It's no secret that fertilizer prices have sky-rocketed recently. With increasing prices, it's important to use every tool available to ensure the proper amount of fertilizer is purchased and applied if any is needed at all. Soil testing, using available nutrients, and managing soil and forage to prevent nutrient loss are all options to consider.

Soil testing prevents over-application of fertilizer, and subsequent waste by applying only what is necessary and can be used by plants. Soil tests are free to submit to the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Agronomic Lab through the end of November, so that is something to take advantage of.

For more information on how to decrease fertilizer use, review this summary of Dr. John Grove's, Professor of Agronomy/Plant and Soil Sciences at University of Kentucky, advice.