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Posts From Larry Oldham, Extension Soils Specialist

Fertilizing Crops with Poultry Litter

🕔10:48, 12.Mar 2019

Poultry litter has been used to produce Mississippi crops for decades. However, most often it has fertilized hay and forage crops grown near the production facilities. The increased volatility of inorganic fertilizer prices circa 2008 led to more interest and use

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Burning Stalks – What does it Really Cost?

🕔09:03, 13.Sep 2017

After harvest, you immediately face management decisions which may have considerable effect on future productivity. Corn produces far more residue than most crops we are accustomed to, so it possesses considerable benefits, or may create anxiety depending upon how you view it. This article addresses the pro’s and con’s of crop residue and associated management options, including burning.

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Are you Behind on your Corn “Tassel Shot” Application?

🕔11:56, 22.May 2017

The Mississippi corn crop is generally on pace to tassel earlier than normal this year. Thus, how may this affect how the corn will respond to mid-season application of various management inputs, including nitrogen fertilizer and other products? This article will discuss factors and distinct scenarios that could dramatically effect realistic corn response.

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Importance of Nitrogen Timing and Methods for Southern Corn

🕔12:51, 7.Apr 2017

Nitrogen application timing, method, and fertilizer source may all significantly impact how your corn crop responds to fertilization. This article discusses how to improve corn response to nitrogen and reduce risk.

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When is the Best Time for the “Tassel Shot” on Corn?

🕔12:47, 31.May 2016

Many corn growers are implementing different “tassel shot” inputs as part of their management program. Questions often arise regarding how critical the application timing is, especially when weather or other issues may complicate timing of such inputs. This article discusses situations when application timing may be very important, as well as those when precise timing is not critical.

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How to get the Best Return on your Corn Nitrogen Dollars

How to get the Best Return on your Corn Nitrogen Dollars

🕔16:50, 5.May 2016

Your crop response to nitrogen fertilizer may vary considerably since our environment is very conducive to nitrogen loss. This article describes methods to optimize corn yield response to nitrogen fertilizer application.

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Broiler Litter as Fertilizer for Row Crops

Broiler Litter as Fertilizer for Row Crops

🕔09:36, 3.Mar 2016

Extensive research has been conducted with poultry litter as a nutrient source for row crops within Mississippi. Mississippi ranks among the top five states in both numbers of broiler chickens grown and quantity of meat produced. Broiler production primarily is

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Considering Soil Health

🕔15:16, 19.Feb 2016

About 250 different soils have been identified in Mississippi. Soils differ across landscapes because each soil is a site-specific product of five fundamental factors – parent material, local biology, topography, climate, and time. Biological, chemical, and physical processes are continuous.

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Soil pH and lime requirements are soil health assessments

🕔15:09, 3.Feb 2016

Two long-time soil fertility measurements are also soil health assessments. Soil pH and lime requirement are long recognized as the foundation of nutrient management as acid soils often need liming to aid crop growth and development. Soil organisms crucial to

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How much Nitrogen have I Lost from Saturated Soils?

How much Nitrogen have I Lost from Saturated Soils?

🕔09:41, 5.Jun 2015

Abundant rainfall has soaked corn fields for extended time during April and late May, exposing nitrogen fertilizer to potential loss. This article gives guidelines for estimating potential N loss.

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What is Appropriate Timing for the “Tassel Shot” on Corn?

What is Appropriate Timing for the “Tassel Shot” on Corn?

🕔15:58, 29.May 2015

More growers are implementing different “tassel shot” inputs as part of their corn management program. Wet weather and other issues may further complicate application timing of such inputs. This article discusses whether specific timing makes a big difference or not?

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Use a Sound Corn Nitrogen Strategy to Combat Rainy Weather

🕔17:31, 24.Apr 2015

Abundant spring rainfall can create havoc with corn nitrogen management by delaying fertilizer application and also promote massive nitrogen loss. These strategies should help enhance crop response during challenging conditions.

