Making nutrition decisions in high-cost environments

Abstract

Take home messages
• At average fertiliser costs, return on investment to nitrogen applications exceed 5:1, i.e. every dollar spent on nitrogen results in $5 of additional profit
• When N prices double, growers are still receiving $2.10 in profit for every dollar spent on nitrogen, and at triple the cost nitrogen is still expected to return $0.85 in additional profit for every dollar spent
• With higher N prices profitable N responses to winter cereals are only expected under favourable grain prices or seasonal conditions
• Soil testing and precision/variable nutrient application become more valuable as nutrition costs rise.