Getting a head start on the 2026 season begins now! As the year winds down, it’s the perfect time to start planning for next year. One of the best ways to set yourself up for success is planning ahead with fall soil testing.

Fall is an ideal time to get a good read on your soil’s health. By the end of the season, your soil has been through a lot of changes. The crops have been taking up nutrients, and you’ve applied various inputs. A fall soil test gives you a post-harvest idea of what nutrients are left and what your soil’s pH is like after a full season of activity. This information helps you see how your nutrient management program performed and helps identify any potential issues that developed over the summer.

The value of knowing your soil

Knowing your soil’s nutrient levels is the first step in building a fertility program. A soil test provides information on:

• pH: This is a big one. Soil pH affects nutrient availability more than almost any other factor. If your pH is outside of optimal range, many of the nutrients you apply won’t be available to your crops, no matter how much you put down.
• Macronutrients: We’re talking about the big three: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). These are the nutrients your plants need in the largest quantities. A soil test tells us what’s there so you can make a plan to apply what’s needed for the 2026 season.
• Micronutrients: Don’t forget the little ones! Nutrients like zinc, manganese, and iron are needed for healthy plant growth and can have a big impact on final yield. We can’t manage what we don’t measure, and a soil test helps identify deficiencies before they become a problem.

At AgroLiquid, our goal is to help you grow the most profitable crops possible, and it all starts with the soil. By having a complete picture of your soil’s needs, we can create a custom fertility plan that works for you. We want your crops to get  exactly what they need, when they need it.

Making a plan

How to get started? Here are the steps:

1. Map out your fields: Decide which fields you’re going to test and where. If you’re new to testing, start with a few fields. Over time, you can expand to your entire operation.
2. Contact your AgroLiquid representative: Your local AgroLiquid representative is your partner in this process. We can help you with everything from sampling tips to interpreting the results.
3. Take your samples: Collect soil samples from representative areas of each field. Consistency in sampling depth and location is helpful for getting an accurate read.
4. Send to the lab: Once your samples are collected, they’re sent to a professional lab for analysis.
5. Review the results: Once the results are back, you and your AgroLiquid rep will sit down and go over them. We’ll look at the data and start building a plan for your 2026 fertility program.

Resources

The AgroLiquid site is full of resources to help:

• Soil Testing and Tissue Sampling
• How to Develop a Fertilizer Plan to Maximize Returns
• Fall Soil Testing
• Thinking About Post-Harvest Fertility

Don’t wait until spring. By making a plan for fall soil testing now, you’ll be one step ahead. You’ll be ready to apply the right nutrients at the right time, setting your crops up for a healthy and profitable growing season. Contact your AgroLiquid representative today to get started.

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Of course, there’s no one size fits all plan, since the soil and the weather make every year different. But, building the best crop nutrition plan isn’t a guess – it’s getting the right information to make the best decisions for your yield goals.

So how can you give your crops what they need and when they need it to maximize your ROI? Here are five ways to help create a smarter and more precise crop nutrition management plan.

1. Start with a high-quality soil analysis

This is the foundation of it all! A comprehensive soil test is like taking nutrient inventory. It looks beyond the standard N-P-K readings to tell you about:

• Micronutrients: Zinc, manganese, and boron are just as important for yield as the macronutrients.
• Soil pH: This is a major component of nutrient availability. For example, you might have plenty of phosphorus in the soil, but if the pH is too low, the plant can’t access it. Correcting the pH is the first step to using the potential of what’s already there.
• Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) and organic matter: These tell you about the soil’s ability to hold and supply nutrients throughout the season.

You wouldn’t plan a trip without knowing what direction to go. Don’t plan a season without a soil test. Learn more about it in our Back 2 Basics video series.

2. Set realistic goals

Your nutrient plan should be designed to meet a goal. Look at your past data to set an ambitious – but achievable – target for each field.

Questions to ask include: What is the five-year average production history for this field? What did you best year look like? With the new variety you’re planting, what is its potential this year?

Setting a realistic yield goal helps you build a plan that supplies enough nutrition to reach that target.

3. Analyze your past records

Before you plan for next year, look back at the information you already have.

• Yield maps: Where are your best and worst performing areas? A yield map might show a consistent low spot. Check for the cause – compaction, broken tile, sandy spot? Maybe that zone doesn’t need more nutrients, but instead a different approach to managing an issue.
• Old soil tests: Look at trends over time. Are your phosphorus levels slowly declining? Is your pH heading downward? This long-term view helps you stop issues before they turn into a bigger problems.

