Yara's Crop Nutrition podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

In this encore episode, we revisit a crucial conversation from 2020 on the importance of nitrogen and sulfur in crop nutrition and how they work together to enhance plant health. The discussion emphasizes the need to go beyond just focusing on nitrogen application rates and to implement the four Rs of nutrient management: right rate, right source, right time, and right place. Our experts, Yara's Dr. Trey Cutts and Markus Braaten, CCA, highlight the benefits of using a homogenous product that ensures the correct ratio of nitrogen and sulfur in every prill. Research shows that this balanced approach can lead to a 10-15% increase in both yield and nitrogen use efficiency, ultimately driving profitability. Tune in to learn how balanced nutrition can optimize your crop growth

Takeaways

• Consider more than just the rate of nitrogen application in crop nutrition.
• Focus on the four Rs: right rate, right source, right time, and right place.
• Using a homogenous product like Yara Ametis ensures the correct ratio of nitrogen and sulfur.
• Research shows that using Yara Ametis can lead to a 10-15% increase in yield and nitrogen use efficiency.
• Balanced nutrition is crucial for optimal crop growth and profitability.

Welcome to this special throwback episode of the Yara Crop Nutrition Podcast! We’re revisiting a classic episode from 2019, which is part of a series dedicated to exploring each essential plant nutrient. In this episode, Dr. Steve Petrie, retired Director of Agronomic Services, dives into the vital role of phosphorus in crop nutrition. He breaks down the “Four Rs” of phosphorus application: the right rate, the right source, the right placement, and the right timing. Dr. Steve also emphasizes the importance of soil testing, discusses the benefits of banded versus broadcast applications, and highlights the value of foliar treatments for addressing late-season phosphorus deficiencies. Whether you’re new to nutrient management or looking to refresh your knowledge, this episode offers timeless insights that are just as relevant today.

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In this episode, we're thrilled to welcome Tobin Stetson, a seasoned professional with a rich civil engineering and soil conservation background, who recently joined Yara to support our efforts in the Eastern Canadian markets.  We discuss the relationship between civil engineering and soil conservation, the importance of water in agriculture, and the projects Tobin has worked on in Prince Edward Island. We also explore sustainable farming practices, the impact of irrigation on crop production, and the role of Yara in supporting farmers in Eastern Canada.

Tobin comes to us with a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering. He has spent six years as a Soil & Water Conservation Engineer with the Prince Edward Island (PEI) Department of Agriculture. During his tenure, Tobin has been at the forefront of implementing advanced solutions in soil conservation, irrigation, and wastewater management. He's also deeply involved in enhancing farm infrastructure and promoting sustainable farming practices.

This is the 5th and final episode in a series of episodes dedicated to a network of incubator farms that Yara North America. These farms are dedicated to find innovative ways to improve farm productivity balanced with sustainable practices that can be implemented by growers to improve their on-farm profits.

In this episode the focus is on the Arkansas Delta incubator farm and its efforts to enhance nutrient and water use efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and increase yields. The standout feature of this farm is the tailwater recovery system, which recycles excess irrigation and rainwater and meters nitrogen application on a demand basis. The collaboration between Yara and the University of Arkansas has led to significant improvements in nutrient use efficiency, water use efficiency, and carbon footprint reduction. The farm has also seen a reduction in labor output and disruption of soil health. The tailwater pump technology is available to farmers, and they can receive incentive payments to implement it on their farms.

Guest experts on this episode are:

• Curt Knight, Soil Health Agronomist at Yara,
• Neil Mayberry, Yara Regional Market Development Manager of the Easter US
• Dr. Christopher Henry, Associate Professor and Water Management Engineer at the University of Arkansas.  He is a specialist in irrigation system design, scheduling, and efficiency.
• Dr. Tim Burcham, Director of the Northeast Rice Research and Extension Center, or NERREC, for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

We are in the forth episode in a series of episodes dedicated to a network of incubator farms that Yara North America is using to find innovative ways to improve farm productivity balanced with sustainable practices that can be implemented by growers to improve their on-farm profits. 

In this episode, Scott Warr and Erika Wagner discuss the Yara incubator farm in the Snake River Valley, Idaho, and its focus on potato production. They explore the differences between potato production for fries and the fresh market, as well as the objectives of the incubator farm in terms of crop nutrition, yield, quality, and carbon footprint. They also discuss the levers that can be pulled to reduce emissions in potato production and the importance of nutrient management in potato sizing and quality. Erika shares her excitement about the new season in the Snake River Valley and highlights the conferences and events where potato growers can learn more about the industry.

Erika Wagner, Agronomy Solutions Manager.  Erika has a BS in molecular biology and a masters in agronomy.

Fun facts about potato production in Idaho:
• Idaho grows the most acres of potatoes of any US state with 328,850 planted in 2023.
• The majority of the potatoes grown are russet potatoes.
• Russet potatoes grown in Idaho are used for processing into fries and for the fresh market.
• The majority of potato acres in Idaho are located in the Snake River Valley.

We are in the third episode in a series of episodes dedicated to a network of incubator farms that Yara North America is using to find innovative ways to improve farm productivity balanced with sustainable practices that can be implemented by growers to improve their on-farm profits.  Today, we're talking about the incubator farm in the  Canadian prairies to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Spread across 40 acres, we are studying essential crops like wheat, canola, peas, and barley.

