This episode of "Cutting the Curve" focuses on the critical role of calcium in crop health and nutrient uptake. Agronomic expert Tommy Roach and farmer Kelly Garrett discuss how calcium, often misclassified and overlooked in row crop management, is essential for cell strength, nitrogen uptake, and overall yield. Despite soil containing adequate levels, calcium's availability and mobility to the plant are limited due to its double positive charge and mass flow dependency, especially under drought conditions. Garrett outlines a comprehensive multi-pass application strategy using both in-furrow and foliar methods, often up to five times per season, emphasizing the use of calcium acetate and proper nutrient pairing - such as boron - to enhance uptake. They advocate for reallocating nutrient budgets to focus on micronutrient balance, supported by real-world results from SAP and tissue testing showing increased ROI and yield improvements.

Presented by Nachurs.