4. Do in-season tissue sampling

A soil test tells you what’s in the soil…but a tissue test tells you what the plant has actually absorbed. This is your mid-season report card, and it’s a great tool for fine-tuning your nutrition plan. A crop can look healthy, but a tissue sample might show it’s lacking in something important. Catching a deficiency early means you can put on a foliar application to correct the problem before it limits your yield. Sometimes it’s the difference between seeing a problem and preventing one.

Learn more about tissue sampling.

5. Consider your nutrient source, placement, and timing

How you apply your nutrients is just as important as what you apply. Consider your starter fertilizer program. Your choice can make a huge difference in getting your crop off to a strong and uniform start. Likewise, for side dress or foliar applications, using a product that is readily available and efficiently absorbed by the crops means you get the most out of your investment, especially when the crop is under stress.

Building a plan

Creating the best crop nutrition program is a year-round process of planning, executing, and evaluating. By combining high-quality soil analysis, realistic goals, historical data, tissue sampling, and application strategies, you move from a generic plan to a more precise strategy designed to give you the best season ever.

At AgroLiquid, this is what we work toward. Our products and programs are developed to fit into your seasonal goals. Want to get started? Talk to your AgroLiquid rep to build your best plan yet.

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It’s easy to focus just on getting the crop out of the field. It’s the most exciting time of the year! However, the groundwork for a profitable next season starts now. By using the final weeks as an evaluation period, you can use this year’s crop to make better decisions for next time.

How can you build a better plan for the 2026 season? We spoke with AgroLiquid sales agronomist Stephanie Zelinko about what growers can do.

Why plan now
According to Stephanie, it’s important to start planning now, before harvest is over. Evaluating your existing crop at the end of the season is a great way to get started on the coming year’s crop. Walking fields now, as the crop is finishing up its lifecycle, allows you see where your nutrient program may have run short.

“Did you have enough nitrogen and potassium to finish the crop, or were deficiencies starting to show up?” Stephanie asked. “How do your corn ears look, and are your soybeans full pod to the top? Your crops communicate – all you have to do is watch. Then you take that information to help build a better program for next season.”

Pest damage and future influence
Growers need to take note about weeds, diseases, or insect damage that could influence decisions for next season, since a plant’s ability to handle stress impacts your final yield. By combining a pest management strategy with a nutrition program, you can help create a more resilient crop. Plus, planning ahead for threats like these helps you respond quickly if they do happen.

“Any stress will limit yield, and controlling pests will reduce the stress load on the crop,” Stephanie said. “From the nutrition side, having a healthy plant will help them through periods of stress. Potassium plays in key role in stress management, and foliar applications applied with your crop protection will help the plant recover quicker.”

The value of data
To get a complete picture, there is definite value in taking late-season plant tissue samples and soil samples. Soil, tissue and sap samples are all good ways to see how your soil and plant are doing and can help connect the dots once yield results come in. Looking over all this information can help improve outcomes for the next year. Once growers have data – notes, yield maps, soil tests – they can turn it into a plan. Since there is a lot of information, it’s helpful finding someone to put it all together.

“The more data you can get from the field the better decisions you can make,” Stephanie said.

Looking ahead: The biggest challenge for 2026
Based on what Stephanie is seeing in the fields and economic climate this year, she shared what change she thinks many growers will need to make for 2026.

“I think the biggest challenge this year and will continue into 2026 is the overall ag economy,” she said. “I think growers are doing a good job overall managing through this time. However, as we continue to see this in another season growers should be conscious on where they are cutting back. Growing a crop off of ‘banked’ nutrients can be a short-term solution, however, as the economic state continues this bank will need to be replenished.”

Before harvest, look at your crop and your data, set a budget, and work through that information so you can spend your dollars to best serve the crop and your farm. Here’s to a great harvest, and an even better kickoff to next season!

The post How to prepare for the 2026 season – before harvest appeared first on AgroLiquid.

AgroLiquid wants growers to get more juice for the squeeze. Comparing different programs and the varying results is the best way to see what works for citrus farmers.

Let’s look at comparing different aspects of citrus programs.

