Used to improve the efficiency of the nutrients provided to crops, enhanced efficiency fertilizers are an essential tool of modern agriculture. Designed to deliver nutrients in a more controlled, targeted way than standard fertilizers, they are able to increase the overall efficiency of the fertilizer application and reduce the loss of nutrients in the soil. By using enhanced efficiency fertilizers, landowners can reduce overall costs, improve their land, and promote sustainable agricultural practices.
Types of Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizers
While there are several different types of enhanced energy fertilizers available, they can be placed into two categories: slow or controlled-release fertilizers and stabilized fertilizers. In order to lower the amount of nutrients lost through leaching or volatilization, slow-release fertilizers release nutrients over a long period of time. Similarly, controlled-release fertilizers release nutrients at a designated rate, typically between 2-12 months. Nutrients in the fertilizer are encapsulated in a special material that supports this process. Using slow or controlled-release fertilizers helps maintain soil fertility over the long-term, reducing the amount of nutrients lost due to soil erosion and runoff.
Alternatively, stabilized fertilizers, also known as inhibitors, reduce nutrient losses by preventing fertilizer from breaking down in the soil. They do this with the help of a chemical additive that acts as protective coating for nutrients in the fertilizer. It blocks the harmful effects of various environmental elements like moisture, microorganisms, and temperature. With this coating, nutrients can remain in the soil for a longer time period than traditional fertilizers. This increases their efficiency as well as the likelihood of a successful stand.
Benefits of Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizers
Enhanced efficiency fertilizers can bring a number of benefits to your land, like higher crop yields, lower fertilizer costs, and enhanced soil health and fertility. With their ability to deliver nutrients in a specific, controlled way, the amount of nutrients lost to the environment is reduced. This allows farmers to lower the volume of fertilizer they need to use on their land, helping them save money on production and conservation costs.
Additionally, enhanced efficiency fertilizers encourage sustainable agricultural practices. Using fertilizer that minimizes nutrient loss and improves the efficiency of application boosts the health of the soil. Along with benefits to the land itself, it also decreases the negative impact of fertilizer use on the environment. This helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contamination of local waterways. By utilizing enhanced energy efficiency fertilizer, you can help safeguard healthy soil and productive farmland for future generations to come.
Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizers for CRP
With the ability to reduce overall costs, increase yields, and improve nutrient efficiency, enhanced efficiency fertilizers are a highly valuable tool in agriculture today. Aside from their clear benefits for crop production, they can also be a critical asset where fertilization is required on CRP projects. With CRP, especially for new participants, establishing a successful stand in the first few years can be a struggle. Using enhanced efficiency fertilizers can help meet CRP soil nutrient requirement and improve the chances of a successful establishment.
If you’re interested in learning more about using enhanced efficiency fertilizers in your CRP project, reach out to us at All Native Seed. Our experts can help you determine the best type of fertilizer to work for your specific needs. Along with our sister company, FDCE, we can also provide high-quality seeds, establishment services, herbicide application, documentation assistance, and more. Contact us today to find out how we can make your CRP project a success.