Many strip-tillers consider precise fertilizer application a foundational element of their systems. They seek ways to more efficiently and effectively place nutrients where they are most accessible to growing plants. Variable-rate nutrient application is still an emerging practice, so what are the secrets to overcoming adoption obstacles and bringing it from a technology on the brink to a mainstream tool?

“The scale at which we should manage nutrients remains much smaller than the scale at which we do manage nutrients,” says University of Kentucky associate professor and soil management specialist Joshua McGrath. “Generally, research indicates the scale for nitrogen management should be about 2 corn plants. That means we should be switching rate every 14 inches.”

During the keynote dinner presentation, McGrath discusses ongoing research into variable-rate technology, including creating the optimal conditions for creating fertility prescriptions for maximum plant response.

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The 2018 National Strip-Tillage Conference Video Replay is brought to you by Ingersoll Tillage Group.