AgroLiquid Citrus Trial Brix, Yield, and Size of Fruit
This study compared two fertilizer programs:
• Grower standard: Nitrogen (180 lbs), 10-34-0 (140 lbs), Potassium (160 lbs), and Thiosulfate.
• AgroLiquid: Nitrogen (154 lbs), PrG (90 lbs), and Kalibrate (140 lbs).

Findings
• Brix: The AgroLiquid program resulted in a significantly higher Brix level (5.9) compared to the grower standard program (5.6). This shows the fruit from the AgroLiquid program had a higher sugar content, which is important for fruit quality and taste.
• Fruit size: The AgroLiquid program produced larger fruit. The combined percentage of large and jumbo-sized fruit was 65% in the AgroLiquid program, compared to 60% in the Grower standard program. Larger fruit can have an economic advantage for growers, since larger sizes usually get higher prices.
• Yield: The overall yield difference between the two programs was reported as “very small,” suggesting that both programs were comparable in terms of total fruit production.

Conclusions
The AgroLiquid program’s ability to increase Brix levels indicates improved fruit quality. Plus, the higher percentage of large and jumbo size fruit in the AgroLiquid program is an economic advantage.

The AgroLiquid program demonstrated a clear advantage in improving both the Brix level and the size of fruit. While the overall yield was similar to the grower’s standard, the improved fruit quality and the larger fruit shows the AgroLiquid program could offer growers an opportunity to increase their profits.

AgroLiquid Citrus Trial Comparing ROI GS vs AgroLiquid
This compared AgroLiquid to a grower’s standard program, specifically focusing on the ROI in a mandarin crop.
• Grower standard: This program consisted of Nitrogen (180 lbs), 10-34-0 (140 lbs), Potassium (160 lbs), and Thiosulfate.
• AgroLiquid: The AgroLiquid program used Nitrogen (154 lbs), PrG (90 lbs), and Kalibrate (140 lbs).

The goal was to evaluate the impact of each program on the profitability for the grower.

Findings:
– ROI: The AgroLiquid program generated an impressive $720 more profit per acre compared to the grower standard program.
– Savings: The AgroLiquid program saved $74.25 per acre for the grower compared to the traditional approach. This lower input cost directly contributes to a higher profit.
– Value per pound: The AgroLiquid program yielded $0.02 more per pound compared to the grower standard.
– Size: AgroLiquid produced 5% more large and jumbo fruit compared to the grower standard.

Conclusions
The results of this trial show a strong economic advantage for mandarin growers using AgroLiquid. The combination of reduced input costs and increased revenue – driven by improved fruit size and quality – can lead to an increase in profit.

AgroLiquid Citrus Trial Comparing Yield and Gross Income
This compared a grower standard fertilizer program to an AgroLiquid program where phosphorus and potassium sources were replaced with AgroLiquid’s PrG and Kalibrate in a mandarin crop. The study focused on the impact on yield and gross income per acre.

• Grower standard (GS): Nitrogen (180 lbs), 10-34-0 (140 lbs), Potassium (160 lbs), and Thiosulfate.
• AgroLiquid (AL): Nitrogen (154 lbs), PrG (90 lbs), and Kalibrate (140 lbs).

Findings
• Yield: The grower standard produced 34,762 lbs/acre, and the AgroLiquid program yielded 34,879 lbs/acre, which is very similar.
• Gross income: Despite the comparable yields, compared to the grower standard, the AgroLiquid treatment significantly increased the gross income per acre by $646. The AgroLiquid program generated a gross income of $9,578.21 per acre, and the grower standard was $8,932.12 per acre.
• Fruit size: The difference in gross income was due to the AgroLiquid program producing bigger fruit size and a greater quantity of fruit. This suggests that while the total weight of harvested fruit was similar, the AgroLiquid program yielded more valuable, larger fruit.
• Performance: The trial showed AgroLiquid PrG and Kalibrate provided better yield quality and sizing compared to the grower standard.

Conclusions
This shows that focusing only on total yield might not fully capture the financial benefits of a fertilizer program. While both programs produced a similar amount of fruit by weight, the AgroLiquid program’s fruit size added to the gross income. The $646 per acre increase is a financial advantage for growers using AgroLiquid. This trail shows that using AgroLiquid products like PrG and Kalibrate can lead to a more valuable harvest, even without a significant increase in yield.

Across this study, there’s a common theme: AgroLiquid programs offer benefits that can lead to increased profits. While the overall yield may be similar to traditional programs, AgroLiquid consistently demonstrates advantages in fruit quality, fruit size, and ROI per acre. And what does ROI translate into? A juicer squeeze.

