News Archives - AgroLiquid

AgroLiquid and corn silage: More milk, better feed, higher profits

Carla Wardin — Tue, 27 Aug 2024 14:12:34 +0000

The root mass on the AgroLiquid-treated corn (top) was bigger with a more vigorous nodal system.

To increase corn silage yield and feed quality, AgroLiquid conducted a three-year research project in central New York.

Of course, corn silage is an important forage for many high-producing dairy herds. With its high energy content, corn silage is also used for finishing cattle. Because this forage is often the base for total feed rations, it’s important to produce a high-quality silage.

AgroLiquid and Dairy One, a dairy consulting group associated with Dairy Farmers of America, collaborated on these trials. Dairy One laboratories conducted forage analysis for this project, and forage quality values were entered into the milk production model “Milk 2006” developed by the University of Wisconsin.

The New York fields used in this project had adequate phosphorus levels, modest potassium levels, and low to modest sulfur and micronutrient levels. The AgroLiquid program was developed to address the nutrient needs of 30 ton/acre corn silage while using the crop nutrition present in the soil. The AgroLiquid program was compared to the commercial standard for the area as well as a reduced rate AgroLiquid fertilizer planter treatment using the same mix as in the full program.

Benefits of proper crop nutrition for corn silage:

Increased corn silage yield

Increased corn silage yield means more available feed, or fewer acres required to feed a herd. Using the results from this project, it would require 140 acres of corn silage treated with the AgroLiquid program to fill a 50’ x 200’ x 20’ bunker, compared to 194 acres of corn silage treated with the commercial standard program. That’s a difference of 54 acres!

Production from the remaining acres could be sold as a cash crop, or the land could be planted to other forages.

Increased forage quality increases milk production and profitability

Increased forage quality, in addition to increased yield, means more milk per acre of silage. Results from this project showed an average estimated increase of 8400 lb of milk/acre of silage treated with the full AgroLiquid program.

The average cost of the AgroLiquid program was about $100/ acre higher than the commercial standard 6-24-6 + 32% UAN. Using a milk price of $0.15/lb, the extra milk provided an additional $1260/acre of silage fed, for a 12.6:1 return on investment. That’s a substantial ROI – 12.6:1.

Increased forage quality reduces total feed cost for the herd

Using high quality corn silage to increase milk production reduces the cost of cornmeal and other feed inputs. The corn silage receiving the full AgroLiquid program provided over 2600 Mcal of energy that is required by cows to produce the additional 8400 lbs. of milk/acre compared to the commercial standard. The energy supplied by silage replaces about 2900 lbs. of cornmeal with a value of $270.

This means that on a 1000 cow dairy there is the equivalent energy to replace over 8 lbs. of ground corn per cow per day by feeding the higher energy silage produced on the AgroLiquid program.

Benefits

Being able to feed more forages and less grain for the same milk production saves money on feed, keeps cows healthier on a higher forage diet, reduces metabolic issues, and decreases foot issues in the herd. This reduces stress on the cows and improves the overall productivity of a dairy operation.

First, it’s a financial win. Forage is generally less expensive than grain, so being able to achieve the same milk production with less grain translates to direct savings on feed costs. This is particularly important in times of volatile commodity prices, providing a buffer against market fluctuations.

It’s not just about the bottom line. A higher forage diet promotes better rumen health, which leads to improved digestion and nutrient absorption. This reduces the risk of metabolic disorders like acidosis and ketosis, which can be costly and detrimental to health.

Also, a forage-rich diet has been linked to a decrease in foot problems. This might seem surprising, but the connection lies in the rumen. When cows consume too much grain, it can disrupt the rumen environment, leading to the production of elements that can negatively impact hoof health. By prioritizing forage, we support a healthier rumen and healthier hooves.

Beyond the physical benefits, a higher forage diet also contributes to reduced stress levels in the herd. Cows on a forage-based diet spend more time ruminating, a natural and stress-free activity for them. This overall improvement also contributes to the productivity and longevity of the herd.

