing maximum genetic potential through improved ionic balance, water/nutrient movement, disease tolerance, and cell structure/integrity. The same holds true to nitrogen and phosphate choices as well, but to a lesser extent. If we do our part now, we help guarantee stability for future generations.

In simple easy to understand terms, sustainable agriculture is the product of food, fiber, or other plant/animal products using farming methods that protect the environment as well as human/public health. The ultimate goal of sustainable production is to produce healthy, abundant food without hindering the physical ability and/or environmental capability of future generations. In order to meet the food demand of a growing global population (estimated 9 billion by 2050), we must both maintain and develop environmental biodiversity which ultimately leads to healthy, productive, efficient, sustainable ecosystems.

So how do we do this? The principles of the 4Rs must come into play on a global level, to insure the use of plant nutrients as well as chemicals at the right time, the right place, from the right source, and at the right rate. Expanding this even further, we know there are substantial differences in nutrient solubility (which impacts soil chemistry) and availability, and thus will affect the overall nutrient use efficiency. For example, we know that potassium acetate is much more soluble and has greater potential for plant uptake than other traditional potassium sources (i.e. chlorides, sulfates, nitrates, thiosulfates, sulfites, etc.). Only 2% of the soil contained potassium is available for plant uptake, as it has not undergone the mineralization process yet. The plants ability to access available potassium has a huge impact on realizing maximum genetic potential through improved ionic balance, water/nutrient movement, disease tolerance, and cell structure/integrity. The same holds true to nitrogen and phosphate choices as well, but to a lesser extent.

If we do our part now, we help guarantee stability for future generations.

Harvest

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 11:37:00 GMT

Harvest is rolling along here in central Nebraska and producers are seeing mixed yields. Some are good and some are not so good. Seems the summer stresses from Mother Nature have affected corn yields yet again. (http://cropwatch.unl.edu/2016/corn-ear-formation-issues-likely-correlated-loss-primary-ear-node) There is very little we can do about Mother Nature, but we can set ourselves up for maximum yields should she decide to cooperate. It starts now, with having a plan. Now is the time to get soil samples so you can layer these with yield maps and see how you are doing with fertility. Do your homework; you owe it to yourself to use the most efficient forms of nutrients. Read about Bio-K and Rhyzo-Link products. These products can help fight biotic and abiotic stresses. Compare NACHURS to the competition. Most of all ask questions. You can contact us at nachurs.com. We can tell you about our product line and help you design the most efficient fertility plan for your operation. We can put you in contact with NACHURS dealers in your area. Have a safe harvest and we look forward to talking to you soon.

It starts now, with having a plan. Now is the time to get soil samples so you can layer these with yield maps and see how you are doing with fertility. Do your homework; you owe it to yourself to use the most efficient forms of nutrients. Read about Bio-K and Rhyzo-Link products. These products can help fight biotic and abiotic stresses. Compare NACHURS to the competition. Most of all ask questions. You can contact us at nachurs.com. We can tell you about our product line and help you design the most efficient fertility plan for your operation. We can put you in contact with NACHURS dealers in your area.

Have a safe harvest and we look forward to talking to you soon.

It's like looking for a needle in a hay stack!

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Tue, 11 Oct 2016 15:38:00 GMT

