Without
fertilizer, the United States alone would have to plant an
additional 450 million acres of farmland to meet its demand
for crops. It
is important to remember that, by applying fertilizer,
farmers are simply replenishing natural soil properties that
were used by the plants in the previous year. Today,
farmers produce 70 percent more corn per pound of fertilizer
than 35 years ago. The efficiency gain has been a
combined result of environmental concern and fertilizer cost
increases.
Farmers
and Agribusiness have advanced technology associated with
managing nutrients at amazing levels. While these
technologies are very expensive, they are an important
factor in maximizing to environmental conservation.
Examples:
Precision
Agriculture
In-field guidance reduces overlap of fertilizer / chemical
applications.
Soil
samples on a GPS grid are compared with variable rate
applicators during planting and fertilizer application.
This reduces application rates in parts of the field where
higher nutrient levels already exist – accurate to within
less than an inch.
Polymer coating
on fertilizers
Allows
for a slow release of fertilizer so that it is utilized by
the plant at more opportune times – this reduces the need
for follow-up applications.
No-Till
Kentucky leads the nation in utilizing this technology.
No-Till was invented in Kentucky
Allows
farmers to plant crops without disturbing the residue from
the previous year’s crop. This "blanket" allows the soil
to build its level of organic matter, thus allowing plants
to obtain nutrients by natural properties in the soil.
Other
benefits of No-Till are reduced soil erosion, reduced
compaction and increased water-holding-capacity – all of
which allow farmers to produce more corn while decreasing
environmental impact. Less fuel is required when farmers
employ no-till, since it decreases the number passes over
the field.
Direct
injection of fertilizer
Allows
farmers to place the fertilizer directly next to the plant
so that it is more available to the plant.
Fertilizer can either be applied directly over the seed at
planting or "side dressed" next to the root system after
the plant has emerged. Farmers no longer have to spread
over the entire field and fertilize places that are not
available to a corn plant.
Conservation /
Filter Strips
Provides a grassy layer of uncultivated or unplanted
land to serve as a barrier between farmland and field
edges. Reduces erosion and runoff associated with
fertilizers and chemicals.
Additional
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