Quality crop nutrition for corn silage production produces healthier, more productive plants with higher forage quality, improving milk production and profitability of a dairy operation. It is important for dairy producers to test their corn silage for forage quality and balance the feed ration to meet the needs of the herd.

Consult an animal nutrition specialist to assist with balancing rations if necessary. For questions regarding crop nutrition planning, contact your local AgroLiquid retail partner or AgroLiquid representative.

Products used

Kalibrate

Kalibrate is a clean, chloride- and hydroxide-free potassium solution that also contains sulfur. The unique formulation improves crop utilization, allowing lower total product application volume to produce the same results as other conventional potassium fertility products when applied at typical rates.

Pro-Germinator

Pro-Germinator is used primarily for the application of phosphorus, but is partnered with nitrogen, potassium, and micronutrients for maximum performance. Phosphorus is a nutrient that is critical for early plant development in a crop as well as in the reproductive stages. Phosphorus is the key nutrient in getting a pasture stand established, and in forages, the primary task of phosphorus is transforming protein, fat, and carbohydrates into energy.

accesS

accesS is a high-efficiency sulfur fertilizer. Our formula allows plants to more efficiently absorb sulfur and keeps more plant-usable sulfur in the soil. At the same time, accesS uses a lower concentration of sulfur at lower rates, but provides the same or better results compared to commodity fertilizers. This makes it an economical and environmentally responsible choice.

Microlink

Most farmers focus on macronutrients to improve yields and crop quality. However, micronutrients also play a pivotal role in crop development. If micronutrient deficiencies persist year after year, they will continue to damage crops regardless of the nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium applied. That’s where our microLink family of products can come in. From boron to molybdenum, we have a full line of micronutrients.

*Top image: Mid-season measurements in the full program plots showed corn plants were 30% larger in diameter and 12″ taller than corn plants in the commercial standard plots. Root development was also better in full program plots.

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Product Spotlight: LiberateCa

Angi Bunn — Mon, 31 Aug 2020 22:04:11 +0000

Phosphorus and calcium typically don’t mix. LiberateCa makes applications worry free, as it can be combined with other products –- even phosphorus. LiberateCa is highly available as it is chelated with our Nutriq Technology (FPT) to allow unsurpassed applica

tion compatibility and extremely effective plant absorption. FPT expedites the translocation of calcium into and throughout the plant for a quick and robust response – whether it is applied in the soil or in a foliar.

LiberateCa can be used on a variety of crops in a variety of timings. It is well-suited to use in-furrow as part of a row starter package for corn, or other row crops, to promote firmness of fruit in horticultural applications, and to decrease the potential for blossom end rot in tomato production.

Only mix the amount you need in a single application as the effects of chelation may dissipate resulting in the development of sediment after being mixed for several days with other products.

LiberateCa Benefits

Corrects or prevents calcium deficiency, stunted growth, and reduced yields
Promotes strong plant cell growth
Improves resistance to stress, drought and disease
Balances soil salinity
Improves water penetration through soil
Easy to apply at planting or throughout the growing season
Easy to apply with other nutrients

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Product Spotlight: Micro 500

Angi Bunn — Mon, 03 Aug 2020 18:28:24 +0000

Plants require 17 essential elements for maximum growth and production. Eight of these elements are micronutrients, while they are required in smaller amounts than macro and secondary nutrients they are still essential for plant growth. Five of the eight essential micronutrients can be found in Micro 500 – boron, copper, iron, manganese and zinc.

Micro 500 is a precision balanced combination of five essential micronutrients: boron, copper, iron, manganese and zinc. Micro 500 utilizes AgroLiquid’s Nutriq Technology and provides the benefit of synergized nutrients. Micro 500 should be considered when a specific micronutrient deficiency has not been established.

