Fill the tank on the fertilizer applicator with liquid nitrogen and run until it’s empty. If you get within a couple gallons per acre of what you intended to apply, you figure that is good enough. If there ever was a time when this type of strategy made sense, it’s long gone. Today’s ag economy demands that you account for every penny spent on fertilizer. You need to know exactly how much you applied and where. And you need to apply it in the best possible way, so that plants get maximum benefit and have the opportunity to deliver maximum return.

This need isn’t lost on the companies that make equipment for monitoring and applying fertilizer in the field. One trend apparent at fall farm shows was that fertilizer is no longer a stepchild when it comes to an input. Companies know you must take it seriously, and they are applying precision principles and precise delivery to products they bring out related to fertilizer application.

Blu-jet has been a trusted name in liquid fertilizer application for a long time. There is a new applicator for you to take a look at from this innovative company. Capstan Ag showed a new fertilizer monitor at farm shows recently. These are just two of the products that relate to fertilizer that Farm Progress editors found at farm shows.

Other products include a machine designed specifically for applying fertilizer efficiently from Unverferth. It’s called the NutriMax fertilizer applicator. The name indicates what the company has designed this product to do in the field. There is also the anhydrous toolbar introduced for the market by Dalton DW.

Kuhn Krause steps up the game with a rugged but precise fertilizer applicator. The company showed farmers its new Gladiator 1205 model at recent shows.

These are just a few of the new models for fertilizer application. Check out the rest and use the contact information to follow up on details, including current list price.

ISOBUS control with Blu-Jet
The new Blu-Jet AT4020 fertilizer applicator is fully ISOBUS compatible. ISOBUS controls folding, injection depth and the auto shutoff for each of the boom’s five sections. Base list price is $103,000. For more information, contact Blu-Jet, Thurston Manufacturing, Thurston, Neb., at 800-658-3127 or see blu-jet.com.

Don’t apply NH₃ blindly

Never apply anhydrous ammonia blindly again. With the new N-Vision system from Capstan Ag, you will know exactly what the gas-to-liquid mixture is in the system. N-Vision will give you a low-tank supply alert. For more information, contact Capstan Ag Systems at 855-628-7722 or see capstanag.com.

NutraBoss gets under crop canopy
Get fertilizer below the crop canopy with NutraBoss, a dual fertilizer placement tool that can evenly distribute nutrients near the root zone of any row crop plant. Base list price is $750 per row. For more information, contact Fertilizer Dealer Supply, Jesup, Iowa, at 800-527-5088 or fertilizerdealer.com. Also, contact NutraBoss, Buffalo Center, Iowa, at 641-561-2800 or see nutra-boss.com.

New wireless flow sensor
Measure seed and dry fertilizer flow with J.Assy’s wireless, battery-free and maintenance-free flowmeters. They work off vibration sensors and transmit flow data to a monitor via a radio frequency. For more information, contact J.Assy, Caladas Novas, Brazil, at 55 64 3453-4713 or see assyag.com.

New liquid fertilizer applicator
A 1,400-gallon NutriMax liquid fertilizer applicator is now available from Unverferth Manufacturing Co. The 40-foot-wide toolbar folds to 30 feet for dual-width application with 22- to 36-inch row spacings. Base list price is $56,000. For additional information, contact Unverferth Manufacturing Co., Kalida, Ohio, at 419-532-3121 or see unverferth.com.

Upgraded anhydrous ammonia toolbar
Dalton Ag products has upgraded its DW series anhydrous ammonia toolbar. Models are available in working widths up to 57.5 feet. The base list price of the 19-row unit shown here is about $60,000. For more information, contact Fertilizer Dealer Supply, Jesup, Iowa, at 800-527-5088 or fertilizerdealer.com; or Dalton Products, Lenox, Iowa, at 800-342-7498 or daltonag.com.

Apply liquids with less compaction
There is a way to get less compaction with applying liquid fertilizer — dual wheels. The new Delta Edition Liquid Fertilizer Applicator from Dalton Ag Products offers a new adjustable axel design. This change allows for the use of 48-inch duals for higher clearance and less compaction. The axel can adjust to 120 inches, allowing from sidedress applications. The Delta Edition offers the same quality, just a larger 1,500-gallon narrow poly tank. It comes in a 35-, 42- or 60-foot bar. Shown here is the 42-foot one. For more information, contact Dalton Ag Products, Lenox, Iowa at 800-342-7498 or daltonag.com.

Late-season nitrogen application made easy
The new Y-Drop from 360 Yield Center makes it easier to apply nitrogen in corn later in the season, getting the nutrients where they need to be. The sprayer drop assembly is available in 20- and 30-inch row spacing. The 360 Y-Drop allows producers to apply nitrogen within 2 to 3 inches of the stalk base. With breakaway mounting brackets, the sprayer works well for late-season applications, precision nitrogen placement and variable-rate applications. For more information, go to 360yieldcenter.com.

Improving anhydrous application
The 360 Equi-Flow unit from 360 Yield Center uses Liquimatic technology to deliver better row-to-row accuracy in anhydrous application, allowing for a wider treatment window. This new technology uses a hydraulically driven centrifugal pump to keep anhydrous in a liquid state to the injectors, improving soil sealing at the injection point. In a liquid form, every row gets the same amount of ammonia, improving the overall efficiency of the application. Learn more at 360yieldcenter.com.

Anhydrous applicator offers high speed, durability
Bazooka-Farmstar just released the Titan Anhydrous and Strip Till Applicator, which is durable enough for speeds of up to 12 mph. With high-capacity flotation tires, the unit can cruise easily across the field. It is built with 6-by-4-inch and 6-by-6-inch tubing with ³/₈-inch walls for extra strength. The units fold up to a narrow travel width of only 12 feet, and they are complete with nickel-plated pins. The Titans are also compatible with various brands of units. You can learn more at bazookafarmstar.com.

High-speed fertilizer application coulter
The 10,000 Cast Magnum fertilizer coulter is designed for high-speed application. Running at 10 mph, it achieves accurate application and uniform placement. Units are available to apply anhydrous, liquid or dry fertilizer. Optional sealing wheels are available. Toolbars are typically equipped with seven to eight units, but you can buy a toolbar up to 60 feet wide. Pull-type and three-point mounted models are available. Contact Yetter Manufacturing Co., Colchester, Ill., at 800-447-5777, or visit yetterco.com.

Increased fertilizer application capacity
The new Gladiator 1205 Pull-Type fertilizer applicator from Kuhn Krause replaces a model with less carrying capacity. A beefed-up chassis allows this model to carry a 9-ton capacity tank. The 6-ton unit, the largest tank available before, is still an option. You can also opt for a 1,000-gallon liquid tank instead. The Gladiator 1205 comes in 12- and 16-row models. Contact Kuhn Krause Inc., Hutchinson, Kan., at 620-663-6161 or kuhnnorthamerica.com.

Extend nitrogen application window
A crop clearance of 34 inches give the Nitro-Gro 5000 series nitrogen applicators from J&M an edge over the most competitive pull-type applicators on size of crop they can cover. This means you should be able to use them deeper into the season. Two models, the 5010 and 5060, are available. Working widths are either 30 or 40 feet. Liquid capacities are 1,000 or 1,600 gallons. Prices had not yet been set for this model. Contact J&M Manufacturing Inc., Fort Recovery, Ohio, at 419-375-2376 or jc-inc.com.