Phosphorus fertilizer guidelines: Four Midwest experts talk profit, yield, soil tests & more

University of Minnesota Extension’s two-day field School for Ag Professionals is coming up July 29 and July 30, 2026. If you’re an agronomist, a retailer, dealer or consultant, if you’re a summer field scout - we encourage you to attend these small-group, hands-on sessions led in the field by experienced instructors. 12 Certified Crop Advisor CEUs credits are available! For all the details, including info on lodging, visit z.umn.edu/AgFieldSchool2026In this episode of the Nutrient Management Podcast, we’re talking about phosphorus fertilizer guidelines throughout Minnesota and the Midwest. What are current state guidelines throughout the region, and are they satisfactory? Should farmers forgo taking a soil test to measure their P levels, or should the test be prioritized? Might state phosphorus guidelines need to be revised, and if so, in what ways? What guidance or advice pertaining to phosphorus guidelines would our panelists tell growers?Guests:Daniel Kaiser, Extension nutrient management specialist (St. Paul)Antonio P. Mallarino, Professor emeritus, nutrient management, Iowa State University (Ames, IA)John Jones, Soil Fertility, plant nutrition, and nutrient management research, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, (Urbana-Champaign, Il)Dorivar Ruiz Diaz, KSU Professor, Soil fertility and nutrient management, Kansas State University (Manhattan, KS)Additional resources:Phosphorus and potassiumCorn fertilizer guidelinesWhat is the best soil test option for phosphorus?FRST Fertilizer Recommendation Support Tool launches nationwide to digitize crop nutrient managementNo P, no problem? Skipping phosphorus fertilizer application may make agronomic, economic sense (October 2022)Confused about differences in phosphorus fertilizer sources? Here are the facts.5 things to know about removal-based P and K strategies (November 2022)P and K “fixation” in the soil: What you need to know (November 2022)September 2022 podcast: P and K fertilizer guidelines: Why do they differ from state to state?---For the latest nutrient management information, subscribe to the Nutrient Management Podcast here and never miss an episode. And don't forget to subscribe to the Minnesota Crop News daily or weekly email newsletter, and to our YouTube channel. Be sure to like UMN Extension Nutrient Management on Facebook, follow us on X, and of course visit our website.If you have questions or comments, please email us at [email protected] for the Nutrient Management Podcast is provided by Minnesota's fertilizer tonnage fee through the Agricultural Fertilizer Research & Education Council (AFREC). Learn more at MNsoilfertility.com.