Farmers Test Deep Banding Technique to Enhance Crop Efficiency

Farmers in the South Peace region are exploring a new agricultural technique known as deep banding, which promises to improve crop efficiency and reduce costs. This method involves injecting essential nutrients like phosphorus and potassium into the soil at depths of four to six inches, rather than applying them at the surface. By reducing the frequency of fertilizer applications, farmers hope to streamline their operations while maintaining soil fertility.

SARDA Ag Research has been instrumental in this initiative, collaborating closely with local producers to test the effectiveness of deep banding. The technique is particularly beneficial for no-till or reduced-tillage farming, where traditional methods of nutrient application may not be as effective.

Norm Boulet, a grain farmer involved in the trial, explained that the conventional practice typically requires farmers to apply nitrogen fertilizer in the fall to prepare for the following year’s crop. He noted, “Deep banding the nutrient speeds up seeding by reducing the amount of products we have to deal with through the drill at seeding.” By placing nutrients deeper in the soil, they become more accessible to plant roots when needed, potentially enhancing crop growth.

During the trial, Boulet’s farm deep banded 200 lbs per acre of phosphorus fertilizer, a significant increase from the usual 50 lbs per acre applied at seeding time. The aim was to ensure sufficient nutrients were available for up to four years, aligning with the farm’s crop rotation schedule. “We were not expecting a yield increase but were concerned that as the phosphorus was used up over time, we might see a yield decrease,” Boulet stated.

The trials, which began in 2021, involved a 50-acre field where the residual phosphorus was deep banded. Boulet highlighted that preliminary results showed no yield loss over the initial years, which is a promising indicator for the method’s viability.

The research also emphasizes the economic advantages of deep banding. Farmers can purchase fertilizers in the fall when prices are generally lower, potentially leading to significant savings on input costs. Boulet expressed that if this practice proves effective, it could reduce labor and handling during the busy spring planting season. “If I were to be offered a very good price on MAP in the fall and had the time to deep band the product, I would certainly consider it,” he added.

The trial focused on using monoammonium phosphate (MAP), which contains 11 percent nitrogen and 52 percent phosphorus. Boulet explained that phosphorus is not very mobile in the soil, making it crucial to apply it at a depth where it will not be disturbed by typical farming operations. “We wanted to ensure it was low enough it wouldn’t be disturbed and brought to the surface with our normal seeding or tillage operations,” he noted.

In terms of yield and grain quality, Boulet reported that the trial yielded results consistent with traditional methods. “We harvested strips on and off the treatment area and weighed the samples using the grain cart which is equipped with scales,” he said. The findings indicated that deep banding did not adversely affect yield or quality, which included measurements of protein, bushel weight, and grading.

The potential benefits of deep banding could be especially significant for farmers with smaller equipment. Boulet mentioned that those using air drills with limited compartments could find deep banding advantageous, allowing them to carry more seed or different fertilizers at planting time. This efficiency could enable them to cover more acres per day and better utilize available soil moisture.

While the trials have been promising, Boulet shared that the economic landscape for fertilizers fluctuated dramatically in the years following the trial’s establishment, making the adoption of deep banding more complex. “Unfortunately, fertilizer prices jumped drastically the year following the trial establishment and adopting it didn’t seem to make economic sense for us,” he noted.

In conclusion, the deep banding trial conducted by SARDA Ag Research represents a significant effort to modernize agricultural practices in the South Peace region. Boulet’s experience underlines the importance of research and adaptation in farming, as well as the potential of innovative practices to improve both productivity and cost-efficiency. For further information on deep banding techniques, interested parties can contact the SARDA Ag Research office at (780) 837-2900.