Variable Rate Fertilizer Application

By Randy Simonson, Ph.D.
Technical Services Manager

Small grid sampling and applying fertilizer accordingly has gained in popularity over whole field composite sampling and then fertilizing the whole field.  Going to smaller grids should allow the more proper type and amount of fertilizer to be applied and thus higher yields should be produced.

This trial uses three different types of recommendations:  TSM_® E, University of IL and Tri-State.  The VRT treatments consist of making separate fertilizer recommendations for each of the five replications.  The non-VRT treatments for each recommendation type are made from averaging the soil analysis of the five reps, thus representing a whole field composite.

The results show yield increases for the VRT treatments with the TSM_® E and the University of IL recommendations, 3 and 5 bu./acre increases, respectively. However, there was no difference with the Tri-State recommendations.

Obviously, the greater the variation in the field, the greater the yield benefit should be from using VRT.

Testing Pelletized Chicken Manure

By Randy Simonson, Ph.D.
Technical Services Manager

This year we fertilized corn and soybean plots with pelletized chicken manure. This is a two-stage trial.  The first stage is to observe how the manure will increase yields on this low fertility field.  The second stage will be in a few years when the soil tests go too high from the manure applications.  We want to find the point at which the yield will start going down because the phosphorus and potassium levels are too high.  Fields with very high fertility levels are of great environmental concern, but there also is concern that production will suffer from very high phosphorus and potassium levels.  This data will allow us to make better nutrient management plans.

Below is a chart with the description of the 10 treatments used on the Pelletized Chicken Manure Plots.  The amount of chicken manure varied from 185 lbs./acre to 6.7 tons/acre, which is the maximum amount of manure allowed to provide the nitrogen for the crop.  The analysis of the manure is 60-80-60/ton, thus the amount of P and K applied in some treatments was substantial as the two tables below show.

Treatment descriptions for the Pelletized Chicken Manure Plots:

1. TSM_® E
2. TSM_® MM - half of fertilizer is manure
3. TSM_® Max - maximum amount according to nitrogen need until P>300, then only enough to satisfy P need (12000 lbs./A CR, 11000 lbs./A SY)
4. TSM_® +100 - manure according to +100 P lbs-to-balance (6400 lbs./A CR, 5000 lbs./A SY)
5. TSM_® +200 - manure according to +200 P lbs-to-balance (8900 lbs./A CR, 7500 lbs./A SY)
6. TSM_® +300 - manure according to +300 P lbs-to-balance (11400 lbs./A CR, 10000 lbs./A SY)
7. U of IL
8. I of IL MM - half of fertilizer is manure
9. Tri-State
10. Tri-State MM - half of fertilizer is manure

Let's Talk Base-Mix & Pre-Mix

By Kent Durbin, President
TSM_® Services, Inc.

As some of you already know, we have had to drop the TSM_® Pre-Mix(SS),
TSM_® Pre-Mix(SSS) and the TSM_® Pre-Mix(SS+) grades.  SIMS Ag Products of Mt. Gilead made these grades and has recently shut their doors.  It was at this time that we decided to consolidate our offerings.

Today we have two (2) products for the dry blender and one (1) product for the suspension or liquid dealer.

For the dry blend dealers:

TSM_® Base-Mix

TSM_® Pre-Mix

For the suspension or liquid dealers:

TSM_® Base-Mix(FC)

The (FC) indicates that the product is made by FRIT Industries and is a dry chelate.

For the dry blender: (suffix identifies the manufacturer)( "F" is FRIT Industries, Ozark, AL; "C" is Cameron Chemicals, Chesapeake, VA and "A" is AGRIUM, Reese, MI).  All three manufacturers make the same product.  Although, these products have the same approximate analysis, they may differ in solubility, etc. Check with the manufacturer for differences.

Having fewer products all made by three suppliers will give us more flexibility in being able to supply you on a timely basis.  Check the new Blue Pages in your TSM_® Dealer Manual for prices and quality differences.  If you need new Blue Pages, see your TSM_® Account Executive.

Puzzle of the Month: "The Birds"

Two cars are 120 miles from each other on a straight road.  They drive towards each other at 30 mph (relative to the road).

At the instant they set off, a bird leaves one car, flying towards the other at 60 mph.  When it reaches the second car it turns back to the first car, and continues flying back and forth till the cars pass each other.

When the cars pass, how far has the bird flown? (Total distance, not how far from starting point.)

Kent's Korner

By Kent Durbin, President
TSM_® Services, Inc.

We have really been busy this fall.  Yet, we find ourselves a few thousand acres behind what we had last year at this time.  Some dealers are saying that the farmer is "laid-back" on fertilizing this fall.  If this is the case, we can expect a very good spring.

Our research plots this year have really done well.  I had a farmer stop me and ask what we were doing on the research plots to make them look so good.  I told him that we used the TSM_® (Total Soil Management_®) program.  I still think he thought we had something up our sleeve we were not telling.  Is the TSM_® program too good to be true?  It certainly is the best I know of.

We are always looking for something to improve the TSM_® program.  Over the years, we have tried many products and ideas.  It seems that these products and ideas work on conventional fertility programs but we find that the TSM_® is already doing it.  The latest product that looked very promising was "TSM_® 1" a foliar fertilizer.  We are still testing this product.  This past year, we started testing the use of composted chicken manure.

Our first year's results are real promising.  We plan on coming out this winter with a new program using composted chicken manure along with the TSM_® program.  Organic compost plus Total Soil Management_® will undoubtedly be the next big thrust in soil fertility.

Because of the great success we have had with Kruger Seed, we have decided to consider developing a variety selection program.  We now have the authorization to sell Kruger Seed anywhere within our market area, watching out for existing dealers.  We will not sell over the top of an existing dealer.  If you would be interested in a variety selection program for your dealership call Randy Simonson here in the main office or email him at

Looking forward to seeing you at our Winter Conferences.  Be sure and send us your registration forms.