My travels across the US brings me in contact with all types of growers; Row Crop and Specialty Crop growers both large and well let’s just say not so large. One thing that seems consistent however is that you’re mighty good at what you do. Still, with that being the case, many are on a continual search for something better. Solutions toward a better yield, maybe better quality or a production hurdle that they can’t seem to get pass. Return on investment leads the desire more now than in my previous 35 years in this industry. I find that for most the limitation is not with the big things that you focus much of your time on like your equipment or seed choices. It’s generally not with your choice of pesticides, your choice of tillage nor your choice of nitrogen source but more often than not it ends up being a small detail that becomes the Achilles heel in your production system. In the early 1900’s Justus Von Liebig made popular earlier work, accomplished by German Agronomist Carl Sprengel, describing it best with his analogy of a staved Barrel and his explanation of the Greatest Limiting Factor. Von Liebig describes the contributions to production being likened to the staves of a barrel. Each stave length representing the degree of completeness for supplying each required contribution like Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium or other nutrients and I like to expand that concept to include such things as Growing Degree Days, Moisture or Planting Dates. Von Liebig suggests that whichever production component supplies the crop requirement the least or in his analogy, the shorter stave, becomes your greatest limiting factor. For instance, you can spend all kinds of money on every other component of production but if you don’t sample for micros let’s say and your soil lacks the necessary one pound of Boron or 6 pounds of Zinc then your production may be limited by those minor deficiencies. Something that I point out to my customers is that the Greatest Limiting Factor actually is your Maximum Level of Production. Hundreds of Thousands or perhaps Millions of Dollars stand at risk by not managing the limiting factors. IF today a bag of Seed corn has the genetic potential to produce 600 bushels per acre then we should become Risk Managers seeking out the Limiting Factor. If we don’t we, once we open the bag we automatically lose yield by default. Micros are often the forgotten component. It seems that when money gets tight micros are the first thing to be overlooked or left out of your nutrient program. I see hundreds of soil samples a year come across my desk that don’t even report microelements. You must remember that many, if not most, metabolic functions are impacted by micro elements. I liken it to the analogy that you can’t pull an implement through the field without a hitch pin any more than maximizing production without micros. If the truth be known, you can economize inputs more safely by decreasing your nitrogen input rather than your microelements! Another limitation that many overlook is pH or Parts Hydrogen in the soil. The pH value on the lab report is more than an indication of how much lime you might need but it is also a reflection on how available the resident soil nutrients will be. Part Hydrogen can alter the solubility of many nutrients affecting their State of Oxidation, making nutrient more or less soluble (available). The pH of the soil can also liberate antagonists in the same instance. Let me give you some examples of both. Iron is most soluble in the lower pH ranges and has an identity of a molecule possessing 2+ charges, the plant preferred uptake form of Iron. Increasing the soil pH above 6.5 and higher alters the state of oxidation, favoring both chemical and microbial oxidation which promotes a molecular change to a 3+ and 4+ molecule rendering it less soluble yet favorable to the formation of insoluble complexes such as Iron Phosphate. When this happens neither the iron nor phosphorus is available to the crop. Another example would be Zinc. Zinc is most available at a pH of 5.0 yet on more acid soils Zinc is absorbed by compounds of Iron and Aluminum where as in alkaline soils Zinc can be absorbed on the clay complex of some soils. Yet another example would be the solubility of Aluminum. In highly weathered soils, quite often Aluminum resides in higher levels. When pH gets below 5.0 it becomes very soluble and due to the 3+ charge of the molecule, it becomes a favored complexing partner to Phosphorus, forming an insoluble Aluminum Phosphate compound, again converting available phosphorus to unavailable phosphorus. You can see how pH has a much bigger impact on solubility and availability than one might think. I’m including chart that provides an example of nutrient availability at different pH ranges. This can be a helpful tool when looking at your soil test reports. Something else you might wish to consult is Mulder’s Chart of Nutrient Interactions, you can find it on the web quite easily. My last comment is on the interrelationship of nutrients. When you consider a single nutrient, you must remember that EVERY SINGULAR nutrient depends on other supporting nutrients to help meet its full potential. I have spent a lot of time researching this subject and to spare you the time yourself here is a list of the more common nutrients and their support crew. NitrogenManganese, Sulfur, Molybdenum, Iron, Carbon, Oxygen, Hydrogen, Phosphorus and Copper PhosphorusMagnesium, Calcium, Copper, Iron, Zinc, Boron, Molybdenum, Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen and Manganese PotassiumMagnesium, Manganese, Iron, Calcium and Sodium CalciumPhosphorus, Boron, Ammonium N, Potassium, Magnesium and Cobalt MagnesiumIron, Sulfur, Manganese and Copper SulfurPotassium, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen ZincPhosphorus, Molybdenum and Boron ManganeseMolybdenum, Calcium, Iron, Copper and Magnesium IronPhosphorus, Potassium, Copper, Manganese, Molybdenum and Magnesium CopperNitrogen, Iron, Phosphorus and Molybdenum BoronPhosphorus, Calcium and Molybdenum MolybdenumNitrogen, Phosphorus, Zinc, Manganese, Copper and Cobalt If for no more reason than those just outlined you must consider every component of production, even the smallest of details. The next time you look over a soil test report, start with the small details first then work your way to the major items, you might be surprised what needles you find in the haystack!- Jay Castleman, Specialty Crop Market Manager

Solutions toward a better yield, maybe better quality or a production hurdle that they can’t seem to get pass. Return on investment leads the desire more now than in my previous 35 years in this industry. I find that for most the limitation is not with the big things that you focus much of your time on like your equipment or seed choices. It’s generally not with your choice of pesticides, your choice of tillage nor your choice of nitrogen source but more often than not it ends up being a small detail that becomes the Achilles heel in your production system.

In the early 1900’s Justus Von Liebig made popular earlier work, accomplished by German Agronomist Carl Sprengel, describing it best with his analogy of a staved Barrel and his explanation of the Greatest Limiting Factor. Von Liebig describes the contributions to production being likened to the staves of a barrel. Each stave length representing the degree of completeness for supplying each required contribution like Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium or other nutrients and I like to expand that concept to include such things as Growing Degree Days, Moisture or Planting Dates.

