If you’re a farmer in Manitoba looking to change the type of Fertilizer you use on your crops, you may be overwhelmed by the variety of fertilizers on the market. Phosphoric, Ammonium, Sulphur, Urea — the list goes on. Knowing what to look for and what to veto requires insight and some education.

Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place! Here, we will break down the best types of Manitoba farm fertilizer, setting you up for a successful growing season ahead and financial savings down the line.

First, Clean Your Storage Bins

When you’re switching fertilizers, it’s vital that you thoroughly clean your storage bins of the old product; sloppily mixing two fertilizers that have non-compatible components can cause a harmful chemical reaction. 

For example, if the fertilizer contains ammonium nitrate and it’s mixed with flammable materials, it can ignite. Contact between urea, urea blends and ammonium nitrate can result in the fertilizer onboarding moisture and turning to mush.

We don’t need to explain that letting fertilizer go to waste represents an expensive financial loss.

Different types of fertilizer should be used throughout the growing journey to protect seedlings, support crops and nurture the Soil.

Choosing a Starter Fertilizer

Starter fertilizers with a high salt content are actively damaging the soil in Manitoba at this very moment. Soil with an abnormally high level of salt works against fledgling crops by reducing their ability to uptake nutrients and water — as such, crops exhibit symptoms of drought and battle to reach maturity.

For these reasons, a low-salt starter fertilizer is a wise choice for your seedlings. It will not only reduce your input costs each year, but it will also improve crop yield while protecting your soil — a necessity during this crucial growing period.

When you’re choosing a low-salt starter, you have the choice between dry and liquid.

• Liquid Starter: Look for a liquid starter that contains 24% phosphate, 6% nitrogen and 1% sulphur. It should have a phosphate analysis of 80% Orthophosphate. Orthophosphate is immediately available to the plant regardless of the temperature — it doesn’t need warmth to activate. This is incredibly beneficial to farmers in Manitoba, where the soil can stay cool for some time.
• Dry Starter: Look for a seed row-safe dry starter with a complete package of macro and micronutrients. Often the availability of phosphates in starter fertilizers can fall below 80%. By looking for a row-safe, full nutrient package, you’re ensuring that all of these beneficial elements are available to the plant and don’t get restricted by abnormally high pH levels in the soil.

Look for a Foliar Fertilizer

This might soon be necessary for farmers in Manitoba as the Canadian government aims to reduce soil-applied fertilizers by 20% in the future. This isn’t a bad thing. Feeding crops using the foliar method can be fourteen times more effective than the soil-applied method.

A foliar fertilizer — again, with a low salt content — will actively work to protect the crop and soil by ensuring that the right balance of beneficial bacteria and fungi is present, which helps stabilize the soil.

Store Your Fertilizer Properly

Last, make sure your fertilizers are securely stored. This is especially important for farmers in Manitoba, where seasonal conditions are wide and unruly. Fertilizer hopper bins and tanks are crucial to protecting this vital asset.

To learn more about choosing the right fertilizer, connect with a local farm store staffed by agricultural experts — you’ll undoubtedly reap the rewards.

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