Get started on improving your citrus crop today:

See the research

Contact AgroLiquid agronomists

The post Getting more juice from the squeeze: AgroLiquid citrus research appeared first on AgroLiquid.

As a result, wheat that hits a specific protein threshold receives a premium price on the market. This is an obvious economic incentive for growers to manage crops to get the highest protein levels possible.

How can nutrient management best increase protein levels in wheat, and how can AgroLiquid help? Let’s explore.

Wheat characteristics
Genetic selection and agronomic practices play important roles in protein content, but there is also a direct impact from nutrients, particularly nitrogen and sulfur.

For nitrogen, growers have a few options for helping wheat reach its full potential:

• Base nitrogen applications
  First, growers can begin with soil testing to understand existing nutrient levels. While considering the region and economics, it’s helpful to set realistic yield goals and protein targets. Then, use the nitrogen application that works best with these targets.
• Split applications
  With split applications, growers can divide nitrogen applications to match the crop’s needs throughout the growing season. An initial amount supports early growth and establishment, while later applications can be timed to improve the accumulation of protein in the grain.
• Late-season nitrogen
  Also, consider late-season nitrogen application. Foliar nitrogen applications around flag leaf, anthesis (flowering), or post-anthesis can be effective for increasing grain protein. Also, make sure that the foundational nitrogen needs for yield have already been met, and carefully manage foliar applications to prevent leaf burn.

The role of sulfur
While nitrogen gets the most attention for protein improvement, Sulfur also plays a large role. In fact, sulfur is increasingly recognized as a support for both wheat yield and quality, including protein content.

An adequate supply of sulfur is needed for the plant to synthesize complete proteins, and it’s also important for the formation of chlorophyll and photosynthetic processes.

Plus, sufficient sulfur is needed for the plant to effectively convert nitrogen into protein. It’s helpful to watch for signs of sulfur deficiency, like the yellowing of new leaves. Soil tests can determine the need for sulfur fertilization, especially when using high nitrogen rates or in soils known to be sulfur-deficient.

Products that can help
Focusing on nitrogen and sulfur helps elevate protein levels in wheat, and AgroLiquid offers two products that can be integrated into nutrient management plans to achieve these goals: NResponse and Micro 500.

NResponse
NResponse is designed to address the nutrient needs for protein development. It delivers a balanced supply of nitrogen and sulfur, the two drivers of protein accumulation.

• Nitrogen – The nitrogen in NResponse fuels the synthesis of amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein in the wheat kernel. By providing available nitrogen, especially when applied through split or late-season applications, NResponse contributes to higher grain protein concentrations.
• Sulfur – The sulfur component in NResponse plays a role in helping the plant efficiently use the applied nitrogen. Sulfur is needed for the formation of certain amino acids that are components of gluten proteins. Ensuring adequate sulfur availability through NResponse allows the wheat plant to convert nitrogen into protein more effectively.

Growers can use NResponse as part of their nitrogen management program. For instance, incorporating NResponse into a late-season foliar application can provide the readily available nitrogen and sulfur needed to push protein levels higher during grain fill, when protein accumulation is most active.

Micro 500
Micro 500 offers a blend of micronutrients – zinc, manganese, iron, copper, and boron – that play a supporting role in achieving high protein wheat.

• Plant health – These micronutrients help with enzyme activation, chlorophyll production, and nutrient uptake. Making sure these micronutrients are not limiting allows the wheat plant to function at its best and use the applied nitrogen and sulfur for protein synthesis.
• Nitrogen metabolism – Adequate levels of zinc and manganese help plants convert absorbed nitrogen into protein.

Micro 500 can be integrated into the nutrient management plan through soil or foliar applications, depending on soil test results and plant tissue analysis. By helping with a balanced supply of all essential micronutrients, Micro 500 helps create an environment where the wheat plant can maximize its genetic potential for protein production in response to nitrogen and sulfur applications.

AgroLiquid support
By strategically using NResponse and Micro 500, growers can create a comprehensive nutrient management program that directly targets the nutritional requirements for high protein wheat. The crop, the yield, and the economic benefits will follow. Or in other words, more bread for your bread.

Ready to get started? We’d love to talk. Contact us at AgroLiquid today.

The post More bread for your bread: How nutrient management can increase protein levels in wheat appeared first on AgroLiquid.

