Page 2

Soil-Matters Newsletter  •  Summer 2008

News Briefs

HIGH DEMAND FOR ALTERNATIVES

With the cost for effective management practices escalating dramatically, the demand for alternative methods has reached an all-time high.  Biological products and soil nutrition offer farmers a chance to rebuild the foundation that supports and sustains all crops -  YOUR SOIL.

 

A BILLION REASONS TO FEED SOIL

Living in every teaspoonful of healthy soil are literally billions of microorganisms who, without adequate food, can compete for nutrients causing crops to suffer.

 

THE $64,000 QUESTION

Which is More Important?  How much fertilizer you apply? or, How much fertilizer the plant uses?

The efficiency of fertilizers is directly related to the health and activity of biological life in the soil. It is generally accepted that:

1) Nitrogen is only about 40% to 70% percent efficient.

2) A crop seldom recovers more than 15% to 20%  of directly applied phosphorus. This is due in a large part to the biological properties of the soil being low.

However, with high biological activity and an improved root structure on your crop, overall efficiency can be dramatically improved.

 

NO RELIEF IN SITE

Diesel prices should average $4.14 a gallon through 2008 (DOE) -- for 21% of a farmer's cost of production. Up 45% from last year, rising fuel costs hardly compare however, to a 65% increase in fertilizer prices which are skyrocketing faster than almost any other raw material farmers use -- including price increases of 30% for seeds and 3.8% for chemicals. This trend has more producers implementing biological soil management and conservation practices to reduce  costs.

 

TIP!  A 10% increase in root mass increases fertilizer efficiency 10%.

 

REPORTS FROM THE FIELD:
Real Farm Results

Roots Comparison -- On the left:  Roots from biologically treated wheat  (Black Family Farms -- Cordell, OK)  Right: Roots from neighboring farm's untreated wheat.  (May 7, 2008)

Top: Biologically managed five years, John Bink's  non-irrigated wheat field in Kiowa County, Oklahoma (near Hobart) yielded an incredible 99.75 bushels per acre at harvest June 2nd.

Ray Trent and Randall Base (left) pull roots from his Pro-Soil treated wheat farm near Geary, Oklahoma (May 14, 2008)

heat throughout Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas is some of the best we've seen in years. Biologically treated fields show significant increases in root structure and better overall plant health than conventional neighbors. 

John Bink's harvest June 2nd  in Hobart, Oklahoma  yielded a personal best of  99.75 bushels.  Most wheat growers in Oklahoma are reporting yields from 30 bu/acre to 65 bu/acre so far this season.

Special thanks to Phoenix Technologies crop consultant Gary Shafer who joined us for a week-long wheat and corn tour across Kansas. 

July 10 through August 1:  Look for us in Indiana, Ohio, Illinois and Iowa where we'll be  conducting field days and field evaluations for corn and soybeans.

 May 8, 2008

From Left: Brett Porter, Bob Baker, Baker's Implements, and Ray Trent, North of Alva, OK

(continue to page 3)