AGH 902

1 CONFIDENTIAL. This document contains trade secret information. Disclosure, use or reproduction outside Cargill and inside Cargill, to or by those employees who do not have a need to know is prohibited except as authorized by Cargill In writing. (Copyright Cargill, Incorporated All rights reserved.) Let’s Be A Farmer Session #3 October 30, 2009

Why is Dirt Important? Seeds take water that is in soil to germinate and grow Provides plant a “home” and allows for root growth All of the plants nutrients are needed to grow are stored in the soil Which field do you think is the best to grow your crop in? 2

What Dirt is the best? 3

4 There are different levels in the ground we walk on. –Each level does something different. The top level is where the plant grows, and is where most of the nutrients are stored and available to the plant. The bottom levels tell us about the past –Previous ice ages –Dinosaurs –Glaciers –Archaeological artifacts Soil Horizons

Why do Farmers Use Fertilizer Just like us plants need “food” and “vitamins” to properly grow and be healthy Without fertilizer plants will be short and sick 5

Fertilizer There are many different forms of fertilizer –In Saskatchewan we mainly only focus on 4 types Nitrogen –helps plants grow strong and tall Phosphorus –helps the plant use the sun’s energy for photosnythesis Potassium –helps the plant move water and keep its turgor pressure Sulfur –helps keep a good balance of nutrients in the plant 6

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