Managing the farm is Yara's Delaine Mandziak, Agronomist now focusing on biologicals.

In this part 2 of our Incubator Farm series, Devin Clarke, takes us to the Yara Almond Incubator Farm in Modesto, California, a pioneering site in the heart of California's Central Valley. The farm is part of a series dedicated to exploring innovative solutions that combine enhanced farm productivity with sustainable practices. This 80-acre farm, which also features a walnut grove, functions as a collaborative research hub.

Devin Clarke, Agronomy Solutions Manager at Yara North America and a member of the Strategic Ag Innovation Committee for the Almond Board of California, delves into the cutting-edge practices being tested on this farm. The focus of the discussion is on continuous fertigation, a method that optimizes nutrient delivery to almond trees based on weekly crop demand curves. This strategy not only improves nutrient use efficiency but also boosts yield and reduces disease incidence, such as whole rot.

Devin emphasizes the farm's role in pushing the boundaries of traditional almond farming by integrating innovative crop nutrition management strategies that enhance productivity and soil health. The episode also touches on the challenges of scaling these practices, including the need for better infrastructure and practical guidance to support the widespread adoption of continuous fertigation among growers.

Listeners will gain valuable insights into how collaborative efforts at the Yara Almond Incubator Farm are reshaping the future of nut farming, aligning technological advances with sustainable agricultural practices.

This is the first in a series of episodes focused on the five incubator farms that Yara is managing in North America.  Launched in 2019, the Yara Incubator Farms Network is not just a series of farms; it's a visionary project connecting the dots between farming practices and the global food chain. With over 600 acres across North America, these farms serve as a living laboratory where cutting-edge research in soil fertility and crop nutrient management is conducted. This isn't just about increasing yields; it's about revolutionizing how we approach food production in harmony with the environment.

At the core of this initiative is the commitment to a triple bottom line: achieving climate neutrality, fostering sustainable farming practices, and enhancing Prosperity—all while supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Each farm within this network exemplifies Yara's dedication to these principles.

In this episode, we zoom in on a key player within this network—the Soil Health Incubator Farm in Auburn, Alabama. Situated within the EV Smith Research Station in collaboration with Auburn University, this 80-acre site serves as a prime example of how innovative farming practices can profoundly impact soil health and crop productivity.

Curt Knight, a Soil Health Agronomist at Yara, brings a wealth of knowledge with his Masters in Agronomy and soil science. Curt will shed light on the dynamic approaches being employed at the Auburn Incubator Farm to not only enhance soil health but also ensure profitable returns for farmers.

How important is the thin layer of crust on earth that we call soil? Dr. Rob Mikkelsen, Yara North America's Director of Agronomy, and soil science expert Professor John Havlin help us understand. Dr. Havlin's work has not only revolutionized grape cultivation in North Carolina but also advanced sustainable farming practices worldwide.

In this episode, we discuss the evolution of soil fertility practices, the impact of nutrient management on crop quality, and the significance of long-term agricultural trials. We'll also delve into Professor Havlin's intriguing research on wine grapes and how soil health drives the growing wine industry in North Carolina.

Nutrient management can become an opportunity for environmental stewardship.

Some Takeaways:

• Soil science is crucial for sustainable agriculture and the future of food production.
• Nutrient management and long-term trials play a significant role in improving farming practices.
• The book 'Soil Fertility and Fertilizer' has evolved over the years to address changing agricultural practices and environmental concerns.
• There is a need for more young people to pursue careers in soil science and agriculture.
• Teaching quantitative skills in soil science is a challenge but essential for understanding the science behind soil health and fertility. The work with wine grapes in North Carolina has been the most exciting and rewarding for John Havlin.
• Nutrient management, particularly nitrogen application, plays a crucial role in improving the quality of wine grapes.
• Soil health and fertility are essential for successful grape growing.
• The grape industry in North Carolina has grown significantly in the past few decades.

Dr. Havlin holds the position of professor and extension specialist in Crop & Soil Sciences at North Carolina State University. He has also served as the past president of the Soil Science Society of America. Dedicated to raising awareness about soil's crucial role, Dr. Havlin's efforts have contributed to the establishment of the House of Representatives Soils Caucus and a $4 million educational exhibit at the Smithsonian, which opened in 2008. This exhibit aims to educate the museum’s six million annual visitors on how soil is fundamentally connected to human health, environmental sustainability, and planetary well-being.

To learn more check out these links:

• Document for the Carolina Geological Society (2022)
• Journal article summarizing some of our vineyard nutrient management research (2022), which will serve as the basis for an Extension product coming out later this year. 

In this episode of the Yara Crop Nutrition Podcast is a little different.  We talk with Taylor Chalstrom, the dynamic managing editor of My Ag Life and host of the My Ag Life podcast.  My Ag Life is a cornerstone resource dedicated to enriching the agricultural community in the Western United States with cutting-edge information. We talk about crucial topics such as soil health, the emerging role of biostimulants, advancements in agricultural technology, the intricacies of integrated pest management, and the criticality of effective water management. 

Links and Resources:

• My Ag Life Podcast
• Yara Crop Nutrition Podcast Subscribe Link

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