Micronutrient deficiencies are being seen in soil increasingly. Why is that?

Increased yields due to various technologies means higher removal of micronutrients from the soil.
Some micronutrients are no longer contained in high analysis fertilizers and fertilizer materials.
Any type of land preparation which results in the removal of several inches of topsoil can result in a deficiency of certain micronutrients on the cut areas.
High phosphorus levels can induce micronutrient deficiencies.

The chart below shows research from the North Central Research Station. They did a comparison of micronutrients and the additional one and two quarts of Micro 500 gave an additional net return and yielded higher than the baseline and no micronutrients.

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Expect the Unexpected

Angi Bunn — Mon, 27 Jul 2020 18:20:32 +0000

By: Galynn Beer, National Sales Manager

In agriculture, we are used to dealing with uncertainty. Weather, markets, the level of uncertainty
that exists in our geography, all are factors in making crop input decisions. Trade wars and
tariffs, along with Market Facilitation Programs (MFPs), have been harder to predict and factor
into decisions and has caused some frustration. But we’ve persevered.

Agriculture Presses On

While much of the country, and world for that matter, ground to a halt as a result of COVID 19, agriculture presses on. Farmers continue to quarantine themselves in their tractors and isolate themselves in fields. The one thing to
remember is that COVID 19 is not transmitted through the phone while sound advice can be. Technology provides us a mode of communication that delivers access to resources of expertise and inputs.

The Weight of Uncertainty

With all of the financial news being reported, a great deal of uncertainty exists. This can cause farmers to go in to survival mode and want to scale back input costs to a minimum. Emotionally charged decisions may override rational business decisions. AgroLiquid has personnel that ranks at the top of the industry when it comes to
making recommendations and matching fertilizer needs to expectations and economic conditions. While there won’t
be room for frivolous spending, a nitrogen only program—which I would consider a survival decision—won’t be the answer either. AgroLiquid aims to add value through guidance from trusted advisors. Someone who is a step removed from the weight of uncertainty can provide insights to help fight off the risk-averse tendencies that creep in with unanticipated risk. The AgroLiquid team can help in a couple of ways:
1) we have a culture of constant improvement to elevate our skills for times like this and
2) we want the farmer to be able to emerge from the uncertainty as an entity that will be on-going… surviving and producing profits for years to come.

As a result, it is in our best interest to make fertilizer recommendations that are in the grower’s best interest. We are
used to balancing the expense of crop nutrition with expected revenue, which accounts for current risk.

Evaluating Risk

In times like this, normal risk-takers can turn very conservative. And it is a sound practice to evaluate levels of risk. But as unexpected as this virus and all of the negativity has been, there are often surprise glimmers of opportunity. I’m sure the toilet paper industry never forecasted the demand they are experiencing! Many businesses have been affected. Virtually every aspect of the economy that generates tax revenue for local governments are going to take a serious hit. We’ve seen the Fed set a target Fed Funds rate of 0% in order to make risk-taking less costly. The potential exists for us to see significant spend packages to jump start the economy once the impact of the virus has subsided. I wouldn’t be surprised to see some quantitative easing as we did after the housing bubble burst, which is just the Fed buying back longer term securities to hold on their balance sheet and replaces those securities with cash in the economy to be spent. These actions could devalue the dollar, which then can prop up commodity prices and
make our agricultural products more affordable for countries like China. If indeed we see a bump in prices, it will likely be delayed; in other words we’ll have to wait and deal with added uncertainty in the interim. But if a producer faced with difficult decisions cuts too many corners, and then commodities rally to better levels, there won’t be the optimum production to capitalize on the opportunity.

