Author: Michelle Simon
Planning Unit: Campbell County CES
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Plan of Work: Agriculture and Natural Resource Education - Beef and Forage Production and Marketing
Outcome: Long-Term Outcome
The economy in 2022 has been one for the books and farmers are experiencing unprecedented price increases on input costs which has created challenges and uncertainties when ordering supplies and planning for the growing year. Urea fertilizer in spring of 2021 was $16 for a 50 lb bag; currently, in the spring of 2022- that same bag of fertilizer is $32. In response to this increase and potential affect on farmers profitability, Campbell County ANR Agent partnered with JD Green, UK Weed Science Specialist, and Josh McGrath, UK Soil Science Specialist, to provide northern Kentucky forage and grain crop farmers the NKY Grain and Forage Update. This update was an educational opportunity focusing on managing obstacles for the coming growing year. JD Green focused on weed control tactics and the economics of herbicide applications versus bushhogging and Josh McGrath focused on interpreting soil test results and planning fertilizer applications with consideration and price in accordance with tonnage produced. For example, soil tests with phosphorous and potassium in the medium and high range can produce the same amount of grass hay without added fertilizers saving farmers from paying elevated prices on fertilizer. As a result of the educational update and soil tests submitted to UK, Campbell County farmers saved approximately $1,087,500 on 13,372 acres by adjusting nitrogen fertilizer applications from 100 lbs/acre to 40 lbs/acre to maintain tonnage produced without spending extra money on fertilizer that will not produce a return on investment. By adjusting the fertilizer applications according to recommendations from Campbell County ANR agent, farmers saved money on fertilizer that has increased exponentially and maintained their level of production.
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