Von Liebig suggests that whichever production component supplies the crop requirement the least or in his analogy, the shorter stave, becomes your greatest limiting factor. For instance, you can spend all kinds of money on every other component of production but if you don’t sample for micros let’s say and your soil lacks the necessary one pound of Boron or 6 pounds of Zinc then your production may be limited by those minor deficiencies. Something that I point out to my customers is that the Greatest Limiting Factor actually is your Maximum Level of Production . Hundreds of Thousands or perhaps Millions of Dollars stand at risk by not managing the limiting factors.

IF today a bag of Seed corn has the genetic potential to produce 600 bushels per acre then we should become Risk Managers seeking out the Limiting Factor. If we don’t we, once we open the bag we automatically lose yield by default.

Micros are often the forgotten component. It seems that when money gets tight micros are the first thing to be overlooked or left out of your nutrient program. I see hundreds of soil samples a year come across my desk that don’t even report microelements. You must remember that many, if not most, metabolic functions are impacted by micro elements. I liken it to the analogy that you can’t pull an implement through the field without a hitch pin any more than maximizing production without micros. If the truth be known, you can economize inputs more safely by decreasing your nitrogen input rather than your microelements!

Another limitation that many overlook is pH or Parts Hydrogen in the soil. The pH value on the lab report is more than an indication of how much lime you might need but it is also a reflection on how available the resident soil nutrients will be. Part Hydrogen can alter the solubility of many nutrients affecting their State of Oxidation, making nutrient more or less soluble (available). The pH of the soil can also liberate antagonists in the same instance. Let me give you some examples of both.

Iron is most soluble in the lower pH ranges and has an identity of a molecule possessing 2+ charges, the plant preferred uptake form of Iron. Increasing the soil pH above 6.5 and higher alters the state of oxidation, favoring both chemical and microbial oxidation which promotes a molecular change to a 3+ and 4+ molecule rendering it less soluble yet favorable to the formation of insoluble complexes such as Iron Phosphate. When this happens neither the iron nor phosphorus is available to the crop.

Another example would be Zinc. Zinc is most available at a pH of 5.0 yet on more acid soils Zinc is absorbed by compounds of Iron and Aluminum where as in alkaline soils Zinc can be absorbed on the clay complex of some soils.

Yet another example would be the solubility of Aluminum. In highly weathered soils, quite often Aluminum resides in higher levels. When pH gets below 5.0 it becomes very soluble and due to the 3+ charge of the molecule, it becomes a favored complexing partner to Phosphorus, forming an insoluble Aluminum Phosphate compound, again converting available phosphorus to unavailable phosphorus.

You can see how pH has a much bigger impact on solubility and availability than one might think. I’m including chart that provides an example of nutrient availability at different pH ranges. This can be a helpful tool when looking at your soil test reports. Something else you might wish to consult is Mulder’s Chart of Nutrient Interactions , you can find it on the web quite easily.

My last comment is on the interrelationship of nutrients. When you consider a single nutrient, you must remember that EVERY SINGULAR nutrient depends on other supporting nutrients to help meet its full potential. I have spent a lot of time researching this subject and to spare you the time yourself here is a list of the more common nutrients and their support crew.

Nitrogen
Manganese, Sulfur, Molybdenum, Iron, Carbon, Oxygen, Hydrogen, Phosphorus and Copper

Phosphorus
Magnesium, Calcium, Copper, Iron, Zinc, Boron, Molybdenum, Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen and Manganese

Potassium
Magnesium, Manganese, Iron, Calcium and Sodium

Calcium
Phosphorus, Boron, Ammonium N, Potassium, Magnesium and Cobalt

Magnesium
Iron, Sulfur, Manganese and Copper

Sulfur
Potassium, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen

Zinc
Phosphorus, Molybdenum and Boron

Manganese
Molybdenum, Calcium, Iron, Copper and Magnesium

Iron
Phosphorus, Potassium, Copper, Manganese, Molybdenum and Magnesium

Copper
Nitrogen, Iron, Phosphorus and Molybdenum

Boron
Phosphorus, Calcium and Molybdenum

Molybdenum
Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Zinc, Manganese, Copper and Cobalt

If for no more reason than those just outlined you must consider every component of production, even the smallest of details.

Phosphorus Application: Timing is Everything (Almost)

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Mon, 03 Oct 2016 08:59:00 GMT