The weather varied around the country, with some growers having near-ideal conditions, with others dealing with extreme challenges. AgroLiquid agronomists Abe Isaak and Stephanie Zelinko shared their experiences with the growing season, answering the question – what did we learn in 2024?

Nuts in the West
For some regions, it was heat and more heat. For instance, the long-term heat California experienced had its good and bad impacts on crops. Of course, we need heat units for most crops to produce at optimum yields, and we irrigate with more water to counter the stress. Fortunately, we had a wet winter and in most areas of the state, the water was adequate. Almonds and walnuts had to deal with low market prices for most of the year until early fall when we started to see an uptick in prices.

Growers cut inputs to increase profit, and sometimes that means the fertilizer budget is reduced when prices get low, like they did in spring 2024. What’s the impact of cutting nutrition on the trees, and how much did it affect yields and quality of nuts?

“Yields are down in some places 20% to 30% in almonds, and walnuts up to 40%,” said Abe Isaak, West region sales agronomist. “I’ve talked with a lot of PCAs [Pest Control Advisers] and asked them what happened to the yield on nuts this year, and heat is the number one answer. But – we’ve had years in the past with heat, and the yield loss wasn’t as bad as it was this year.”

As a result, there’s an impact to cutting nutrition. The number one input growers use is nitrogen, so what’s usually cut first is potassium, phosphorus, and micronutrients. Yet when the heat hits hard and the tree is starting out with moderate to low levels of potassium, the tree calls for it from the soil – and it’s not there to help deal with the heat.

As a result, the tree will try to pull the next best thing – sodium. If you have high sodium instead of potassium, the plant builds cell walls using sodium instead of potassium. When the heat comes, pressure builds in the cells, they explode, and you get leaf burn and leaf death. The tree will then look tired, so you irrigate, and you may even give it more nitrogen (N). But, by the time August rolls around we see a lot of tired, defoliating trees.

Yield loss follows, since the tree can’t sustain the crop. As a result, it drops nuts to find a balance, and the remaining nuts are smaller and drier at harvest than normal.

“When running the numbers and you have a 2500 lbs. crop normally, and you lose 20%, that means 500 lbs. is gone,” Abe said. “Even at $1.30 that’s still a lot of money and pays for your potassium, phosphorus, micronutrients, and some calcium as well.”

This was AgroLiquid’s seventh year doing replicated trials on almonds in Newman, CA. The average for both NP and independent varieties is 2900 lbs. In 2024, we grew only the independent variety, which resulted in over 2900 lbs. per acre.

“We fed the trees according to what they needed, and got yield and quality ROIs that more than justified the inputs,” Abe said. “So, what did we learn in 2024? Heat will reduce the yield and quality, but heat compounded with shorting the nutrition kicks the butt of yield and quality even more. You can’t afford to save nickels and dimes when it is costing you dollars of unrealized income.”

New in 2025
We see some light at the end of the tunnel for almonds and walnuts, so perhaps this means we can return to better input levels and return to better yields. The 2025 crop year started in June of 2024, and the first big fertilization is post-harvest this fall. Fall is not the time for a lot of nitrogen, as much as phosphorus, and potassium, and micronutrients. The tree stores carbohydrates for the spring in the fall. If you put a tree to bed tired without a good meal, it will wake up hungry and stay that way till after the crop is set. The tree uses stored energy in the spring that it got in the previous fall.

“This is vital to getting things back on track and dealing with tree stress from this summer’s heat, and this will be vital for dealing with next year’s high heat,” Abe said. “If you’re short next year, you will see dramatic difference in tree health – and most importantly in your pocket.”

Abe recommends to growers that they hit post-harvest well, adjust in the spring and summer, take soil samples, and use them to develop a well thought-out program, as well as working with professional who can help interpret the samples results.

“I believe better days are coming to the nut industry, so let’s position ourselves to participate and maximize our returns,” Abe said.

Budget considerations
We have been in the low market situation for a few seasons now, and as the length continues, growers need to be more aware of their budget to make sure they have enough return to cover those expenses.

“One low market year you may still be able to get away with spending more, but as those years start to stack up budgets become more important,” said Stephanie Zelinko, sales agronomist.

Knowing your fertilizer budget is the best way, especially in these lower market times, to make sure growers are spending dollars on the nutrients that are giving the best return on investment. With this year’s lower markets AgroLiquid experts looked at building fertilizer programs to fit them.

