Manganese, Mn, is important to photosynthesis in plants and can have a dramatic impact on your yield and profitability.  In this podcast, Dr. Steve Petrie discusses how Mn availability is driven by soil pH and organic mater, how to identify and diagnose deficiencies and toxicities and how to correct it for optimum plant growth and profits

Before we identified copper as an essential nutrient, we were using it as a natural fungicide.  Copper is essential in reproductive systems in the plant.  Copper deficiencies are not wide spread, but where there is a deficiency, it is hard to visually identify.  Copper effects the reproductive growth but not vegetative growth, therefore the plant may show good healthy growth but actually have a copper deficiency. If you have pH higher than 7 and high organic content, it might be wise to experiment with some copper applications.

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If you want to learn more about Copper, please visit our web pages:

www.yara.us

www.yaracanada.ca

Our next micronutrient in the series is Iron (Fe).  Sometimes agronomy is more art than science.  Fe diagnosis and application is one nutrient where this is the case.  Fe is key in the production of chlorophyll that helps our plants grow healthy and strong.  Dr. Steve Petrie discusses how we can understand plant available iron in the soil and how to determine Fe deficiencies and how to implement Fe, via the 4 R's, in a balanced nutrition plan.  He also explains how soil Ph level is critical for plant available iron.

Boron (B) is the first micronutrient that we will be discussing over the next weeks.  It is critical to the growth and health of crops.  It can be considered a "sister" nutrient to Ca because it is a component of plant cell walls and membranes.  Dr. Steve explains that recent research has shown that B aids in Ca uptake and visa versa.

If you want to learn more about Boron please visit our web pages:

www.yara.us

www.yaracanada.ca

On our third and final ATW on calcium, we talk about physiological disorders that are common in plants and how calcium aids in reducing or eliminating these common problems.  We also discuss how adequate levels of calcium may help plants fair better when the environment and weather are trying to stress them out.

To learn more about Calcium click HERE

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Orchards can be an expensive investment.  This podcast discusses tips and practices to increase your success and long-term profitability.

Our guests Tim Roos, Roos Tree Nursery, Tom Devol, Almond Board of California, and Yara's Peter DeBoer and Devin Clarke talk about the many variables and solutions that will help you establish your new orchard and maximize your profits.

Here are some useful links that we discussed during the podcast:

UCCE Young Orchard Manual

Almond Irrigation Improvement Continuum

California Almond Sustainability Program

This is part 2 of 3 of our discussion on Calcium.  In this episode, we discuss the 4 Rs for Calcium, what are the right sources, application timings, how much to use and where to apply it.

To find out more click HERE

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Crop Manager, Markus Braaten, joins us at the end of the 2019 season to put our results in perspective.  We have come a long way over the years and are optimistic that we will continue to improve our profitable yields in the future.

There are many variables in farming, some are controllable and some are not.  Our plan at the beginning of the season needs to be flexible and changeable as the season unravels.  There are some key principles to know and follow as we dynamically shift our plans to adjust for the season.

Although Calcium is considered a secondary nutrient, Dr Steve Petrie explains that it should be one of the most important nutrients to consider.  Calcium is the 5th most common element in the earths crust and can be 2nd or 3rd most common element in plants.  Despite its abundance, we need to know how much is plant available so that the plant can take advantage of this important nutrient.

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Dr. Steve Petrie discusses the 4 R's of Potassium:

• What is the Right Sources of K
• What is the Right Rate of K
• What is the Right Timing of K application
• What is the Right Placement of K

If you have a comment, question or suggestion please click HERE.  We would love to hear from you.