Choosing Your Soil Fertility Strategy

Choosing Your Soil Fertility Strategy

March 17, 2026 · 27 min · Season 5 · Episode 3

About this episode

Mike Howell discusses soil fertility strategies with Dr. Bryan G. Hopkins, exploring different approaches to fertilization.

When margins are tight, every fertilizer decision carries more weight. Should you build soil test levels, apply nutrients strictly based on crop response or chase ideal soil ratios? Which is best for your soil, crops and bottom line? In this episode, Mike Howell sits down with Dr. Bryan G. Hopkins to explore the three most common approaches to fertilization and soil fertility - build and maintain, sufficiency and base saturation - and the advantages and disadvantages of each. They dig into what the research says about each approach, where each approach fits and how your strategy may change when you're farming owned land versus rented acres. Looking for the latest in crop nutrition research? Visit nutrien-ekonomics.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@NutrieneKonomics

People in this episode

Host: Mike Howell

Guest: Dr. Bryan G. Hopkins

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Organizations: Nutrien Ekonomics

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