Getting the most efficient use of plant nutrients is a primary goal each year, but the same objectives also apply to efficient use of water, energy, pest protection, labor, and many other operations around the farm.  As harvest season proceeds, use this time to evaluate your decisions and ask yourself if you have done all you can to optimize efficiency this year.

It is obvious that adequate plant nutrition is essential for growing healthy crops, but it must be supplied with an eye on efficiency.  A convenient way to begin improving fertilizer efficiency is to remember the “4R” nutrient stewardship concept, which is applying the Right Source, at the Right Rate, at the Right Time, and at the Right Place.   Reviewing these four principles will go a long way in helping improve the return on your fertilizer investment.