Increased fertilizer costs correlate fairly well with rising energy prices. Today’s economic climate, along with enhanced demand for food production domestically and worldwide, requires a higher dollar investment to acquire the same level of plant nutrition.

As farmers look to minimize fertilizer expenses, there may be a temptation to try non-traditional products that claim phenomenal results but do not have non-biased research to back up the claims. Most of these materials do not cause agronomic problems but may not provide any return on investment.
Ohio has several laws and regulations to protect farmers from products that falsely claim extraordinary benefits. However, keep in mind that unless performance expectations are in writing (printed on the product container or in promotional literature), it is difficult to prove that a product’s performance was misrepresented. Despite the efforts of the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA), products are sold that would stretch the imagination of independent researchers.

Of course, Ohio is not alone with such challenges. Dr. Larry Oldham from the Mississippi State University Extension Service wrote several years ago that despite layers of consumer protection, some non-traditional materials are commercially available. To help verify the merits of products, farmers should listen carefully for claims such as small amounts work wonders.

For example, soil activators at a rate of 1-2 gallons per acre to stimulate microbial activity. However, we do know that some seed inoculants including beneficial bacteria can boost yields significantly as proven by independent research.

Ask pointed questions about any product that sounds too good to be true. Has the product been university tested? Too often the answer is no, because a) the university only wanted to raise money by charging for the research, or b) it is too new for the university to know about. Both answers should be discounted.

Fertilizer products are rarely in a vacuum. There is extensive information exchange among soils scientists and agronomists regionally and across the nation. Ask for multiple years of data over multiple locations to represent different soil types and management practices.

Individual Certified Crop Advisors can also help sort out fact from fiction when it comes to fertilizer recommendations. Such CCA’s can offer an unbiased perspective not as readily found from someone who markets fertilizer.
Over the years, we have heard of livestock farmers being sold specialty fertilizers that can be applied at very low levels with significant overall savings on the fertilizer bill. In reality, many of those same livestock producers who raise their own grain for feed could do just as well without purchase of the specialty product.

Keep in mind that the organic fertilizer that exits the rear of animals contains all sorts of nutrients in addition to nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. A complex bundle of micronutrients is also included along with organic matter and microorganisms (biological activity). Thus, spending a few bucks to have manure analyzed periodically might provide you with the information that manure possesses many of the same qualities of some highly touted specialty fertilizers.

Resist purchases of products that are marketed based on testimonials. Without data from independent, replicated field trials, be wary of product claims. Acquire advice from unbiased consultants and trusted, commercial dealers. Ohio farmers can determine legitimacy of fertilizer products by going to the ODA website, www.agri.ohio.gov or calling 1-800-282-1955.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Roger Bender may write to him in care of this publication.