Maximizing Crop Yields With Wako Fertilizer Knives

In a study of 437 Kansas Farm Management Association (KFMA) farms, a farm's average net income is only $127,473. So, you aren't alone if you want to increase your margins.

Improving your profits requires decreasing your operating costs. One way to do just that is to upgrade from injectors to Wako fertilizer knives. Wako is the largest fertilizer knife manufacturer in the United States.

What are fertilizer knives, how do they compare to injectors, and why will they help improve your farm's profits? We explore the answers to these questions in this guide. Read on to learn more.

What Are Fertilizer Knives?

Fertilizer knives are alternatives to injectors used in the placement method of fertilization. They deliver fertilizers deep into the soil at speeds of 5-6 miles per hour (mph).

Often, farmers will use knives as an alternative to point and coulter injectors, but they can also be used in tandem with coulters. Next, learn about the differences and similarities between these fertilizer applicators.

Fertilizer Knives vs. Point Injectors

Point injectors are good for liquid and other water-soluble fertilizers in single-point applications. They are the most tried-and-true fertilizer applicators, especially for no-till application.

Fertilizer knives and point injectors are not typically used together. It is more common to see set-ups with coulters and injector nozzles (more on coulters in a moment).

The downside to point injectors is that they can make quite a mess, especially on windy days. Knives eliminate fertilizer spray all over your tractor and work better for certain types of soil (e.g., rockier soil).

Fertilizer Knives vs. Coulter Injectors

Compared to fertilizer knives, single-disc coulter injectors work at shallower depths (3-5 inches deep) and at a higher speed (10-12 mph). Plus, they displace less soil, allowing for optimal moisture retention.

Fertilizer knives and coulter injectors both work year-round for anhydrous, granular, and liquid formulas and manure. Many farmers use a combination of knives and coulters because they offer the best placement.

However, fertilizer knives are better for a wider range of field conditions. They are better at sealing anhydrous fertilizers into the ground, preventing dilution and runoff that can be costly and increase compliance risks.

The Advantages of Fertilizer Knives for Crops

Most farmers prefer knives for fertilizer application, and it's not just because they're mess-free. These products inject fertilizer directly into the ground to reduce dilution and runoff, allow for immediate fertilization, and, as a result, produce higher crop yields with less product.

Prevent Dilution

Knives inject fertilizer deep into the soil, making them ideal for rainy climates. Rain can reduce the amount of fertilizer that reaches the roots of your crops by diluting the product.

Injecting fertilizer directly into the ground reverses this effect. That way, you won't have to worry about re-fertilizing crops after a storm.

Immediate Availability

Spraying fertilizer on topsoil or leaves can be beneficial for some plants. But others need nutrients to be available to their seeds and roots. Plus, injecting liquid fertilizer into the ground reduces evaporation on hot days.

Knives ensure fertilizers are available almost immediately. You won't have to wait for the product to penetrate the soil.

Reduce Runoff

The Federal government and the state you live in have specific regulations surrounding fertilizer runoff to protect water quality. These regulations include application restrictions, which fertilizer knives can comply with.

Knives inject fertilizers deep into the soil. They can be particularly useful for reducing runoff on sloped farms.

High Yields

All of the above benefits result in better availability of fertilizers and, ultimately, higher crop yields.

Additionally, fertilizer knives offer the benefit of creating the perfect conditions to germinate seeds. They are no-till applicators, meaning they will not turn over the soil surface while still breaking the compacting layer effectively.

Less Fertilizer

The easiest way to convince stakeholders to invest in fertilizer knives is to tell them about the cost savings.

Knives can save you on fertilizer costs, which are around $156.92 per acre in 2024. They reduce product loss to evaporation, rain, and runoff. Plus, fertilizer knives will increase your profits by boosting crop yields with less product.

Types of Wako Fertilizer Knives

Any fertilizer knives can offer the above benefits, but Wako takes these advantages to a whole new level. Wako fertilizer knives are among the highest-quality on the market and have been around for nearly six decades.

Wako knives consist of superior grade 5160 Springsteel, are heat treated, and feature chrome inserts on the edges and tube protectors for maximum durability. Despite all these benefits, they're also highly affordable.

The company offers four categories of fertilizer knives: universal, big country, chisel plow, and field cultivator knives. Learn about the applications for each of them below.

Universal Knives

Universal fertilizer knives are designed to function with a range of fertilizers and soil types. They work with Wako's farm equipment, but they can also be retrofitted to non-Wako machines.

Big Country Knives

Big country fertilizer knives are aggressive enough to handle all soil types. They are designed to work with Wako's Big Country line of farm equipment, which works in various soil and weather conditions.

Chisel Plow Knives

Wako's chisel plow knives are ideal for deep tillage. They will effectively loosen and aerate the soil, reduce compaction, and ensure your fertilizers can reach the roots of your crops.

Field Cultivator Knives

Field cultivator knives are what you need for prepping seedbeds. They can stand up to even the rockiest of soils without breaking down, so you don't have to worry about replacing them any time soon.

Barndoor Ag Fertilizer Knives

If you are searching for an easy way to increase margins at your farm, fertilizer knives can help. These products can reduce fertilizer dilution and runoff, enhance crop yields, lower operating costs, and deliver nutrients to your crops faster and more efficiently than ever before.

Are you searching for Wako fertilizer knives to improve your crop yield and farm profits? Barndoor Ag makes it easy to find everything your farm needs in one convenient place.

Select a Wako product and click compare to see the difference between this 60-year-old company and its closest competitors.