A proactive approach to crop nutrition and soil fertility planning
When a grower calls about yellowing leaves or stunted plants, the clock’s ticking. The crop has been under micronutrient deficiency stress for a while, and yield potential is already slipping. At that point, it’s not just about diagnosis, it’s about avoiding the problem the next time
The best ag retailers don’t just react — they lead. One of the smartest ways to do so is by making micronutrients a core part of the fertility conversation. Not only does understanding micronutrients help customers stay ahead of stress, but it also gives businesses a differentiator that delivers in the field and at the blender.
Agronomic insights, seasonal strategies and real-world retail experience can help position WOLF TRAX™ DDP™ micronutrients with confidence.
Start with data, not just deficiency symptoms
The best way to stay ahead of micronutrient deficiency is through regular soil and tissue sampling. Visual cues matter. If a yellowed leaf or pale new growth is the first clue, you’re probably already losing yield. Soil tests may show micronutrients are present, but the real question is whether they’re accessible to the plant. WOLF TRAX DDP patented technology delivers micronutrients close to the roots, improving their availability and uptake.
The visuals tell a story. For example, when a grower flags a problem mid-season in corn, here are a few things you might see if micronutrients are deficient:
- Zinc (Zn): Interveinal chlorosis on young leaves with white or yellow bands near the midrib, stunted growth and wavy margins.
- Boron (B): Brittle stalks, poor ear development, ear tipback and deformed kernels.
- Manganese (Mn): Pale green upper leaves with dark green veins and interveinal chlorosis, leading to delayed maturity.
- Iron (Fe): Yellowing between veins on new leaves with green veins and overall pale appearance.
- Copper (Cu): Wilted or rolled leaf tips, bluish-green color and poor tassel or pollen formation.
These signals can help guide action, but they also mean damage is already underway. Proactive planning, backed by solid data, is what sets you apart. When you help growers interpret test results and adjust accordingly, there’s a shift from problem-solver to strategic partner.
Harvest is the right time to plan crop nutrition
Harvest is more than a wrap-up. It is a window to prepare for what’s next. Growers are measuring success, reflecting on inputs and, whether they realize it or not, considering what the season pulled from their soil.
Framing the soil as a nutrient bank account makes it easier to initiate the conversation about replenishment. Every bushel removed is a withdrawal, and while N, P and K usually take center stage, micros are part of the picture too, especially in high-yield years.
For example, here’s what a 180-bushel corn crop typically removes:
- 0.17 lbs/acre of Zinc
- 0.05 lbs/acre of Boron
- 0.04 lbs/acre of Manganese
- 0.24 lbs/acre of Iron
- 0.02 lbs/acre of Copper
Those numbers may seem minor. However, the margin between optimal and deficient is tight. Micronutrients might be low-volume, but their impact is high-stakes.
When removal data is tied to test results, you’re not just offering a product, you’re offering a plan to protect their soil and their actual bank account. That’s what builds trust and earns repeat business.
The right micronutrient formulation drives yield and efficiency
Once you’ve helped identify a micronutrient need, the next step is to implement the solution. This is where product performance matters in the field and at the blender.
Traditional granular blends often fall short. Uneven distribution can frustrate growers and inefficient storage may slow down your team.
WOLF TRAX DDP micronutrients were built to solve those challenges:
- EvenCoat™ Technology: Uniform coating on every granule — no hot or cold spots in the field.
- High-concentration formulation: Less bulk, less freight and less warehouse strain.
- Low use rate: Easy to handle, easy to blend and simple to scale.
“When a customer hands me a soil sample and says, ‘What do I need?’ we’re able to easily put that together with a WOLF TRAX blend and get them exactly what that ground is calling for,” says Collin Berry, certified crop adviser and operations manager for Coffee Farmers Co-op.
“Once you get it in the truck, you can see a tremendous difference in application and field performance. You’re using a super low use rate, and the cost efficiency is there. You’re able to increase your yield tremendously with just a small application.”
Results like these are what keeps growers coming back.
Spring pressure? WOLF TRAX DDP takes the edge off
Spring doesn’t give you much wiggle room. Every inefficiency or bottleneck gets amplified when your whole crew is moving fast. Having the right products to meet the grower’s needs in a formulation that keeps your operation moving smoothly is vital.
Tim Lemon, agronomy operations manager for Pearl City Elevator, knows it firsthand:
“WOLF TRAX works because we’re able to increase our productivity and pass on our cost efficiencies to our growers. It blends easily with all of our dry fertilizer products and provides a uniform coating that gives us a consistent result every time.”
At Tim’s location, WOLF TRAX integrates directly into their tower blending system, metering cleanly, blending thoroughly and moving to the truck without slowing things down.
“It takes a smaller footprint, and we’re able to store an entire year’s amount in a small area. It allows us to offer more customized options like zinc, boron and Crop Mix. Since we’ve started using WOLF TRAX, we’re able to cover more acres with less product.”
For retailers like Pearl City, WOLF TRAX is more than a convenience. It’s a competitive edge.
How the team at Koch Agronomic Services stands up for WOLF TRAX DDP
When it comes to product trust, performance isn’t the only thing that matters. You have to know that your provider stands behind it. This is why the “white-glove treatment” from KAS is so important.
Partnering with KAS to provide WOLF TRAX DDP to your grower customers comes with an array of benefits designed to help you seamlessly integrate it into your systems.
- On-site equipment and training: The KAS expert team helps design, implement and calibrate the right equipment for a facility and provides hands-on training for partners’ teams.
- Operational efficiency gains: With a low-dust, high-concentration formulation, it’s easy to see immediate benefits in warehouse space, inventory management and blend quality.
- Dedicated agronomic and sales support: KAS provides the technical data and marketing resources needed to sell a premium product and answer grower questions confidently.
Move the conversation forward
Helping growers plan ahead isn’t just good agronomy. It’s smart business. When you lead conversations around crop removal, sample data and strategic nutrient planning, you don’t just sell a product. You build long-term relationships.
WOLF TRAX DDP isn’t just another input. It’s a tool to deliver reliable performance, support agronomic ROI that your growers can see, and streamline your processes.
Ready to lead the pack? Start with a soil or tissue sample. WOLF TRAX will help you take it from there.
