News release issued April 29, 2001, effective immediately.
For media inquiries, contact Caroline Booth Lara, Communications Specialist, (580) 224-6379.
  email: cblara@noble.org

To Fertilize or Not: Is There Really Any Question?

ARDMORE, Okla. -- The rising cost of fuel is a major concern to agricultural producers. But those price hikes can have a ripple effect in other areas, such as fertilizers.

"Nitrogen fertilizer prices are tied to natural gas prices and, therefore, are much higher than they were last year," explained Fred Schmedt, an agricultural economist with the nonprofit Noble Foundation, based in Ardmore, Oklahoma. "This increase is a concern to many as the time to fertilize warm-season grasses approaches."

Nitrogen is usually, but not always, the largest component of a balanced fertility program. Phosphorus and potassium should be applied according to soil test determinations. Nitrogen rates are normally determined according to desired or feasible yield goals.

"Since most producers need to maintain or increase production to maintain their standard of living and stay in business, decisions to cut back on nitrogen fertilizer usage are often difficult to justify," Schmedt said. "As with all short-term production adjustments, an enterprise budget can aid the analysis. The good news is that prices are higher, and are expected to remain higher, for all classes of beef cattle.

"Can you afford to fertilize in 2001? I believe you can," Schmedt added

For more detailed information on a hypothetical cow-calf budget, visit the Noble Foundation’s website, press release section, at:
http://www.noble.org/Press_Release.

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Budget workheet here: PDF (Adobe Acrobat) file

The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, headquartered in Ardmore, Okla., is a non-profit organization conducting agricultural, forage biotechnological, and plant biology research; providing grants to numerous non-profit charitable, educational and health organizations; and assisting farmers and ranchers through educational and consultative agricultural programs.

To learn more, check out the Noble Foundation Web site at http://www.noble.org.

More news releases available at www.noble.org/Press_Release