Wait! How can this be? Phosphorus is immobile. We may lose a little phosphorus with our topsoil when we have extreme rain events but we won’t lose the applied phosphorus to volatilization and we won’t lose it to leaching. If we are concerned about phosphorus availability can’t we just apply it in a band to prevent binding with cations in the soil and move on to more important things? Traditionally, that is exactly what we have done: Apply phosphorus prior to the crop season and move on – but there may be a better way! Let’s look at the way a crop uses phosphorus. An article in Better Crops (2013) by Bender et, al. is very clear that a corn plant takes up phosphorus at a steady rate all the way until R6. In fact they found that a corn plant takes up more than 75% of the phosphorus it uses after V10 (Figure 1). If you are honest, you will have to admit the difference between when the crop is taking in phosphorus and when we are applying phosphorus simply don’t add up! Now let’s look at the likely-hood that traditionally applied phosphorus fertilizer is going to be utilized by the growing crop. Research has shown that soil type and soil pH play a huge role in recovering phosphorus from fertilizer applications (Figure 2). In soils with high clay content and high pH farmers may only be recovering 25% of the phosphorus fertilizer applied, meanwhile in very low pH soils aluminum may be binding even greater amounts of phosphorus! The good news is that evidence is beginning to support splitting phosphorus applications to gain greater efficiencies. A recent NACHURS fertilizer study with Kansas State University yielded 32 more bushels (278 vs. 246) of corn by reducing preseason phosphorus application by 12 lbs of P205 and then applying the “saved” 12 lbs in season. Likewise a recent Encirca field experiment in Texas yielded 24.5 bushels more corn by applying phosphorus with “Y drops” at V14 compared to nitrogen only applied at this time (112.7 bu vs 88.2). These results really should not come as a surprise. We have long seen the benefits from foliar applications of phosphorus. These foliar applications are simply another way of moving phosphorus into crops in a more efficient manner. We are witnessing a great number of advances in crop production fertility systems. Old thought processes would have farmers believe that since phosphorus is relatively immobile it may be applied at any time during the year. However, new discoveries may change that perception. New chemistries and new practices will help reduce environmental impact and improve production and profitability. Figure 1: Total maize P uptake and partitioning across four plant stover fractions and grain tissues.Figure 2: Fixen, P.E., and A.D. Halvorson. 1992. Land tenure effects on phosphorus management. - Wayne Becker, US South Regional Sales Manager

Let’s look at the way a crop uses phosphorus. An article in Better Crops (2013) by Bender et, al. is very clear that a corn plant takes up phosphorus at a steady rate all the way until R6. In fact they found that a corn plant takes up more than 75% of the phosphorus it uses after V10 (Figure 1). If you are honest, you will have to admit the difference between when the crop is taking in phosphorus and when we are applying phosphorus simply don’t add up!

Now let’s look at the likely-hood that traditionally applied phosphorus fertilizer is going to be utilized by the growing crop. Research has shown that soil type and soil pH play a huge role in recovering phosphorus from fertilizer applications (Figure 2). In soils with high clay content and high pH farmers may only be recovering 25% of the phosphorus fertilizer applied, meanwhile in very low pH soils aluminum may be binding even greater amounts of phosphorus!

The good news is that evidence is beginning to support splitting phosphorus applications to gain greater efficiencies. A recent NACHURS fertilizer study with Kansas State University yielded 32 more bushels (278 vs. 246) of corn by reducing preseason phosphorus application by 12 lbs of P205 and then applying the “saved” 12 lbs in season. Likewise a recent Encirca field experiment in Texas yielded 24.5 bushels more corn by applying phosphorus with “Y drops” at V14 compared to nitrogen only applied at this time (112.7 bu vs 88.2). These results really should not come as a surprise. We have long seen the benefits from foliar applications of phosphorus. These foliar applications are simply another way of moving phosphorus into crops in a more efficient manner.

Stay Tuned for Very Important Messages

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Mon, 26 Sep 2016 09:54:00 GMT

Harvest is well underway across the country. The same goes for the second year of the record amount of research trials NACHURS has invested in. Preliminary trial data that has come in thus far is very promising and once again another profitable return on investment. NACHURS invested heavily again in third party independent trials across the country. Crops being evaluated with a multitude of NACHURS combinations include corn, soybean, wheat, potato, tomato, watermelon, onion, cotton, sugar beet, alfalfa, dry bean, pecan, strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, grain sorghum, and corn silage. Bio-K has absolutely proved once again its power and effectiveness in plants. If, after 4 years, you have not sought out this extreme K source, you are leaving yield and DOLLARS on the table. NACHURS Bio-K is the real deal folks. We can help you maximize your current fertility program whether be it through drip or pivot irrigation, in-furrow, foliar, strip till, or 2x2. We want as many producers as possible, from all across the country, to adopt this important Bio-K source into all fertility plans and experience the gains and differences yourself. As we get the data collected from all across the fruited plain, we will be eager to share it. Therefore, Stay Tuned for Very Important Messages from NACHURS in the coming weeks. NACHURS is changing the way potassium is approached on the farm and the proof is in the data. Be well, be profitable, and stay tuned!-Keith Flaniken, Southern US Sales Agronomist

The expectations on efficiencies

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Wed, 21 Sep 2016 08:48:00 GMT

