Norcross, Ga.-Scientific staff for the International Plant Nutrition Institute are cautioning growers not to cut fertilizer rates too sharply this spring. “We did not have a normal fall fertilizer season in 2008 and that is putting a lot of pressure on moving product this spring,” said Dr. Terry Roberts, president of the IPNI. “There has been lots of talk about price dictating 2009 cropping plans, but farmers are holding off on decisions hoping for better prices and considering cutting back on phosphate or potash, while retailers are sitting on higher priced inventory. Meanwhile, the clock is ticking.” Roberts stressed that fertilizer is still a good investment for farmers, even in this challenging economy. “Each dollar spent on fertilizer can return up to two or three dollars or more in profit, depending on conditions,” he said. “Farmers cannot afford to cut back on needed fertilizer nutrients, nor chance delaying their application. The current market fluctuations are unsettling and making everyone sharpen their pencils, but let’s not forget some basic economics … cutting back on fertilizer below optimum rates will not reduce the cost of seed, pesticides, fuel, rent, or taxes, but it will decrease yields and it will decrease profits.”
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