Tuesday, November 14, 2006 - 10:00 AM
143-3

Extension Fertilizer Recommendations: beyond Agronomic Risk.

Michael Schmitt, 1420 Eckles, University of Minnesota, University of Minnesota, 277 Coffey Hall, St. Paul, MN 55108 and Gyles Randall, Univ. of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108.

University personnel provide agronomic management recommendations to many audiences.  The implementation of these recommendations, especially fertilizer N management, is often a function of the credibility these recommendations have with the end user (crop producer) or the agricultural professional serving the end user.  Previously presented data showed that N diagnostic tools were not being implemented by agricultural professionals due to factors other than the agronomic science risks associated with the tools.  Subsequent surveys of ag professionals in Minnesota have indicated that credibility of N recommendations is enhanced if additional risk factors are considered by researchers developing the recommendations.  Other risk factors such as environmental, economic, psychological, and social risks--in addition to agronomic risk--are being included in various University N management educational programs in the past several years.  Survey data indicates that ag professionals rank economic risk as the most important attribute to N recommendations yet perceive that environmental risk is the most significant attribute in current University recommendations.  The value of scientific research dealing with agronomic risk attributes can be enhanced when including other risk factors.