The Path Forward

You’ve heard it before, but we are in unprecedented territory. While quantitative easing could help lower the value of the dollar, currency is still comparative. This means if other currencies don’t come up compared to the USD, then there won’t be much of a benefit. Also, demand will matter and it is difficult (impossible) to know what the consequences of most of the world hiding in their houses will do to demand for commodity products, even once recovery starts. A case can be made for a rally at some point in the future, but it’s hard to predict to what levels we could expect if it does. However, a scenario does exist that a rally could occur that is hard to imagine today. Rational thinking that can weigh the potential for an upside can be an offsetting entry for the brain to balance the thoughts that it will be a long free fall; it might not be.

Your AgroLiquid Team

Agriculture is generally counter-cyclical to the rest of the economy. Agriculture often benefits from the government
spending our way out of a recession. So, as you manage through this season, make sure that the irrational behavior
that is occurring around you doesn’t lead to a bunch of ill-advised decisions. More surprises may be lurking, but we
will emerge. Outside guidance on crop nutrition from the AgroLiquid team can help buffer emotions as the growing
season is thrust upon us. AgroLiquid can add value that extends beyond the nutrients we manufacture. Incorporate outside opinions from a variety of experts to make rational, business decisions in an environment that is loaded with emotion.

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Product Spotlight: Pro-Germinator

Angi Bunn — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 13:45:43 +0000

Pro-Germinator is our premier phosphorus fertilizer. Partnered with nitrogen, potassium, and micronutrients for maximum performance.

Pro-Germinator uses a combination of phosphate, nitrogen, potash and iron along with quick-release and slow-release phosphates that are protected by our Nutriq Technology. This combination allows for exceptional growth early on and helps plants during critical growth periods.

Product Benefits

Stimulates early growth
Provides steady source of essential nutrients
Reduced risk of leaf burn
Reduced risk of soil salinization and nutrient toxicity
Flexible application methods to reduce manpower required
Can be applied with other nutrients, pesticides, or fungicides

Pro-Germinator Use Guide

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LAND OF LIQUID: Making Good Alfalfa Better…..With AgroLiquid

Angi Bunn — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 02:51:28 +0000

So hopefully you read in the Research Report about all of the alfalfa trial work that Agronomist Dan Peterson conducted last year in Wisconsin. Yield was often improved with AgroLiquid applied alone or more often, on top of a growers dry fertilizer program or manure. Anyway, applications of Sure-K and other AgroLiquid nutrients had a tremendous effect on quality and calculated milk production (formula based on quality components). So here in Michigan we are taking a new look at alfalfa programs, working in conjunction with Dan. A couple trials are with local dairymen. Last week we made applications to fields a week after first cut and harvest. This field is right next to the NCRS Farm 12. This is an irrigated field and has had manure applied the previous two years with no additional fertilizer to be applied this year. So we have two strips of AgroLiquid, mainly Sure-K + Micros. He was able to irrigate after harvest and had nice regrowth.

There is about 4 to 5 inchees of regrowth, perfect for the foliar application that Phil is making with our Hagie sprayer.

We made a different application to a dryland field of a different dairy operation several miles away. It has been very dry of late and rain would be nice. These applications were last Thursday and no rain since, and temperatures are in the 90’s

This field is right by this nice lagoon. In fact we put our strip marker flags on the fence. Didn’t see any No Swimming signs, and it is hot…. But this grower will apply potash after next cut, and we will see what the addition of AgroLiquid brings to the yield and quality measurements.

Back at the NCRS, our test field had been cut and harvested the previous day. So after making the farmer applications, we came back and applied dry fertilizer to the appropriate plots in our test The following week, which is tomorrow, we will apply AgroLiquid treatments to the regrowth. We will get a variety of comparisons. Here intern Jacob applies dry potash and MAP to plots with our dry air spreader, or Blower as we call it. It does a great job. I mean we have to be fair in our tests.

We apply the dry components separately so as not to be stuck with left over fertilizer blends. The dry micros are spread manually. I use a hand held spinner spreader, but Zouheir prefers spreading by hand. We often have some differences in experimental technique which often leads to lively discussion.

So we compromise. He does it his way and I do it mine!

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