Prices for fertilizer for the next growing season may be moderating somewhat, but they are substantially higher than they were in 2007. Fertilizer for corn could easily cost the average farmer 2.25 times as much per acre in 2009 as it did just two growing seasons ago. It’s even worse if you are growing soybeans. Fertilizer cost for soybeans have tripled since 2007. Estimated fertilizer cost for corn in 2009 may be about $185 per acre and fertilizer cost for soybeans will be about $97 per acre according to Ohio State University Enterprise Budgets.

Farmers are looking for ways to cut costs without decreasing yield and profits. State specialists from Ohio and Kentucky will be in Butler County on Monday, Feb. 23 to resource the Southwestern Ohio Agronomy Day. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at the OSU Extension Office in Butler County located at 1802 Princeton Road, in Hamilton, Ohio. We hope farmers from all over the area will attend. Dr. Greg Schwab, University of Kentucky soils specialist, has done a lot of interesting work with nitrogen using slow release products. He will be discussing his work with corn and wheat. Dr. Robert Mullins, Ohio State University Extension specialist will be discussing phosphorus and potassium management in corn and soybeans.
Call your reservation into us at OSU Extension, Butler County, at 513-887-3722.  There is a $10 registration fee per person, which will be collected at the door.

Readers with questions or comments for Steve Bartels may write to him in care of this publication.