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Minnesota Crop News > 2001-2008 Archives

It's that time of year again. As spring planting nears, the Minnesota crop producer is the target of sales claims for many products. Some have been shown to have a positive effect on crop production. Others are questionable. The challenge is to separate those that are beneficial from those that have no value.

These are some comments that should "trigger" caution in the mind of the producer. These "triggers" might also be thought of as "red flags." Potential buyers should be cautious if:

• a product is advertised that it will supply all micronutrients needed for crop production; you will not get top yields unless you use this product if you believe the sales claims.
• the product contains some growth promoting substance extracted from seaweed, or dead fish.
• the product will stimulate root growth; growth that you can't see.
• the product will create a "balance" of nutrients in soils. This is only important if you believe that "balance" is important.
• using the product allows for using lower rates of fertilizer and herbicides.
• the product is so new that Universities and County Extension offices do not know about it.

If approached to buy a non-traditional or non-conventional product, the Minnesota grower is advised to use common sense. It's always best to ask questions. The local consultants, fertilizer dealers, and Extension offices are good sources of information. Over the years, many producers have lost considerable amounts of money because they didn't ask questions before they wrote the check.