At-Planting Crop Nutrition
Starter Fertilizer & Fertilizer Additives
The planting pass is one of the best opportunities to put nutrition, micronutrients, humic products and biological tools close to the developing root system. We help growers build starter programs that fit the crop, planter setup and fertility goals.In-Furrow Options2x2 ProgramsChelated MicronutrientsHumic ProductsBiological Additives
Start Strong
Put More Value Into the Pass You Are Already Making.
Starter fertilizer gives the crop access to nutrition during the period when the root system is still small and soil conditions can limit nutrient movement. The program can be as simple or as complete as the acre calls for.For some growers that means a conventional N-P-K starter. For others it means adding zinc, a chelated micronutrient package, humic acids, enzymes or biologicals to create a more complete at-planting program.Our approach: build the starter around the acre.Tell us what you are already applying, how the planter is set up and what you want to accomplish. We can help add the products that strengthen the planting pass without making the program harder to manage.
What Can a Starter Program Do?
Give Early Roots Better Access to the Tools They Need.
01
Early Nutrition
Place key nutrients near the developing root system so the young crop has access during cool or slow early-season conditions.02
Micronutrients
Add zinc or a broader chelated micronutrient package when the fertility plan calls for more than base N-P-K.03
Nutrient Efficiency
Humic, enzyme and biological technologies can be layered into the planting pass to support nutrient availability and root-zone activity.04
Pass Efficiency
Build more agronomic value into one trip across the field by pairing compatible products with the starter system already on the planter.
Placement Matters
In-Furrow, 2x2 and Other At-Planting Placements Each Have a Job.
Where the product is placed changes what products and rates make sense. The planter setup should be part of the fertility conversation from the beginning.In-FurrowPlaces product directly in the seed furrow. Product selection, rate and seed safety need to match the crop and label.
2x2 / Near-Row PlacementSeparates fertilizer from the seed while keeping nutrition close to the early root zone, creating room for a broader starter program.
Planter-Banded ProgramsAdditional banded placements can help fit higher-volume fertility strategies or specific planter configurations.
Featured Starter Products
Build the Planting Pass With Products That Work Together.
ENZUP ZnEnzyme + Zinc
BRANDT EnzUp Zn
An enzyme-based zinc product positioned for early-season nutrient availability, root-zone activity and zinc nutrition in planting programs.View EnzUp Zn →HUMIC PLUSModified Humic Acid
BRANDT Humic Plus
A 4-0-1 product with 10% humic acids formulated for compatibility with NPK fertilizer solutions, including common phosphate starter blends.Ask About Humic Plus →SEQUESTAR CORN MIXChelated Corn Micronutrients
BRANDT Sequestar Corn Mix
A fully chelated liquid corn micronutrient mix containing copper, manganese and zinc for starter and other fertility programs.Ask About Corn Mix →SEQUESTAR 9% ZnChelated Zinc
BRANDT Sequestar 9% Zn
A fully chelated EDTA zinc source that can be incorporated into compatible liquid starter programs when zinc is part of the fertility plan.View Sequestar 9% Zn →
HUMIC FULVIC 12%Humic + Fulvic Acids
BW Humic Fulvic 12%
A liquid humic and fulvic product commonly used around planting to complement fertilizer programs and support nutrient availability in the root zone.View Humic Fulvic 12% →BIOCAST MAXBiological Complement
Biocast MAX
A microbial product built around nutrient cycling and nutrient solubilization that can complement a broader fertility strategy when biology is part of the planting program.View Biocast MAX →Already have your base starter picked? Good. We can work around it. Tell us the analysis, placement and rate you are running and we can help choose compatible micronutrients, humics, enzymes or biological additions.
More Than N-P-K
The Planting Pass Can Carry More of the Program.
Starter fertilizer is often the backbone, but it does not have to be the entire program. The right additives can expand what that pass accomplishes without adding another field trip.- Chelated micronutrients for zinc or broader trace-element nutrition.
- Humic products designed to work alongside fertilizer solutions.
- Enzyme technology aimed at nutrient availability and root-zone activity.
- Biological products that bring nutrient-cycling organisms into the fertility program.
- Custom combinations built around your fertilizer source and planter equipment.
Build It With Better Information
Use Soil Data to Make the Starter Program More Specific.
Baseline Rx can add context around nutrient levels, availability, soil chemistry and field variability. That information can help us decide where zinc, sulfur, phosphorus, biologicals or other starter additions have the best fit.Explore Baseline Rx & AgronomyKnow the base fertilizer.Start with the analysis and rate already planned for the planter.
Know the placement.In-furrow, 2x2 and other bands change what the program can safely and practically carry.
Add the objective.Zinc, phosphorus availability, humic acids, biological support or another goal should have a clear reason for being in the tank.
Keep it manageable.Compatibility, mixing order, package size and planter logistics matter just as much as the agronomy.
Starter Fertilizer FAQs
Common Questions About At-Planting Nutrition.
What is starter fertilizer?
Starter fertilizer is nutrition applied at or near planting, often placed in-furrow, near the row or in another planter-applied band so nutrients are positioned close to developing roots.Can micronutrients be added to starter fertilizer?
Yes, many starter programs include products such as chelated zinc or crop-specific micronutrient mixes. Product compatibility, placement and label directions should guide the combination.What is the difference between in-furrow and 2x2?
In-furrow products are placed with the seed, while 2x2 or other near-row placements keep fertilizer separated from the seed but close to the developing root zone.Can humic products go with starter fertilizer?
Some humic products are specifically formulated for NPK and phosphate fertilizer compatibility. The exact product and blend should be matched to the fertilizer source and label.Can biology be part of the planting pass?
Yes. Several biological products are designed for planting or soil applications and can be integrated into a broader fertility strategy when the product and application method fit.Can EZ Custom Ag help build the entire starter package?
Yes. Bring us the crop, base fertilizer, planter placement and acreage. We can help compare product options, package sizes and combinations for the planting pass.Build Your Planting Program