“We found a current soil test and working with product win-rates was the best way to build a fertilizer program,” said Stephanie.

Starting off in 2025, we’re beginning with another year of low commodity prices, and it’s helpful for growers to spend based on potential income.

“Another concern is the change in weather patterns,” she said. “Many parts of the country are ending with lower than normal moisture, and a some have above-normal moisture. With most soil testing being done in the fall, growers need to be aware those results may be altered about if the soil moisture conditions are strongly different than in the past.”

Looking ahead
What did we learn? A balanced and responsive nutrient program can mitigate losses and deliver a strong ROI, even in the face of weather challenges. Looking ahead to 2025, it’s important to prioritize post-harvest nutrition to replenish depleted crops and prepare them for the upcoming season.

By combining soil testing, expert advice, and strategic nutrient management, growers can position themselves for success and capitalize on the potential market improvements. Despite economic difficulties, creating nutrient programs based on individual needs and potential income will be important for navigating these volatile times and maximizing returns.

For details on AgroLiquid’s trials, visit our research page.

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When you think about potassium (K), what comes to mind? Root growth? Photosynthesis? Resistance?

Of course – potassium helps with all of these crop issues. In general, potassium helps improve yields and quality. Specifically, as the second most-consumed nutrient, potassium is important for many plant functions – from photosynthesis and nutrient transport to water regulation and disease resistance.

At AgroLiquid, we understand the role potassium plays in crop nutrition, and we offer fertilizer designed to meet these needs.

Why potassium matters
Potassium contributes to several plant processes, including:

Photosynthesis: Potassium regulates the stomata, the pores on leaves that control gas exchange and water loss. Better regulation improves efficiency.
Nutrient transport: It helps transport nutrients and sugars through the plant for healthy growth and development.
Water: Potassium helps plants manage water intake.
Disease: The right potassium levels strengthen plant cell walls, making crops more disease and pest resistant.

AgroLiquid’s liquid potassium fertilizers are chloride- and hydroxide-free, making them a great choice for your crops and soil. First, this lessens the risk of crop injury often associated with traditional potassium fertilizers. It also promotes long-term soil health. It can be applied many ways, including broadcast, top dress, sidedress, foliar, and fertigation. AgroLiquid can also be used in conjunction with many other crop protection products.

Three forms of potassium exist in the soil – unavailable, slowly available or fixed, and readily available or exchangeable. Depending on the soil, much of the total potassium in the soil is unavailable, and plants can’t use it in this form. For slowly available or fixed, the potassium is trapped between layers of clay minerals. Meanwhile, readily available potassium is the form of it that is measured by soil tests.

AgroLiquid potassium options
To help crops, we offer potassium products designed for specific needs and growing conditions.

Sure-K
A potassium fertilizer designed to encourage growth at key reproductive stages. Its formulation promotes efficient sugar processing in plants, leading to larger, higher-quality yields.
• Provides sustained potassium nutrients at key reproductive stages
• Stimulates growth of fruit, seeds, and tubers
• Chloride- and hydroxide-free
• Lower concentrations with excellent results
• Flexible application reduces manpower required

Kalibrate
This fertilizer combines potassium with nitrogen and sulfur to support early-season growth. Kalibrate is formulated to resist freezing, making it good for cold climates and early- or late-season use.
• Supports early-season delivery
• Resistant to freezing
• Easy to use with other nutrients and crop protection products
• Chloride- and hydroxide-free to protect from salt toxicity
• Adds crop-available sulfur as well as nitrogen and potassium
• Multiple application methods
• Suitable for corn, soybeans, sugarbeets, wheat, and other row crops

Kapitalize
Kapitalize is a potassium solution with added calcium and sulfur, and it’s designed for foliar application during reproductive stages. It promotes strong plant cell growth and improves resistance to stress, drought, and disease.

• Can be foliar applied with little risk of tissue damage
• Provides needed nutrition when the plant needs it – during the development of seeds or fruits
• Promotes strong plant cell growth
• Improves resistance to stress, drought and disease
• Easy to apply with other crop nutrients

PrimAgro K
This product provides potassium, nitrogen, and sulfur and also renews the natural potassium processing cycle in the soil by restoring beneficial microbes. These microbes decompose organic matter, releasing potassium and making it more accessible to plants.

