CANFIELD, Ohio — It seems you can never know enough about fertilizer these days.
A June 22 field day is designed to help answer questions about applying fertilizer, and after the event, participants can obtain the required state certification for anyone who applies fertilizer, other than manure, to more than 50 acres.
The event will feature speakers Lee Beers and Rory Lewandowski, Ohio State University Extension educators, who will discuss soil fertility and using fertilizer to improve crop production.
Eric Barrett, an OSU Extension educator, will train participants on fertilizer application safety and best management practices.
OSU Extension is the outreach arm of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University.
Soil health will be discussed, including reducing tillage to increase the fertility of the soil and using soil tests. A soil test can determine the amount of fertilizer already in the soil, then a grower needs to know how much the crop will require to produce the desired yield, Lewandowski said. After determining both, a grower can then know how much fertilizer needs to be spread on a field, he said.
“People may be surprised to find out that sometimes they’re overapplying fertilizer,” Lewandowski said.
Through the field day, farmers will receive research-based training to keep nutrients in the field and available to crops while reducing nutrients leaving the field.
The requirement that some fertilizer applicators become certified is in response to concern that phosphorus from farm fields is contributing to harmful algal blooms in Lake Erie. The certification must be obtained by Sept. 30.
Certified crop advisers who attend the event can receive continuing education units.
This program will be held June 22 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Terry Baird Farms, 9471 Berlin Station Road, in Canfield.
Registration is $5 per person, which covers the cost of lunch and handouts. Registration information can be found at go.osu.edu/June22FieldDay, or by calling 330-533-5538.
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Writer(s):
Alayna DeMartini
demartini.3@osu.edu
614-292-9833
Source(s):
Rory Lewandowski
lewandowski.11@osu.edu
330-264-8722