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Everything Old is New Again – Fertilizer Costs

🕔13:19, 27.Mar 2015

It is not just a song, a new conversation about an old concept is happening in soil fertility management. I started working with soils/soil fertility/nutrient management/soil management 29 years ago this March at the West Kentucky Research and Extension Center

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Lower Cost for Poultry Litter Analysis in Mississippi

🕔16:04, 4.Dec 2014

Earlier this year the Mississippi State Chemical Laboratory lowered the fee for poultry litter analysis. Nutrient content of litter used for fertilizer varies up to 60%. Crop producers should have a recent analysis of litter so appropriate land application rates

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Lime Need and Value

🕔13:45, 3.Sep 2014

Acid soils often need liming to aid crop growth and development. Fall applications provide more time for the lime to react with the soil, less stress on the human component, and better field conditions  for equipment operation. Soil acidity problems

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Fall 2014 Lime Programs

🕔14:19, 28.Aug 2014

With harvest beginning, it is time to think about the next crop. Fall liming allows time for the soil to react before the next summer crop is planted, and takes advantage of the (usually) drier conditions for field operations. Soil

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Tips to Improve Nitrogen Response for Mid-South Corn

🕔11:59, 12.May 2014

Considering the abundant rainfall we experienced during April and typically have, it is usually very important to optimize nitrogen fertilizer management. This newsletter discusses best management practices for corn nitrogen fertilization. These recommendations reduce the risk of nitrogen loss and can improve crop response when wet weather is prevalent during the spring.

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2014 Spring Nitrogen Fertilizer Recommendations for Wheat

🕔09:03, 26.Feb 2014

Wet, saturated soils and variable environmental conditions certainly complicate issues associated with nitrogen fertilization of wheat fields in the Mid-South. This article gives guidelines for getting better wheat response to your fertilizer dollars.

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There’s Good News About the Potassium in Your Soil

🕔15:18, 13.Dec 2013

As you look over your fields this winter, be thankful for the tons of potassium (K) present in every acre. It is the most abundant mineral macro-nutrient on earth, which is good because most crops utilize large quantities of it.

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How to Estimate Nitrogen Loss resulting from Saturated Soils

🕔18:42, 14.May 2013

Persistent rainfall has periodically saturated corn fields for several weeks this spring, prompting questions regarding potential nitrogen fertilizer loss. This article gives guidelines for estimating potential N loss.

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Top Ten Keys to High Corn Yields

🕔21:19, 14.Mar 2013

You must provide numerous resources and management to optimize the opportunity for corn plants to produce high yields. Of course, favorable weather plays a huge role as well. This article describes areas where we can improve corn yield potential.

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2013 Spring Nitrogen Fertilizer Recommendations for Wheat

🕔21:42, 14.Feb 2013

Wet, saturated soils certainly complicate issues associated with nitrogen fertilization of wheat fields in the Mid-South, and we have had our fair share early this spring. This article gives guidelines for getting better wheat response to your fertilizer dollars.

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Certified Crop Adviser Exam Registration is Open

🕔09:51, 2.Nov 2012

Start the process to become certified and register for the Certified Crop Adviser exams. Registration is now open for the February 1, 2013 examination date. Go to www.certifiedcropadviser.org/exams to learn more.  In Mississippi, the exams will be administered at the

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The Myth of Weed Seed in Poultry Litter

🕔11:42, 10.Apr 2012

I have been told in many places by many people that using poultry litter to fertilize crops spreads weed seeds. However, research by Auburn, the universities of Kentucky and Georgia, and most recently, Virginia Tech found this to be untrue.

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Mississippi State Soil Fertility Manual Now Available

🕔14:13, 8.Mar 2012

MSU Extension Service Publication 2647, Nutrient Management Guidelines for Agronomic Crops Grown in Mississippi, is now available. It includes: ********************************** Introduction to Nutrient Management The Soils of Mississippi Plant Nutrients Introduction to Soil Testing Introduction to Inorganic Fertilizers Lime, Liming

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