RECOGNIZED FOR their successful, exacting fertilizer application practices, Karl Dirks, Mount Joy, Pa.., Don Villwock of Edwardsport, Ind., and Lowell King of Loma, Colo., were honored as the 12th class of Responsible Nutrient Management Practitioners at the 2020 National No-Tillage Conference in St. Louis. 

Sponsored by AgroLiquid and No-Till Farmer, below is a synopsis of each farmer’s fertilizer program.

Don Villwock, Edwardsport, Ind.

Based in Edwardsport, Ind., Don Villwock’s operation covers 3,500 acres, two-thirds of which are devoted to white corn and popcorn, with the remaining one-third in soybeans.

Typically, Villwock’s corn yields are more than 200 bushels per acre, while his county average is 185 — a difference he attributes to good stewardship and management of nutrients and topsoil.

 “As no-tillers we pay extra attention to fertility and pH levels, and soil and tissue tests are critical,” says Villwock.

Most fields get a soil test every third year. And because numerous soil types are often present in one field, soil sampling is done by type and fields are managed by zone.

Soil tests and the nutrient test results of the turkey litter Villwock applies as a source of phosphorus (P) inform prescription maps for fertilizer applications.

On fields with non-erosive flat soils, Villwock broadcasts 0-0-60 potassium (K) in the fall. If additional P is needed, which is rare, he applies 18-46-0 at the same time. On highly erodible soils, all nutrients are broadcast just ahead of planting to minimize runoff.

For corn, Villwock applies anhydrous ammonia along with…