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By University News Release: In recent years, fertilizer costs have generally increased. In 2002, fertilizer costs were $57 per acre. From the 2002 level, fertilizer cost increased $35 per acre, reaching $90 per acre in 2007. Since 2007, fertilizer costs have been above $100 per acre. Fertilizer costs reached $124 per acre in 2008, a $34 per acre increase over 2007 costs. Costs increased another $61 per acre and reached the high of $185 per ton in 2009.

Much of the very high 2009 costs can be attributed to high fertilizer prices during the fall of 2008, the period in which much of fertilizers purchased for 2009 were purchased. From highs in 2008, prices fell steadily resulting in lower costs of $124 per acre in 2010. Fertilizer prices began increasing in 2010, resulting in higher costs in 2011 of $150 per acre. Prices have continued to rise in 2010.     AGGRAND has a better and less expensive way to fertilize.

By University News Release: In its July 7th report, the Agricultural Market Service reports fertilizer contract prices for fall delivery as $814 per ton for anhydrous ammonia, $688 per ton for Diammonium Phosphate (DAP), and $627 per ton for Potash. Using these fertilizer prices to calculate 2012 fertilizer cost grown on high productivity farmland results in $162 per acre. The $162 per ton projection is above 2010 and 2011 costs, but below 2009 costs.

The $162 per acre fertilizer cost projection for 2011 is calculated using application rates of 180 pounds per acre of anhydrous ammonia, 170 pounds of DAP, and 85 pounds for potash. These application rates are based on University of Illinois agronomic recommendations, with phosphorus and potassium applied at replacement rates. The expected yield used in calculating nutrient needs is 195 bushels per acre.

If actual costs in 2012 equal projected costs, the $162 per acre costs will be the second highest on record for central Illinois farms with high productivity farmland. Only the 2008 cost of $185 per acre exceeds the 2012 projected costs. The actual fertilizer cost of $124 in 2010 and the projected of $150 per acre for 2011 are below the projected 2012 costs.  Isn’t it nice to know that AGGRAND Natural Fertilizers has a better deal then this!

Transplanting is a stressful period for young bedding plants. Minimizing transplant shock keeps plants growing vigorously, avoiding unnecessary setbacks which can delay flowering and reduce yields.

AGGRAND Natural Fertilizer 4-3-3 should be used for watering in small transplants. Shrubs and trees can be soaked overnight in a bucket of AGGRAND 4-3-3 or 0-0-8 (Natural Kelp and Sulfate of Potash) before transplanting. Use a mixture of one ounce per gallon for soaking and 2 to 3 ounces per gallon of water for watering in transplants. The addition of 1 to 2 ounces of AGGRAND Bonemeal 0-12-0 and 1/2 to 1 ounce of AGGRAND 0-0-8 to the solution to increase phosphorus and potassium availability when watering in the transplants will aid the fertilizer in long term root development.

Avoid transplanting during the heat of the day to avoid root desiccation (drying out).

Cloudy weather is the best time to transplant.

Keep soil moist until plant root systems become well established.

For commercial applications, AGGRAND Natural Fertilizer 4-3-3 is applied to the soil at a 200:1 (water to fertilizer) ratio through a standard injection system when plants reach 2 to 3 true leaves. The ratio can be decreased to 100:1 for more demanding plant types as the growth rate increases. AGGRAND Natural Fertilizer 4-3-3 also may be diluted in a watering can to 1 to 3 ounces per gallon of water (higher rates as growth increases related to crop demands).

Soil applications: AGGRAND 4-3-3 should be applied at 10 to 14 day intervals (apply more frequently when non-soil mixes are used). Every four weeks the salts should be leached from the media by flushing the containers with fresh water. After leaching, fertilizer with 4-3-3. Additional calcium, phosphorus and potassium are needed at planting. Mix in 2 to 3 ounces of AGGRAND Natural Liquid Bonemeal 0-12-0 (NBM) and 1 to 2 ounces AGGRAND Natural Kelp and Sulfate of Potash 0-0-8 (NKP) with the 4-3-3 to provide more nutrients. Per gallon.

Foliar applications: A fine mist is applied to bedding plants for additional uptake of nutrients. Apply one to two ounces of AGGRAND 4-3-3 per gallon of water at 14 to 21 day intervals after the plants reach 3 to 4 true leaves.

Foliar Applications Per-acre mix ratio:

1 gallon AGGRAND Natural Fertilizer 4-3-3 and 30 gallons of water. Apply as a fine mist enough solution to thoroughly cover leaves. Increase spray volume as crop develops to ensure thorough coverage. Perform first application when plants are 4-6″ tall.

