Show Methods M applying 9 fertilizer a According to scientists at Utah State University the methods of applying appl ing fertilizer have changed to a certain extent extent extent ex ex- tent within recent years In the past most fertilizer was applied b by the farmer with his own equipment With rith the advance ad of anhydrous ammonia of oC l liquid quid phosphoric acid of oC bulk spreading spreading spreading spread spread- ing a considerable change has been brought about in the job of applying commercial Toda Today it is often orten less expensive s live sive e to have ha a commercial operator operator operator oper oper- ator who sells the fertilizer apply it than it is for a person to buy equipment for tion Large bulk spreaders attached attached at at- to trucks are arc equipped so that fertilizer can be picked up brought to the farm and spread One operator indicated he co could ld spread foot root strips JI Ho II could soon cover covel m many my acres with almost any formulation formulation formula- formula tion lion of fertilizer Anhydrous ammonia or 01 nitrogen nitrogen nitrogen nitro nitro- gen supplied in a gaseous form formis is one in which approximately all the material is applied by commercial operators The fhe firm which sells the anhydrous ammonia ammonia ammonia am am- monia is usually applied side- side dressed to sugar beets corn or appl applied ed pre plant when used with grain The cost for applying applying apply apply- ing these fertilizers is very ver sma small The trend today is to one of custom operation one of telling telling tell tell- ing a dealer how much is wanted wanted want want- ed cd and where it is to be applied This same procedure holds for liquid phosphoric acid which is isa isa isn a n very costly gas and requires requites special equipment to be handled It is possible for a commercial operator to apply this phosphoric phosphoric phosphoric acid and also simultaneously so that I both nitrogen and phosphorous can be applied to sugar beets at al the same time There are arc a number of new machines available for farmers to bu buy and many of them arc are currently in use However the cost of machinery unless it l is bought on the oasis where several several several sev sev- eral farmers go together might be prohibitive Economics arc involved in the efficient lIse use of oC fertilizer The philosophy at al has been one of fertilizing the rotation That Thatis is to apply appl fertilizer to the crops I which will respond most favorably favorably favorably favor favor- ably to that fertilizer and to align these in a sequence so that thai the residual v acts from one crop can benefit another If a crop rotation system is used where alfalfa sugar beets small grains corn or potatoes arc grown then the type of ol program which might be followed follow follow- ed is this sugar beets require more phosphorous than any ol of the other crops for this reason if sugar beets are fertilized very heavily then the corn or small grains which may follow would be adequately supplied with phosphorous No additional phosphorous need be applied until the alfalfa is planted which might be some three or four Cour years ears following At the time the alfalfa is planted phosphorous phosphor phosphor- ous can be applied to alfalfa because it also uses large amounts and the phosphorous applied with the initial planting and a subsequent application two or three years later will take care of the phosphorous needs Nitrogen tends to accumulate in the soil under alfalfa because of the relationship with nitrogen fixing nodules so that the crop that thal follows alfalfa should be a crop that has a high nitrogen requirement Con Can Consequently Consequently it is desirable to have havea a small grain or com corn crop follow Collow alfalfa in the rotation Considerable nitrogen remains in and on the soil following a crop of sugar beets As a result it is very desirable to plant a crop following allowing sugar beets that has a relatively ely high nitrogen requirement in order to take advantage of the nitrogen pre pre- sent Manure contains appreciable amounts of both phosphorous and nitrogen It is desirable to use barnyard manure on crops that are arc going to need a a con conn considerable considerable amount of nitrogen The nitrogen portion of manure I is lost when used on alfalfa Cons Consequently manure should be used either on sugar beets I which require nitrogen or with small grains or orr corn Not only will the nitrogen be used but is also placed in the soil When a crop requiring large amounts of phosphorous comes about in the rotation it itis itis itis is readily available |