farmers going for broke, page-2

The earlier the start to a season and the more subsoil moisture you carry into that season, the larger your yield anticipations as a farmer and the higher the fertilizer rates you chose to run with. You must decide you phosphate rate prior to planting the crop as it is best seeded below the seeds of your crops to get ultimate plant use efficiency.
Similarly with potash this is spread 'up front' as MOP has a salt burning effect on live tissue so best to get it worked in with the seeding operation.

Nitrogen is generally applied throughout the season as either liquid or granules.

Any farmer telling you he will be cutting back his fertilizer will grow less grain and make less money. When all your other costs are fixed (and rising) you can't afford to lose yield through skimping on fertilizer.