Don’t Cut Fertility: As growers reflect on the season and look ahead, it can be tempting to trim input costs after a light crop year. In today’s Agronomic Minute, Dylan Rogers, Sales Account Manager for AgroLiquid, offered a clear message to permanent crop growers: don’t slash your fertility program when conditions turn challenging.
Rogers said one of the most important takeaways for growers is to stay committed to a balanced nutrition program—even after frost events, poor pollination, or disappointing crop set. “When spring rolls around and you set your crop, even if it’s a bad year… don’t cut your fertility program,” he emphasized.
It may seem logical to reduce fertilizer inputs during a lighter production year to save money. However, Rogers explained that fertility decisions made this season directly impact next year’s crop. Permanent crops such as almonds, pistachios, and other tree nuts begin determining future bud development well before the next bloom season. Cutting back too aggressively can hinder bud formation and reduce yield potential in the following year.
“You’re kicking yourself,” Rogers said, noting that short-term savings can lead to longer-term setbacks. Maintaining a consistent fertility baseline helps protect orchard health and ensures trees have the nutrients they need to build reserves for the next production cycle.
Rather than making drastic cuts, Rogers encourages growers to rely on soil and tissue data to make targeted adjustments. Fine-tuning rates based on real-time information is a smarter approach than wholesale reductions that could compromise long-term performance.
The key message: fertility is an investment, not just a seasonal expense. Staying the course—even in difficult years—helps protect next season’s yield potential and supports consistent orchard productivity over time.
For more information on building a resilient nutrition program, visit AgroLiquid.com.