Once upon a time, farmers spread fertilizer by hand. Then came the EZ-Flow drop spreader, which was especially useful for applying lime. Spinner spreaders that could apply fertilizer in broadcast fashion over the field were a big step forward. The question was accuracy. Extension specialists held meetings and demonstrations about how to calibrate a spinner spreader, but odds are few of you ever calibrated one. It was a tedious, time-consuming process.

The truth was that when someone did calibrate an old-fashioned spinner spreader, they weren’t very accurate — at least not across the entire width of spread. So along came commercial applicators, with air application systems that pushed dry fertilizer out through long booms and dropped it across the width of spread.

If you have visited farm shows recently, you know that precision technology and things like variable-rate capability have finally reached the world of dry fertilizer application. There is even one unit which can apply lime or poultry litter with variable-rate technology. The days of the spinner spreader could be numbered, especially where farmer are more concerned about getting the right rate of fertilizer on every foot of every acre. You need something more accurate than a spinner spreader, either pulled by a tractor or working as a box unit on the back of a big commercial rig, to accomplish that kind of accuracy.

What companies displayed this year at shows may be the first wave of precision fertilizer application equipment. Some of the models fit well into strip-till systems. They can also be fitted with liquid tanks. Others are specifically for applying dry products in broadcast applications. Coupled with computer-controlled monitoring in the cab, you can use the new technology to put the product you need on the spot you need it at the rate recommended based on soil-test results. Soil-test results will still be the backbone of the soil fertility program. What these new products offer is a way to more closely match what the soil test recommends with what is actually applied in specific areas of the field.

New fertilizer, seed spreader
Spread fertilizer and cover-crop seed with the new single-axle, 8-ton bulk RC800 spreader from Loftness. It has an 80- to 120-inch adjustable tread width, tall tires for a smooth ride, and dual stainless-steel spinners that can be adjusted mechanically and hydraulically to spread product in 40- to 100-foot-wide swaths. For more information, contact Loftness, Hector, Minn., at 320-848-6266 or see loftness.com.

High-clearance spreader
The RBR Vector 300 dry product spreader combines the ruggedness and capacity of a floater with the clearance and agility of a high-clearance sprayer. For more information, contact RBR Enterprise, Byhalia, Miss., at 662-851-4200 or see rbenterprise.net; or contact Heartland Ag Equipment, Ames, Iowa, at 800-779-7979 or see heartlandagequipment.com.

Variable-rate ready spreader
The new 10-ton, 333-cubic-foot-capacity dry fertilizer spreader from Mobility comes variable-rate ready. The Mobility 1000 from Dalton Ag is intended for row-crop farmers with its standard high-profile row-crop wheels, but duals are available on this, the company's largest model. The spreader has an adjustable axel up to 120 inches. It also allows for sidedress fertilizer applications. For more information, contact Dalton Ag Products, Lenox, Iowa at 800-342-7498 or see daltonag.com.

Spreader control made easy
Topcon Agriculture recently released the Athene ECU spreader control unit, with ISOBUS ECU with ISO-UT user interface designed to offer spreader control to support granular belt fertilizer spreaders. The Athene is a full-featured hydraulic belt spreader tool that allows for variable-rate application and section control for spreader start and stop, along with application-rate control proportional to the forward speed, based on hydraulic belt speed. Learn more details by going online at topconpositioning.com.

Fertilizer cart steers itself
Orthman offers a self-steering fertilizer cart designed to pull behind a toolbar such as a strip-till rig. The cart is the product of a partnership between Orthman and Salford to produce a cart with Valmar fertilizer accuracy. The cart has dual-product capability, with up to 10-ton total capacity. It can handle variable-rate application in up to four sections across the field. It’s also available with liquid fertilizer tanks. List for the model shown is about $80,000. Contact Orthman, Lexington, Neb., at 308-324-6454, or see orthman.com.

Multipurpose fertilizer cart
The Pathfinder self-steering undercarriage by Salford is an achievement in itself. Couple it with ST-application tanks and you have a state-of-the-art, high-tech fertilizer application rig that can take soil fertility management well into the future. The application unit features four metering rolls — two for each tank. The optional high-rate attachment allows you to apply at rates up to 600 pounds per acre. List price is $80,324. Control up to four sections accurately with variable-rate control. Contact Salford in the U.S. in Osceola, Iowa, at 866-442-1293, or visit salfordgroup.com.

Precision-designed from ground up
Just to make sure there was no doubt this was one of the world’s first true precision fertilizer applicators, Kuhn named it the Axent 100.1. The "100.1" signifies it’s the first version. This 335-cubic-foot-capacity unit spreads in a 120-foot swath with precision accuracy. It’s all in the design, spokesmen say. The Axent 100.1 features an integrated hydraulic system and a wide, heavy-duty conveyor belt. The rear cover opens for easy access. List price is $130,000. Contact Kuhn North America Inc. Brodhead, Wis., at 608-897-2131 or see kuhnnorthamerica.com.

Attachment spreads lime, poultry litter precisely
The Axent 100.1 precision fertilizer spreader from Kuhn isn’t just for fertilizer application. Turn it into a precision lime and poultry litter applicator with a special attachment that lists at $12,000. The spreader itself lists at $130,000. With the attachment, spokesmen say you can spread lime or poultry litter accurately up to 160 feet. The attachment makes the Axent 100.1 likely the first precision lime and poultry litter spreader made. Contact Kuhn North America Inc., Brodhead, Wis., at 608-897-2131 or see kuhnnorthamerica.com.

Steerable fertilizer cart
This 10-ton-capacity fertilizer cart from Hiniker is made to work behind a variety of implements in various situations. One of the features built into this unit is the ability to apply more than 1,000 pounds per acre running at 6 mph. It will no doubt find a place behind many strip-till applicators. The fertilizer cart is hydraulically driven. Contact Hiniker Co., Mankato, Minn., at 507-625-6621, or see hiniker.com.