Fall Fertilizer Application Placement
Harvest marks the end of the crop cycle but not the farming year. Fall fertilizer applications, especially nitrogen, help streamline spring operations. Proper placement and depth reduce environmental loss, enhance plant uptake, and improve ROI—ensuring efficient resource use and seed safety.
The completion of harvest on the farm, while marking the end of the crop cycle, does not signal the end of the farming year. Preparations for the following season begin shortly after, with field activity continuing until freeze-up. For many growers, applying fertilizer in the fall helps save time and streamline logistics during the busy spring seeding season. Nitrogen is the most commonly applied nutrient in the fall, as it is typically required in the highest volume.
A key decision in nitrogen fertilizer application is whether to broadcast or band it into the soil. Broadcasting granular nitrogen is logistically efficient, allowing many acres to be covered quickly. However, leaving granules on the soil surface poses a substantial risk of nitrogen loss to the atmosphere and spring runoff—even with stabilizers. Incorporating fertilizer into the soil through tillage is a common solution to reduce these losses. This method, however, randomizes the depth placement of granules. Ideally, nitrogen should be placed consistently across the field at a depth aligned with the anticipated seeding depth in spring. To ensure seed safety, adequate separation between fertilizer and seed depth is necessary, with the ideal distance depending on soil type, expected moisture levels, and seed sensitivity to fertilizer.
Delivering nitrogen at a consistent depth while easing spring logistics allows for maximum plant uptake, reduced environmental losses, and improved return on investment for the farm. To fully capitalize on fall fertilizer applications and ensure seed safety, growers must prioritize equipment that delivers precision. The depth consistency of the Seed Hawk Air Seeders and the metering accuracy of the Precision Delivery Air Carts are essential tools for achieving uniform nutrient placement, minimizing risk, and maximizing return on investment.
The Seed Hawk concept was developed in 1991, driven by the need to create a piece of equipment that not yet existed in the market. Väderstad's Seed Hawk Air Seeders and Precision Delivery Air Carts have helped farmers in Canada and Australia seed around 13.7 million acres of barley, canola, wheat, peas, oats, and rye, along with liquid fertilizer, dry fertilizer, inoculant, and NH3. This achievement highlights our commitment to working alongside farmers and enhancing your productivity.
Väderstad Seed Hawk Air Seeders and Precision Delivery Air Carts Model Year 2026 are now available for purchase. Talk to your local dealer today.