I’m sure we are all very familiar with the term efficient. By definition efficient is “Preventing the wasteful use of a particular resources”. In our case this particular resource would be plant nutrients. NACHURS has been behind the 4R initiative before the ideas of nutrient stewardship were even conceived. NACHURS continues to develop new efficient technologies through modern science that not only promote the the 4R initiative but also offer a profitable means of supplying plant nutrients for the grower. We place efficiency scores in the form of ratios on NPK, PGR, PGPR, and Micros. These efficiency scores are not exact and can vary from year to year depending upon many environmental variables. The efficiency scores we use are based upon a comparison against standard practices of plant nutrient type, placement, application method, growth stimulator, and health stimulator. Less inputs are required by improving the nutrient source and making it more plant available, placing nutrients on the foliage, banding the nutrients where the plant can gain access and evenly coating micronutrients onto every dry fertilizer prill. This concept is based on attaining the same or better crop response when we used our products more efficiently and had less waste. In order to be profitable as a grower we need to make sure we are using the most efficient methods and crop inputs. It is becoming ever so difficult to pencil in a profit when we sit down and plan our budgets for the following year; this is why we need to make sure we are not wasting any of our inputs. NACHURS offers products and technologies that, when used in the proper method, will offer the highest return on investment.-Joe Pflum, Northeast US Sales Agronomist

We place efficiency scores in the form of ratios on NPK, PGR, PGPR, and Micros. These efficiency scores are not exact and can vary from year to year depending upon many environmental variables. The efficiency scores we use are based upon a comparison against standard practices of plant nutrient type, placement, application method, growth stimulator, and health stimulator. Less inputs are required by improving the nutrient source and making it more plant available, placing nutrients on the foliage, banding the nutrients where the plant can gain access and evenly coating micronutrients onto every dry fertilizer prill. This concept is based on attaining the same or better crop response when we used our products more efficiently and had less waste.

Micronutrients 2016: Market Updates From Key Suppliers

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 15:48:00 GMT

This is the year that people should be going back to using micronutrients. After all, to open the door, you have to have the key. As a critical factor in regulating enzyme and hormone balance within a plant, micronutrients are that lock and key mechanism. “They’ve laid off (micronutrients) two years now … People are going to continue to try to push yield up,” says Tommy Roach, Director, Product Development & Specialty Products with Nachurs. “They’re going to have to use micronutrients, and other small additives to get to the next yield goal, whatever the goal is. They are not going to be able to get to it by using traditional NPK fertility. “You may lose five to 10 bushels off the end by not using a simple port of zinc up front at planting (corn),” he adds. Continue reading this full CropLife article by Jackie Pucci: CLICK HERE

This is the year that people should be going back to using micronutrients.

After all, to open the door, you have to have the key. As a critical factor in regulating enzyme and hormone balance within a plant, micronutrients are that lock and key mechanism.

“They’ve laid off (micronutrients) two years now … People are going to continue to try to push yield up,” says Tommy Roach, Director, Product Development & Specialty Products with Nachurs. “They’re going to have to use micronutrients, and other small additives to get to the next yield goal, whatever the goal is. They are not going to be able to get to it by using traditional NPK fertility.

“You may lose five to 10 bushels off the end by not using a simple port of zinc up front at planting (corn),” he adds.

Making on farm progress

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 10:31:00 GMT

The Farm Progress Show took place in Boone, IA last week. I was not able to attend this year but looking at numerous pictures posted on social media sites and various news articles I began to think about what Farm Progress actually means. In some cases progress means bigger equipment, faster grain handling systems, and smarter data management systems. At NACHURS, progress means efficiency with new and innovative products. When was the last time a fertilizer company introduced four new products in one year? NACHURS fertilizer did this last growing season. These new products improve efficiency across the farm as well as boost yields. Improvements in efficiency from the way fertilizer is applied to the soil and plants, to the way plants actually utilize applied nutrients. If you as a farmer are spreading dry fertilizer, you need to know about YaraVita Procote micronutrients. If you are using fertigation, you need to know about Aqua-Tech fertilizer products. If you are using starter fertilizer, strip tilling, sidedressing or foliar feeding you need to know about NACHURS Bio-K products. If you are using biologicals and progressing toward soil health then you need to know about NACHURS Rhyzo-Link products. I think I’ve covered most all of you reading this. If you are farming today, you need to know about new, more efficient ways of feeding your crops to maximize yield while maximizing efficiency on the farm. Your NACHURS Agronomy team would be happy to talk with you to help you understand true progress on the farm. ALWAYS THE INNOVATOR, NEVER THE IMITATOR®-Joe Osterhaus, Northern US Sales Agronomist

When was the last time a fertilizer company introduced four new products in one year? NACHURS fertilizer did this last growing season. These new products improve efficiency across the farm as well as boost yields. Improvements in efficiency from the way fertilizer is applied to the soil and plants, to the way plants actually utilize applied nutrients.

If you as a farmer are spreading dry fertilizer, you need to know about YaraVita Procote micronutrients. If you are using fertigation, you need to know about Aqua-Tech fertilizer products. If you are using starter fertilizer, strip tilling, sidedressing or foliar feeding you need to know about NACHURS Bio-K products. If you are using biologicals and progressing toward soil health then you need to know about NACHURS Rhyzo-Link products.

