Getting The Most From Your Starter Fertilizer Investment

Denver, CO (March 27, 2025) —As planters get ready to roll, it’s a good time to make sure your starter fertilizer program is primed to deliver what your crop and bottom line require. 

Balanced starter fertilizers are an important tool to help accelerate germination, support uniform emergence and enhance root development for increased plant vigor and improved stress tolerance. They are especially helpful when planting in cold, wet field conditions. 

“The main thing we're trying to do with starter fertilizer is get that seed off to a quick, even start,” says Jason Perdue, Wilbur-Ellis branded technologies territory manager in York, Nebraska. “One way to do that is by using a low-salt starter and adding micronutrients or other biologicals based on soil conditions and needs.”

Here are three ways to gain the most return from your starter fertilizer investment.

1. Avoid seedling harm Planting conditions matter. Keep in mind soil moisture influences the impact seed-placed fertilizer has on seeds and seedlings. Dry conditions at planting, with limited subsequent rainfall, can increase the potential for seedling damage.

“When we think of a starter fertilizer plan, we want to have a very seed-safe, low-salt, high-orthophosphate starter, and then we can build from there,” suggests Perdue. “The caution is always to ensure that what you use is safe for the seed. We don't want to hurt germination. We want to help the plant.” 

Fast-growing young plants generally are more resistant to insect and disease attacks and can compete with weeds more effectively. Readily available nutrients near young plants help ensure rapid early growth and the formation of large leaves, which are necessary for photosynthesis, subsequent and earlier crop maturity.[1] 

2. Precise placement is essential Placement is important because most starter fertilizers contain phosphorus, which promotes germination and root development but does not move in the soil. As a result, placing it next to the seed is critical, whether it be under conventional tillage, no-till or irrigation. 

“Placement is the strongest recommendation I can make about starter fertilizer,” says Brian Jeske, Wilbur-Ellis senior field agronomist in Fairfield, Washington. “Starter fertilizer placement is one of the most important factors and helps give you the best chance to return your ROI when you band it with the seed, whatever seed that may be.” 

It matters where starter fertilizer is placed because it provides a readily available supply of plant nutrients in a position where they are easily accessible to the limited root system of a seedling. Even though a soil may have high fertility, a seedling's root system may not be able to obtain the necessary nutrients due to lack of size and density within the soil.[1] 

“Getting seed to germinate and creating great root development are the key building blocks for a crop,” Jeske says. “Once you have great root development, they can spread throughout the soil and obtain the rest of the nutrients we apply.” 

3. Know your soil and crop needs
Building a good starter fertilizer program begins with knowing your soils and crops. Every soil type is different and each crop has different nutrient requirements. It’s essential to understand field fertility, so keep soil test results and crop needs in mind as you plan your program. 

“Some crops require more starter fertilizer than others,” adds Jeske. “Cereal grains might take a little bit less than a corn crop or a vegetable crop or even a tree fruit crop. Be agronomically smart – the one thing you don't want to do is apply too much when it is not necessary, especially in times like these when commodity prices are tight.”

While it’s essential to plan your overall field fertility program with yield goals in mind, starter programs require a slightly different mindset. 

“Oftentimes, if you're trying to grow 125-bushel corn or 300-bushel corn, a solid starter program may look very similar,” says Perdue. “Following the starter program, you can change macronutrients, overall nitrogen and phosphorous, and adjust those to meet yield goals. Every plant will want to get off to the best start possible and then you can focus your attention on your end goals. The first few weeks after planting is where we see the biggest returns on starter programs.”

Contact your local Wilbur-Ellis agronomist for help with starter fertilizer decisions or learn more here.

About the Wilbur-Ellis Companies

Founded in 1921, the Wilbur-Ellis companies are leading marketers, distributors and manufacturers of agricultural products and animal nutrients. By developing strong relationships, making strategic market investments, and capitalizing on new opportunities, the Wilbur-Ellis companies have continued to grow the business with sales of over $3.5 billion. For more information, please visit www.wilburellis.com. Wilbur-Ellis Agriculture, with annual sales revenue of $2.5 billion, has over 140 retail locations throughout the U.S. ©2025 WILBUR-ELLIS Company LLC. WILBUR-ELLIS logo and The Power of We are registered trademarks of Wilbur-Ellis Company LLC. For information only. Not a label. Prior to use, always read and follow product label directions.

[1] Beegle DB, Roth GW, Ligenfelter D. Penn State University. 1997. Starter fertilizer. Available at: https://extension.psu.edu/starter-fertilizer.