• Provides essential nitrogen, potassium and sulfur
• Restores beneficial soil bacteria
• Allows the soil to naturally retain plant-usable nutrients
• Improves soil health and longevity
• Balances nutrient profile in soil

At AgroLiquid, our potassium products are backed by years of research and development.
Our commitment includes scientifically-proven formulations based on research and field testing. Plus, we work with various growing conditions and crop requirements. We offer personalized guidance from our team of experienced agronomists, and we can work with your existing programs.

Whatever you’re thinking about potassium – it’s part of today’s path to successful crop production.
Contact AgroLiquid today to discuss this food for thought.

The post Potassium management for growers: Food for thought appeared first on AgroLiquid.

Let’s look at this from a performance perspective. We’ll assign roles, set the stage, and put on a real show. For growers, that means planning the planter fertilizer strategy, concentrating on the importance of micronutrients, and looking at how AgroLiquid products and knowledge can help you meet your goals.

Assigning roles – where do micronutrients fit?

Micronutrients, though needed in smaller quantities, are needed for certain plant functions. As we all know, deficiencies can impact yield and quality. However, identifying the exact deficiencies can be challenging because their symptoms can look similar.

Planting time is the best time to apply micronutrients. Addressing deficiencies ahead of time is more effective than trying to correct them after they exist. By placing nutrients directly in the root zone at planting, you can make sure crops have access to nutrients from the start.

Since 1994, the North Central Research Station has been experimenting with planter fertilizer opportunities. This research has helped us come up with plans to improve fertilizer use during planting time, as well as replace macronutrients as well as primary nutrients.

Setting the stage – planting time

Research has demonstrated that meeting all plant nutrient needs, as shown by soil tests, leads to improved results.

For example, in fields deficient in potassium, adding potassium fertilizer to the nitrogen and phosphorus starter resulted in higher yields compared to phosphorus alone.

AgroLiquid offers a range of products to meet your specific needs:
• Pro-Germinator: A dual-form phosphate fertilizer with multi-form nitrogen.
• Sure-K: A chloride and hydroxide-free potassium fertilizer.
• Micro 500: A micronutrient blend containing zinc, manganese, iron, copper, and boron.

Performance – putting on a show

Let’s see how it performs.

This field was low in potassium, and the addition of K to the nitrogen and phosphorus starter saw an increased yield over that with phosphorus alone. Here, we compared outcomes based on the use of NPK fertilizer alone (which is Pro-Germinator) and an NPK fertilizer combined with a potassium fertilizer (Sure-K).

In a second field with soil with high P and low K, a much higher yield occurred when the 10 gallons per acre fertilizer mix was heavier on the K side.

Trials show that AgroLiquid micronutrients perform better than dry micros, since they can be placed in a root zone band. Our products also have better yield results compared with other options.

For more info on this research, visit Micronutrients at Planter Time.

AgroLiquid is here to help you work through your entire crop performance, from beginning to a successful end. Making the most of planting time will give your crops the best chance for a good showing. Need someone to help? Our experts are always standing by to give you a hand.

The post Planning for planting: Maximize the effectiveness of your planter fertilizer appeared first on AgroLiquid.

What makes phosphorus important? It’s definitely needed for crop growth and development, since it helps with energy transfer, root development, and overall plant health.

While many growers focus on getting the right phosphorus levels early in the season – that’s not the end. Maintaining the right availability through the entire growing season is needed to get the best yield.

Getting started
Uniform emergence and early vigor will help you harvest a high-yielding crop. Phosphorus is helpful in these early stages, since it promotes quick root growth and seedling development. A strong root system allows plants to better access water and nutrients, which establishes a good foundation for healthy growth and stress resistance.

Why season-long phosphorus?
Research continues to demonstrate the importance of season-long phosphorus availability. AgroLiquid has performed various trials across different crops and growing regions. These trials consistently demonstrate that crops with continuous phosphorus through the season showed:

• Increased yield: Plans with a consistent phosphorus supply had significantly higher yields compared to those with limited phosphorus availability later in the season.
• Better nutrient use: Season-long phosphorus availability improved the uptake and use of other important nutrients, leading to better overall plant nutrition.
• Improved stress tolerance: Adequate phosphorus levels helped crops better withstand environmental stressors, like drought.
• Higher quality: Crops with the right amount of phosphorus demonstrated improved quality markers, like increased protein content in grains and better fruit size and firmness.