I think I’ve covered most all of you reading this. If you are farming today, you need to know about new, more efficient ways of feeding your crops to maximize yield while maximizing efficiency on the farm. Your NACHURS Agronomy team would be happy to talk with you to help you understand true progress on the farm.

ALWAYS THE INNOVATOR, NEVER THE IMITATOR®

-Joe Osterhaus, Northern US Sales Agronomist

What a difference 70 years makes!

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 10:09:00 GMT

NACHURS fertilizers has been a part of crop production providing quality liquid fertilizer products since 1946. I think of 70 years and I think of what an accomplishment that truly is and I think of how many other companies have come and gone since. I am also reminded of how production Agriculture has changed both in method and in products used. NACHURS’ early years in production originated with the first generation of products like 9-18-9, 3-18-18 and 0-0-30 and later 21-0-0 and 10-10-10. Back then the introduction of liquid fertilizer products was life changing and pioneering for the industry. Innovation has continued through the years with improvements in raw material selection, with formulation and with manufacturing techniques to bring us into our current years. Science too has had an impact on our products with the introduction of our premium lines fortified by our Potassium Acetate products as well as our Rhyzo-Link line of products that include Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria. Now that’s progress …… from the basic lines of plant nutrients to the use of nutrient forms that are of the highest efficiency and partnered with Biological strains. Technology that links the synergisms between the product, the crop and the environment with a complete focus on nutrient efficiency and stewardship. Production Agriculture has never been more impacted by consumer demands than it is today. We are no longer simply asked to provide the volume of production but we are also tasked to increase our production with specific focuses like the desire to provide a healthier food source while using responsible methods of production. In some areas of production, consumer demand has put an additional focus on attributes such as flavor, aroma, color and storability. I have been a professional in this industry for almost half of those 70 years working all across this great nation on all kinds of crops and with all kinds of growers. One thing that has not changed is that I have always prided myself on carrying my toolbox filled with the best our industry has to offer. BIG demand requires a big toolbox full of tools built with purpose. Today my toolbox is filled with our NACHURS line of products and more now than ever I am able to help producers meet the growing demand of our consumer. Over the past 70 years we have been there when our customers were looking for a better way to produce crops and 70 years later we are still leading the industry in innovation. Always the innovator and never the imitator; I guess that there are a few things that time doesn’t change. - Jay Castleman, Specialty Crop Market Manager

NACHURS fertilizers has been a part of crop production providing quality liquid fertilizer products since 1946.

I think of 70 years and I think of what an accomplishment that truly is and I think of how many other companies have come and gone since. I am also reminded of how production Agriculture has changed both in method and in products used.

Now that’s progress …… from the basic lines of plant nutrients to the use of nutrient forms that are of the highest efficiency and partnered with Biological strains. Technology that links the synergisms between the product, the crop and the environment with a complete focus on nutrient efficiency and stewardship.

Production Agriculture has never been more impacted by consumer demands than it is today. We are no longer simply asked to provide the volume of production but we are also tasked to increase our production with specific focuses like the desire to provide a healthier food source while using responsible methods of production. In some areas of production, consumer demand has put an additional focus on attributes such as flavor, aroma, color and storability.

Crop Nutrition: Beyond Traditional Soil Fertility

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Mon, 22 Aug 2016 09:00:00 GMT

Understanding, analyzing and improving soil fertility is critical when striving to maximize yield. Yet, soil sampling, soil analysis, and soil fertilization only tell part of the story. Nutrients aren’t automatically moved from the soil and into the plant. Instead outside factors such as environment, soil pathogens, compaction, cation exchange capacity, pH, and even antagonistic minerals affect the availability of the nutrients in the soil. Often a comparison of a soil sample and a tissue sample will show that there may be abundant nutrients in the ground, but they may not be getting into the crop. Achieving higher yields through adequate crop nutrition often requires more than just a soil analysis. The use of both a soil analysis and a tissue or petiole analysis can help farmers to identify problems within a field. One obvious issue that could be observed would be adequate phosphorus levels in the soil, but deficient levels in the tissue analysis. When these situations are observed it is often caused by overabundance of a soil mineral, usually Ca or Al, but maybe even Fe, Mn, Cu, or Zn which will bind the phosphorus. This is just one example; any nutrient may be limited in the plant and not in the soil. The challenge is to find a way to improve the situation. Solving these problems will lead to greater yield and healthier crops. Today’s farmers have more tools in their toolbox to combat these issues than ever before. Methods of applying nutrients, such as foliar feeding or banding; improved nutrient chemistries, the use of organic acids, and microbial organisms make it possible to improve nutrient uptake. NACHURS liquid fertilizer has the people and the products to improve production and profit with greater crop nutrition.- Wayne Becker, US South Regional Sales Manager

Achieving higher yields through adequate crop nutrition often requires more than just a soil analysis. The use of both a soil analysis and a tissue or petiole analysis can help farmers to identify problems within a field. One obvious issue that could be observed would be adequate phosphorus levels in the soil, but deficient levels in the tissue analysis. When these situations are observed it is often caused by overabundance of a soil mineral, usually Ca or Al, but maybe even Fe, Mn, Cu, or Zn which will bind the phosphorus. This is just one example; any nutrient may be limited in the plant and not in the soil. The challenge is to find a way to improve the situation.

