When do you decide it's time for a different fertilizer?

[ACX98805670]

This is my first year trying to figure out fertilizer for the spring. When you have made the decision to switch to a different fertilizer brand or type, what has been the main factor? There seems to be so much information and conflicting personal stories too. I have one guy say he wouldn't farm with brand A and go down the street to find another who lives and dies by brand B. Should I go by price? How do I measure the results that are directly related to the fertilizer? One guy will say a pound of nutrients is a pound of nutrients but another will insist a certain nutrient is more available. 

[BA Deere]

First thing get a soil test, you can`t manage it if you don`t measure it.  The pH of the soil will determine if you go with Dap or Map phosphate if needed.  If you have sand you might want to "feed the crop" instead of "feed the soil"  as light soils don`t hold nutrients as well as heavy soil. 

Some claim putting 10 gallon of low salt liquid on the seed furrow is "all you need" I personally don`t buy it, but to each their own.  My philosophy is "soil is the plant`s stomach" feed the soil and that`ll take care of the plant, unless you farm sand. 

[JimMeade]

Go to your land grant university extension office and ask them.  They won't recommend a company but they will help you learn what products are considered beneficial.

What reason would you have to believe anyone selling you fertilizer is out for your own best interest?  I consider them in the same boat as used car salesmen.

[emily5565065]

Finding the right fertilizer has been a huge process of trial and error! Different crops require different compounds, so I use a wide variety of fertilizers across my farm. I tried organic-based fertilizers for a while, but my yield suffered considerably. I don't have a large farm, but fertilizer is vital to keeping my small crops thriving! I don't wait around when I see signs of poor growth. It's important to be as proactive as possible and change your fertilizer as soon as you suspect something's not right.