Unlocking The Full Value Of Crop Residues

A selective focus shot of crop residues in a field.

Crop residues are gaining increased recognition for their nutrient content and soil health benefits. In this article from the September/October 2023 issue of Fertilizer International, Dr. Karl Wyant, Nutrien Director of Agronomy, highlights how growers can effectively manage crop residues to unlock the most value and avoid potential downsides.

Improper residue management can lead to yield penalties, hinder soil warming, harbor pests, and disrupt farming operations. Traditional approaches include burning, tillage, baling, and grazing, each with its pros and cons. However, these practices face drawbacks due to evolving trends favoring soil health improvement such as no-till, reduced tillage, cover cropping, and conservation efforts that prohibit burning.

Due to their vital role, the following residue management strategies have been proposed to optimize microbial populations to ensure they continue to be active in the soil after harvest:

Adding living bacteria and fungi to crop residue to raise the decomposition rate.
Adding enzymes to crop residue to drive residue breakdown.
Using microbial foods to feed the bacteria and fungi that are already in the soil and residues.

These innovations may increase costs but can unlock the nutrient value in residues.

Crop residue management remains a priority as growers seek to recycle nutrients for future seasons. As traditional practices are phased out or replaced by conservation methods, the role of ag retailers becomes pivotal in helping growers realize the post-harvest potential of their crop. Growers should look to ag retailers and product suppliers for guidance on utilizing these new technologies effectively.

To read the full article login to the September/October issue of Fertilizer International.