Yara's Crop Nutrition podcast Yara

In this episode of the Yara Crop Nutrition Podcast is a little different.  We talk with Taylor Chalstrom, the dynamic managing editor of My Ag Life and host of the My Ag Life podcast.  My Ag Life is a cornerstone resource dedicated to enriching the agricultural community in the Western United States with cutting-edge information. We talk about crucial topics such as soil health, the emerging role of biostimulants, advancements in agricultural technology, the intricacies of integrated pest management, and the criticality of effective water management. 
Links and Resources:
My Ag Life Podcast Yara Crop Nutrition Podcast Subscribe Link Connect with Us:
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Dr. Jim Camberado discusses nitrogen use efficiency in crop production. Dr. Camberado shares his experience working with crops such as corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, and the challenges in executing nitrogen use efficiency. He emphasizes the importance of nitrogen use efficiency due to the dynamic nature of nitrogen in the soil and its impact on crop productivity. Dr. Camberado also addresses misconceptions about nitrogen use efficiency and provides insights into optimizing nitrogen application during uncertain pricing.  



 Dr. Camberado's achievements include significant awards from the American Society of Agronomy and impactful roles at both Purdue and Clemson University.
Dr. Camberato's work focuses on developing and disseminating nutrient use recommendations to enhance agricultural productivity. As a member of leading societies like the Soil Science Society of America, his expertise is invaluable to the farming community. Join us as we delve into the intricacies of nitrogen management with an expert in the field.
Useful Links:
Perdue University's Soil Fertility site Some of Dr. Camberado's publications

What does it take to grow the perfect grape? Find out in today’s episode with Stan Grant, a vineyard specialist with decades of experience in the grape-growing industry. We discuss Stan's journey into grape growing, the biggest issue in grape nutrition, balancing yield and quality, changes in grape growing practices, creating a crop nutrition plan, differentiating grape varieties for wine, table grapes, and raisins, the challenges and future of the grape industry, and Stan's publications and speaking engagements.
 
Takeaways Grapevines require a balanced approach to nutrition and stress management to achieve high-quality yields. Mechanization and precision fertigation have revolutionized grape growing practices, allowing for more efficient use of resources. Different grape varieties are cultivated for wine, table grapes, and raisins, each with specific production goals and management practices. The grape industry faces challenges such as labor shortages, water availability, and disease management, but innovation and efficiency can help overcome these obstacles. Stan Grant's expertise and contributions to the grape industry have been instrumental in raising the level of knowledge and improving practices. Useful Links that we mentioned
Lodi Growers Idaho Wine Commission

In recent years, we have seen a rise in soil acidification.  Today's episode discusses the causes, signs, and effects of soil acidification, as well as strategies for mitigation, adaptation, and prevention (MAP). Joining Yara's Dr. Rob Mikkelsen is Dr. Clain Jones, renowned Montana State University Extension soil fertility specialist and Dr. Manbir Rakkar, Assistant Professor at Ohio State University who help us understand the significance of soil pH changes.
 
Soil acidification can be caused by natural factors such as high rainfall and unbuffered rock, as well as human activities like nitrogen fertilizer application. Signs of soil acidification include stunted plant growth, nutrient deficiencies, herbicide damage, and increased fungal disease occurrence. Regular soil testing is crucial for monitoring soil pH and detecting acidification. Alternative methods for soil pH testing, such as pH sticks and remote sensing technology, can also be used. Preventing soil acidification can involve improving nitrogen use efficiency and incorporating legume crops or perennials into cropping systems. Mitigation strategies include applying lime and changing crop rotation. It is important to manage soil acidification to maintain soil and plant health and prevent long-term yield losses. Variable rate lime application and site-specific monitoring of pH can help optimize lime usage. 
 
Check out the video, "Acidification of Cropland Soil: Impact, Causes, and Solutions" that Dr. Jones created that helps explain the soil acidification issue.
Read the article, "The Implication of Soil Acidity and Management Options for Sustainable Crop Production in Africa"

This episode explores the history, development, and sustainability of the potash industry. We are joined by Dr. Davide Ciceri, who currently leads innovative R&D at AgroPlantae, Inc. and Yara’s Director of Agronomy, Dr. Rob Mikkelsen.
We begin with the origins of potash, which can be traced back to ancient methods of extracting potassium compounds from wood ashes. The conversation then delves into the development of the potash fertilizer industry, highlighting the work of chemist von Liebig and the commercial mining of potash in Germany. The different methods of potash mining, including underground mining and solution mining, are discussed. The conversation also explores the sustainability of potash resources and the potential for alternative sources of potassium. The importance of considering the right source of potassium for specific crops and soil conditions is emphasized. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the historical significance of potash and the ongoing research and development in the industry.
Dr. Ciceri wrote an insightful article, “Historical and Technical Developments of Potassium Resources.”
Here are the links to our other episodes on the history of fertilizers:
- The Alchemy of Air with Author Thomas Hager
- The History and Future of Phosphorus for Plants
- An Unsung Hero: Norman Borlaug
Here is a beautiful photo of the potash evaporation ponds near Moab, Utah
 

 

In this episode, the hosts discuss the benefits and challenges of using liquid fertilizers. Dr. Karl Wyant, Director of Agronomy at Nutrien, and Dr. Rob Mikkelsen, Director of Agronomy at Yara, explain how liquid fertilizers offer more flexibility in creating customized nutrient formulations tailored to specific crop needs. They emphasize the importance of understanding compatibility and safety when blending and handling liquid fertilizers. We discuss the concept of suspension and solution fertilizers and discuss the differences between them. Highlighed is the significance of pre-planning, jar testing, and using resources like compatibility tables and Yara's Tankmix to avoid mixing issues. They provide insights on storing and maintaining liquid fertilizers and discuss future innovations in the field.
Takeaways
Liquid fertilizers offer flexibility in creating customized nutrient formulations for specific crops. Understanding compatibility and safety is crucial when blending and handling liquid fertilizers. Jar testing is an important tool to predict compatibility and avoid mixing issues. Proper storage and maintenance of liquid fertilizers are essential to ensure their effectiveness. Links:
Karl's recent article in Fertilizer International Magazine, "Liquid Fertilizers - Compatibility and Safety" Karl mentioned the Fluid Fertilizer Foundation as a resource Yara's Tankmix to avoid mixing issues Chapters
00:00 Introduction to liquid fertilizers
04:30 Challenges of liquid fertilizer mixing
06:44 Difference between suspension and solution fertilizers
10:23 Importance of knowing suspension and solution fertilizers
12:13 The importance of jar testing
18:36 Storage and maintenance of liquid fertilizers
21:37 Storing liquid fertilizers over the winter
23:40 Maintenance and cleaning of fertilizer tanks
26:38 Future innovations in liquid fertilizers
31:41 Conclusion and holiday wishes