Healthy Yields begin with a Healthy Start

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Mon, 15 Aug 2016 11:39:00 GMT

2016 has been another year of mixed bags of circumstances. The environment has been extreme from persistent drought conditions and excessive moisture and everything in between. There are many areas, such as SC, that expect record corn yields. What has remained constant are the success stories coming from producers who have expressed being thankful that they have either been long time users of premium starter seed applied fertilizers or first time users. Regardless of what you hear or read about starter seed applied fertilizer, when the right product is applied at the right rate, at the right time, and put in the right place…NACHURS seed applied fertilizer works as advertised. If your planter is not set up for seed applied distribution of starter fertilizer, this fall/winter is the perfect time to do so. It is not terribly expensive and will easily pay for itself the first season. There are a host of options available depending on your planter, your preferences, and your budget but the most flexibility, accuracy, and distribution comes from hydraulic or electric pumps. There are, however, many producers still using the easy and dependable ground driven pump. Whichever route you choose, be sure to have enough pump to maintain at least 25# of pressure. Other distribution options include using a Keeton seed firmer, Schaffert Rebounder, or Totally Tubular (mainly for use in corn only) to distribute fertilizer into the seed furrow. If you are planning to use starter fertilizer on oil seed crops such as soybean or cotton, it is best to install a “Y” splitter on the seed firmer. A quality, high orthophosphate, starter fertilizer placed directly onto the seed at planting ensures the germinating seed will have access to vital and immediate availability to plant nutrients as the young seedling establishes its root system. In many cases, plants with access to a true high quality NPK seed applied fertilizer, as in the NACHURS brand of NPK starters, kept ahead of the rest of non-treated fields all season long. Just remember, NACHURS does not replace existing soil applied nutrients, it supports it by sending essential plant nutrients into the plant several days ahead of no seed applied starter programs. It is not uncommon in corn to see earlier tasseling and possibly an additional pair of kernel rows at harvest due to the proper use of NACHURS seed applied starter NPK fertilizer followed by a foliar application at V5 of a high quality SRN. Discuss your seed applied options with your local NACHURS retailer. They have access to equipment information, NACHURS sales and agronomic staff, and they know your farm and area better than anyone. Remember, a healthy, fast start right after planting offers your crop the greatest opportunity of maximizing production. -Keith Flaniken, Southern US Sales Agronomist

Regardless of what you hear or read about starter seed applied fertilizer, when the right product is applied at the right rate, at the right time, and put in the right place…NACHURS seed applied fertilizer works as advertised. If your planter is not set up for seed applied distribution of starter fertilizer, this fall/winter is the perfect time to do so. It is not terribly expensive and will easily pay for itself the first season.

There are a host of options available depending on your planter, your preferences, and your budget but the most flexibility, accuracy, and distribution comes from hydraulic or electric pumps. There are, however, many producers still using the easy and dependable ground driven pump. Whichever route you choose, be sure to have enough pump to maintain at least 25# of pressure. Other distribution options include using a Keeton seed firmer, Schaffert Rebounder, or Totally Tubular (mainly for use in corn only) to distribute fertilizer into the seed furrow. If you are planning to use starter fertilizer on oil seed crops such as soybean or cotton, it is best to install a “Y” splitter on the seed firmer.

A quality, high orthophosphate, starter fertilizer placed directly onto the seed at planting ensures the germinating seed will have access to vital and immediate availability to plant nutrients as the young seedling establishes its root system. In many cases, plants with access to a true high quality NPK seed applied fertilizer, as in the NACHURS brand of NPK starters, kept ahead of the rest of non-treated fields all season long. Just remember, NACHURS does not replace existing soil applied nutrients, it supports it by sending essential plant nutrients into the plant several days ahead of no seed applied starter programs.

It is not uncommon in corn to see earlier tasseling and possibly an additional pair of kernel rows at harvest due to the proper use of NACHURS seed applied starter NPK fertilizer followed by a foliar application at V5 of a high quality SRN. Discuss your seed applied options with your local NACHURS retailer. They have access to equipment information, NACHURS sales and agronomic staff, and they know your farm and area better than anyone.

