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Summary
Even though sound nutrient
management planning involves a great deal of effort, time and
commitment, the results can be rewarding: closer relationships
with farmers, the excitement of trying new practices that
could increase profitability, and a more profitable business
for all involved.
The following tables show an
economic comparison of a maintenance recommendation for corn
(160 bushel yield goal, using a N crop removal rate of 1.2)
using only commercial fertilizer versus using dairy manure for
100% of P needs:
|
Commercial |
Price |
Nutrient
Needs |
Cost |
|
Product |
per ton |
Corn 160 bu |
per acre |
|
NH3 |
$200 |
192 |
$23.41 |
|
DAP |
$254 |
57 |
$15.74 |
|
Potash |
$145 |
46 |
$5.61 |
|
|
Total Cost per acre: |
$44.76 |
|
|
|
Dairy
Manure
Analysis |
Tons
needed
Balanced to
100% P needs |
Total
Nutrients
Applied |
Remaining
Nutrients
Needed |
Cost
per
Acre
|
|
N - |
3 |
19 |
57 |
135 |
$16.46 |
|
P - |
3 |
19 |
57 |
0 |
$0.00 |
|
K - |
8 |
19 |
152 |
0 |
$0.00 |
|
|
|
|
Total Cost per acre: |
$16.46 |
|
|
|
Total
Fertilizer Savings per acre: |
$28.29 |
|
GPS Soil Sampling and
Nutrient Management Plan cost: |
$11.00 |
|
|
|
|
Total
savings per acre: |
$18.29 |
|
Even with the additional
cost of soil sampling and writing the plan, there is still a
great potential for savings if the plan is followed.
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