Griggs County Extension History Trivia

Summary of the 1946-1952 Griggs County Fertilizer Demonstration

    This study was conducted by Griggs County Agent George B. Simons as commercial fertilizer was being introduced to the area after World War II.  The crops in the trials included: Wheat (HRSW & Durum), Barley, Oats, Corn and Alfalfa.  The following are the actual results as were written in this report (Results of Fertilizer Demonstrations and Trials Griggs County).  Notice the prices of commodities and of the fertilizers used.

Wheat
    26 trials average increase is 5 EXTRA bushels per acre
    5 EXTRA bushels of wheat per acre @ $2.20*per bushel        $11.00
    **Cost of 50 lbs. per acre of average fertilizer                           $2.50 
EXTRA net income per wheat acre results of fertilizer                   $8.50
Best investment $1. for fertilizer returns on wheat are $4.40 per ac.

Barley
    19 trials average increase is 15 EXTRA bushels per acre
    15 EXTRA bushels of Barley per acre @ $1.45* per bushel    $21.75
    ** Cost of 50 lbs. per acre of average fertilizer                         $2.50
EXTRA net income per Barley acre results of fertilizer                 $19.25
Best investment $1. for fertilizer returns on barley are $8.70 per ac.

Oats
    10 trials average increase is 18.2 EXTRA bushels per acre
    18.2 EXTRA bushels of Oats per acre @ $0.70 per bushel        $12.74
    ** Cost of 50 lbs. per acre of average fertilizer                            $2.50
EXTRA net income per Oat acre results of fertilizer                        $10.24
Best investment $1. for fertilizer returns on oats are $5.00 per ac.

Corn
    28 trials average increase is 7.5 bushels EXTRA per acre
    7.5 EXTRA bushels Corn @ $1.50* per bushel                        $10.75
    ** Cost of 50 lbs. per acre of average fertilizer                           $2.50
EXTRA net income per Corn acre results of fertilizer                      $8.25
Best investment $1. for fertilizer return on corn are $4.00 per acre

Alfalfa
    2 years trials 3.1 tons EXTRA Alfalfa hay per acre
    3.1 tons Alfalfa @ $20.* per ton                                               $62.00
    Approximate cost ** of 200 lbs. 43% or 47% phosphate          $8.00 
EXTRA net income per Alfalfa acre results of fertilizer                   $54.00
Best investment $1. for fertilizer returns on alfalfa are $7.75 per ac.

*Considered an average price for commodities according to loan values or when orderly marketing is in effect.
**Considered as the approximate price of fertilizer plus some depreciation on fertilizer machinery.  For example 0-47-0 has sold for around $76-$78 per ton.  0-32-0 has sold for $80-$90 per ton.  11-48-0 has sold for $110-$115 per ton 

Wheat yield results
26 trials                No fertilizer 19.8 bu/a    With fertilizer 25.0 bu/a    Difference 5.2 bu/a
Durum varieties used were Nugget, Vernum, Carleton, Stewart and Mindum

Barley yield results
19 trials                No fertilizer ranged in the mid to high 30's   With fertilizer ranged from the low to high 50's
Varieties included W1, W, M2, M, H, H2 and K3

Corn yield results
28 trials                No fertilizer 23.8 bu/a    With fertilizer 31.3 bu/a    Difference 7.5 bu/a
Corn varieties included     Agsco 85 and 301
                                        Funks 8 RF, 40 LF, 188 RF, 187 RF
                                        Wills Hybrid K
                                        Kingscrost KF, KE2, KE3, KE7
                                        Pride D1A, PN1, PN4, B3A
                                        And the variety Corn

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North Dakota State University Extension Service Links

John Swenson
Griggs County Extension Office
P.O. Box 70
Cooperstown ND 58425
griggs@ndsuext.nodak.edu