Repeat when plants are 18-24″ tall. Increase the application rate if leaves are chlorotic. A third application could be performed when a few tassels are just starting to show, but this application can only be applied by aircraft, a high-boy or through an irrigation system. Another option is to apply AGGRAND Natural Fertilizer when plants are 4-6″ tall, 10-12″ tall and before the crop is too tall to enter the field (18-24″). Space the applications at least 10 days apart.

Rates vary according to soil fertility, cropping history and other inputs used. Lower dilution rates are more effective than higher dilution rates. Two or three lighter applications may be more effective than one heavy application. If other constraints only allow one trip over the field, do not exceed a 4 percent dilution rate (4 gallons AGGRAND Natural Fertilizers to 96 gallons of water).

To reduce susceptibility to attack of insects and disease causing organisms, apply a per acre mixture of 1 gallon of AGGRAND Natural Fertilizer 4-3-3 and 25 gallons of water when signs of infestation become apparent.

This is less expensive then chemical fertilizers! Corn is a heavy feeder and requires large amounts of nutrients, especially nitrogen and phosphorus. Nitrogen is usually the limiting factor in corn production throughout the season while phosphorus and potassium are important during early plant growth and development when soil conditions limit uptake. Corn responds best to AGGRAND Natural Fertilizers when they are applied in banded applications at planting and as foliar applications after emergence.

Banded Applications Per acre mix ratio: 2 gallons AGGRAND Natural Fertilizer 4-3-3 and 50 gallons of water. Apply at planting. The addition of 1 gallon AGGRAND Liquid Bonemeal may be beneficial, especially when soil phosphorus levels are below 30 ppm.

Soil Applications Per Acre mix ratio: 3 gallons AGGRAND Natural Fertilizer 4-3-3 and 75-100 gallons of water. Apply in spring and fall.

To reduce susceptibility to attack of insects and disease causing organisms, apply a per acre mixture of 1 gallon of AGGRAND Natural Fertilizer 4-3-3 and 25 gallons of water when signs of infestation become apparent.

Give your plants better nutrition. Organics in general are going to help with that, but the quickest way to get your Brix values up is to foliarly apply a liquid based fertilizer containing a high concentration of kelp extract.

Kelp is a very quick and easy way to improve plant nutrition and health and has been proven to raise Brix considerably in a very short period of time. I hope that you will consider AGGRAND Natural Organic Fertilizer 4-3-3 fish/kelp and AGGRAND Organic 0-0-8 Kelp and Sulfate of Potash as integral components in your quest improve health, increase Brix values and put more money in your pocket. info from Michael Kaufman

Farmers looking at a profit standpoint, there are a number of aspects that will affect you in a positive way, if you raise the Brix value of your plants and produce.

For those fruits and vegetables that get quality rated, your produce will always receive the highest quality ratings, assuring better prices for your goods.

Your buyers will pay more for your produce because they will see that it keeps better on the shelf, allowing them to gain more profit from your items.

You will spend FAR less on insecticide and fungicide applications to control insect and disease problems. More money in your pocket.

High Brix plants generate far greater yield than low Brix plants. So, your yields will be way up and the produce will be much larger – garnering a better price.

So, the bottom line is, you’ll make more money. your expenditures will be down, and the price you’ll receive for your produce will be up. Your yields will be way up, which means more product to sell and more money in your pocket. You simply can’t lose in this scenario. info from Michael Kaufman

A inexpensive handheld device (a Brix Refractometer) that can easily measure the Brix of any fruit or vegetable that you buy. I bought mine from Amazon.com. So, get some produce from various sources with differing Brix values. Then, see how long it takes for the product to begin to rot. The higher the Brix value the longer it will take.

But, the interesting thing to note is, if you can get the Brix value high enough, the fruit will never rot. It will actually just dehydrate. The high Brix levels in the produce will keep it from rotting for so long that the water will evaporate out of the produce first. High Brix produce is worth more because it will not go bad. info from Michael Kaufman

High Brix helps there too. High brix plants simply do not contract fungus and disease problems. Just like truly healthy people don’t often get sick, healthy plants don’t really get sick either. Raise the Brix- get rid of disease and fungus problems.

High Brix fruits and vegetables don’t rot. You buy your lettuce down at your local grocery store and a few days later you almost don’t even want to eat it because it’s beginning to rot? That’s not normal. It is normal for most of the produce you’ll find at the store- and even at your farmer’s market, since many of them are still using chemical fertilizers. But, it shouldn’t be and doesn’t have to be. info from Michael Kaufman