YaraVita® PROCOTE® Roadshow

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 08:57:00 GMT

As part of launching a new fertilizer coating technology we are hitting the road and touring preselected regions of the US. We will be demonstrating the ease of use, while showing off the versatility of the YaraVita PROCOTE product. Along with showing off the YaraVita PROCOTE product, Micro Matic will be displaying their equipment that was developed specifically for handling YaraVita PROCOTE and adapting to nearly all dry fertilizer blending systems. With all of the equipment and product on board we will be able to to hook on to most any dry fertilizer blending system. Contact your NACHURS DSM to find out where we will be next! www.nachurs.com/procote -Joe Pflum, Northeast US Sales Agronomist

NACHURS Joins Field to Market

website@sitemodify.com (Website Editor) — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 08:00:00 GMT

July 26, 2016 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NACHURS® Joins Field to Market Pledges to Catalyze Opportunities for Continuous Improvement in Sustainability of Commodity Crop Production NACHURS announced today that it has joined Field to Market: The Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture, a leading multi-stakeholder initiative working to unite the agricultural supply chain in defining, measuring and advancing the sustainability of food, fiber and fuel production in the United States. “For over 70 years, NACHURS has been a leader in promoting sustainable agriculture with high quality products and precision placement.” said Murray Van Zeggelaar, Vice President – Marketing. “We are very excited to join Field to Market and help them demonstrate that growing high yielding crops in a sustainable manner is achievable to help feed a growing world population.” As an active member in Field to Market, NACHURS will work together with grower organizations, academia, conservation groups, public sector partners and leading companies to help to catalyze opportunities for continuous improvement in productivity, environmental quality and human well-being across the agricultural value chain. Field to Market engages in broad communication and collaboration with stakeholders to ensure a coordinated, outcomes-based approach to sustainable agriculture that is grounded in science. By providing useful measurement tools and resources, Field to Market helps growers and the supply chain track and promote continuous improvement at the field and landscape levels. “We are pleased to welcome NACHURS to our growing membership and look forward to collaborating on opportunities to help growers identify opportunities for continuous improvement and drive sustainable outcomes for commodity crop production,” said Rod Snyder, president of Field to Market. “NACHURS, which has a strong commitment to helping farmers further maximize fertilizer efficiency and nutrient stewardship, will be a valuable partner for the supply chain as we work to advance sustainability at the farm level.” Representing all facets of the U.S. agricultural supply chain, Field to Market provides an unparalleled platform that helps the food and agricultural supply chain benchmark sustainability performance, catalyze continuous improvement and enable supply chain sustainability claims. For more information, visit www.fieldtomarket.org. About NACHURS Nachurs Alpine Solutions®, a liquid chemicals manufacturing company, is a market leader in the manufacture and distribution of high quality liquid starter fertilizers, other fertility amendments, and a variety of industrial products. Visit our website today www.nachurs.com. ### For more information please contact Becky Worley E-mail - worleyb@nachurs.com Phone – 1-800-622-4877, ext. 233

July 26, 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NACHURS® Joins Field to Market
Pledges to Catalyze Opportunities for Continuous Improvement
in Sustainability of Commodity Crop Production

NACHURS announced today that it has joined Field to Market: The Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture, a leading multi-stakeholder initiative working to unite the agricultural supply chain in defining, measuring and advancing the sustainability of food, fiber and fuel production in the United States.

“For over 70 years, NACHURS has been a leader in promoting sustainable agriculture with high quality products and precision placement.” said Murray Van Zeggelaar, Vice President – Marketing. “We are very excited to join Field to Market and help them demonstrate that growing high yielding crops in a sustainable manner is achievable to help feed a growing world population.”

As an active member in Field to Market, NACHURS will work together with grower organizations, academia, conservation groups, public sector partners and leading companies to help to catalyze opportunities for continuous improvement in productivity, environmental quality and human well-being across the agricultural value chain.

Field to Market engages in broad communication and collaboration with stakeholders to ensure a coordinated, outcomes-based approach to sustainable agriculture that is grounded in science. By providing useful measurement tools and resources, Field to Market helps growers and the supply chain track and promote continuous improvement at the field and landscape levels.

“We are pleased to welcome NACHURS to our growing membership and look forward to collaborating on opportunities to help growers identify opportunities for continuous improvement and drive sustainable outcomes for commodity crop production,” said Rod Snyder, president of Field to Market. “NACHURS, which has a strong commitment to helping farmers further maximize fertilizer efficiency and nutrient stewardship, will be a valuable partner for the supply chain as we work to advance sustainability at the farm level.”

Representing all facets of the U.S. agricultural supply chain, Field to Market provides an unparalleled platform that helps the food and agricultural supply chain benchmark sustainability performance, catalyze continuous improvement and enable supply chain sustainability claims. For more information, visit www.fieldtomarket.org .

About NACHURS
Nachurs Alpine Solutions®, a liquid chemicals manufacturing company, is a market leader in the manufacture and distribution of high quality liquid starter fertilizers, other fertility amendments, and a variety of industrial products. Visit our website today www.nachurs.com .

###

For more information please contact Becky Worley

E-mail - worleyb@nachurs.com