An issue with some phosphorus fertilizers is that they release nutrients too quickly, which can potentially lead to an early season surge or late-season deficiencies.

AgroLiquid fertilizers are designed to provide a continuous supply of phosphorus throughout the growing season. This is due to:

• Proprietary formulations: We use well-tested formulas and technologies to improve phosphorus uptake and availability over time.
• Targeted delivery: Our products help with both immediate and extended phosphorus release.
• Flexibility: We offer a range of phosphorus fertilizers that can be applied at different growth stages.

Get the details

But don’t just take our word for it…check out the details of our research.

Side dress fertilizer options in corn
This study focuses on side-dressing options for corn, emphasizing the importance of providing nutrients throughout the growing season, not just at planting.

Foliar phosphorus on gala apples
This study looks at the potential of foliar phosphorus applications to improve apple production and address challenges related to the availability of phosphorus.

3 year in-furrow phosphorus comparisons
This study was done to evaluate common phosphorus sources for effect on yield when applied in-furrow at planting as a pop up fertilizer.

Experimental phosphorus in corn
This is a three-year study evaluating of various phosphorus sources and application rates on early-season growth and yield. The study found that applying phosphorus in-furrow with AgroLiquid fertilizers consistently resulted in greater early-season growth and higher corn yields compared to untreated controls and other phosphorus products.

For more, visit our Research page.

As always, AgroLiquid experts are standing by, ready to help you with any of your fertilizer needs. We welcome you to contact us anytime.

The post The importance of season-long phosphorous: Getting a good start to your crop appeared first on AgroLiquid.

Growers eat and breathe their work. They know everything about the weather, soil conditions, and crop economics.

Of course, there’s always more to learn. Whether someone’s been farming for 5 years or 30 years, there’s always room for improvement…and higher profits.

What should growers learn to avoid? We talked to our AgroLiquid agronomists to define the top three spending mistakes, related to crop nutrition, growers can make.

1. Ignoring micronutrient needs

Growers understand the importance of addressing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium needs for their crops.

“I’ve seen growers try to reduce expenses in their crop nutrition program by not addressing the micronutrient needs of their crops,” said John Leif, AgroLiquid agronomist. “Although those nutrients are needed in small amounts, they are vitally important in providing a complete and balanced crop nutrition program.”

Micronutrients are important elements required by plants – but they only need small amounts. Boron, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, and zinc are nutrients that are needed to complete the life cycle of a plant.

Micronutrients play a role in plant processes, and each has a specific function. Since plants require micronutrients in small amounts, it can also be easy to miss a deficiency, but a deficit of any micronutrients can lead to reduced yield – and profits.

2. Not amending the soil

“Growers may be spending money on fertilizer when they really need to amend the soil,” said Abe Isaak, AgroLiquid agronomist. “This is often the underlying issue they face.”

Of course, amending the soil often takes more money than the crop they are growing can economically afford, so it is a delicate balance. But amending the soil can save money in the long-term. For example, if the soil magnesium is high, the grower will need to apply more nitrogen to get the desired result of the nitrogen.

Low calcium can create poor water penetration. With low calcium available to the crop, disease can become a problem, and the cell walls of the plant are weak.  Amending the soil is a not necessarily a quick fix, but it may be the long-term solution needed for a soil situation.

3. Repeating old patterns

It’s easy to do what you’ve always done…or what your farm has historically done.

“The biggest crop nutrition mistake I’ve seen growers make is to continue to do the same thing they have always done,” said Stephanie Zelinko, AgroLiquid agronomist. “Many times they have over or under-applied nutrients which is not the best way to utilize fertilizer dollars.”

Especially in these economically challenging times, growers need to be more aware of how they spend money and make sure they’re putting them toward the nutrients that are going to give them the best return on fertilizer investment.

“In many cases, this isn’t always going to be pushing nutrition levels to get top yield – but instead focusing on having a sustainable return for that acre,” she said.

Avoiding these mistakes can help with the bottom line. Since every farm is different, working with agronomists can also help with recommendations for getting the most out of your spending. With an informed approach, growers can have better yields with fewer mistakes along the way.

We’d love to talk! Contact us anytime.

Want to learn more about balancing your soils? Check out our Back 2 Basics video series. These videos take an in-depth look at the nutrients that may make a difference in your crop.

The post Three crop nutrition spending mistakes every grower should avoid appeared first on AgroLiquid.