b'ROUNDTABLE Expert views on best management practices in potato production.The Latest Practices for the Use of Liquidand Dry FertilizersExperts review current trends and best practices to get the most out of using both forms of nutrient delivery. BY: TREENA HEINOUR EXPERTS PROPER NUTRIENT DELIVERY is critical forthe tubes of the planter. We then top up our crop maximized yield and quality in potatoes, andthroughout the growing season with foliar fertilizer producers generally use both dry and liquid formsapplications, says Maynard, adding dry summer BRYAN MAYNARD of fertilizer to accomplish this. However, what theyweather aside, this ensures we not only get the Co-owner, Farmboys farm, Richmond, P.E.I. choose to use and when depends on many factors,best bang for our buck, but also that we limit the including cropping system (irrigated or not),amount lost to leaching in the environment.ALAN BLAYLOCK what equipment they already have, availability of products and cost. Senior agronomist, Nutrien Experience is also an important part of the equation. Alan Blaylock, senior agronomist with Nutrien, notes potato growers are quiteGrowers by andSHAWN MCIVERMaritimes regional sales manager, YARAsophisticated in their crop management andlarge are not inclinedhave made personalized fertilizer applicationto make large changes MAARTEN DE VOOGD practices over many years. Growers by and large are not inclined to make large changes in timingin timing and placement Global potato business manager, YARA and placement as they dont want to introduceas they dont wantunnecessary risk, he says. On the other side of TOBY GOODROAD the coin, because potatoes are such a high-valueto introduceMarket development director for Northcrop, growers are willing to invest in new appli- unnessary risk.America, YARA cation technologies and products and try some BRADY STOVER adjustments to maximize yields and quality. ALAN BAYLOCKAnother important piece of the puzzle in Sales agronomist, Washington region, YARA making decisions about liquid and dry fertilizer use is weather. Weather patterns in our area of MURRAY VAN ZEGGELAAR the country seem to be trending towards hotter,Over the last few years, growers have been ex-Vice-president, ALPINE in New Hamburg, Ont.drier summers, notes Bryan Maynard, co-ownerperiencing regular drought conditions and warmer of Farmboys in Richmond, P.E.I By ensuring thatdaytime highs on the East Coast, Shawn McIver, we break up the applications of fertilizer to ourMaritimes regional sales manager at Yara says. crop, we have a better chance of keeping the cropThis has led to growers ensuring that they go into alive and healthy through the driest portion of thethe season with full nutrient solutions ensuring growing season. Maynard and his family use boththat they give their crop the best tools to override liquid and dry fertilizers, a dry application as adrought stress, he says. Some of these tools are pre-plant broadcast and another dry one throughthe use of calcium and foliar nutrition. In the past SUPPORTED BY:32 SPUDSMART.COM SPRING 2020'