Stalk Nitrate Testing

Stalk Nitrate Testing

Nitrogen management

As we see corn get more yellow every day, we might want to know how we came out on nitrogen.  One way to make that estimate is to take a stalk nitrate test.  The test should be done after black layer or maturity.  I took Stalk nitrate test and also pulled soil samples for nitrogen analysis. It is possible that the tests will not match.  The soil test gives you a chance to do extra thinking about what might have gone wrong, or right.  No-Till Farmer has an article on late season nitrogen assessment.

Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy

Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy

manure Nitrogen management Nitrogen Testing Nutrient Management

Illinois is implementing a voluntary nutrient loss reduction strategy.  The strategy was developed by the Illinois Department of Agriculture, the University of Illinois, The fertilizer industry, and commodity groups active in Illinois.  The purpose of the strategy is to reduce nitrogen and phosphorous entering the hypoxia zone in the Gulf of Mexico. You can help to implement the strategy by applying phosphorous and potassium according to soil test indications.  You should consider applying nitrogen according to the Nrate calculator.  In season nitrogen tests and chlorophyll sensors are practices that might be useful to make in season corrections.

Another key to reducing nutrient loss is reducing soil loss on your farm.  High residue levels and no-till are very effective in soil loss reduction.  Sediment basins, grassed waterways, and filter strips can also be useful in keeping nutrients on the farm.  Safe manure handling is also part of the strategy.  It is time for farmers to get serious about the strategy to avoid further regulation.  A lot of environmentalists are saying it can't be done.  We all need to work together to prove them wrong.  

Nitrogen Sampling Time

Nitrogen Sampling Time

Nitrogen management Nitrogen Testing

We have been sampling for pre-sidedress nitrogen testing the last few days. This is not one of my favorite jobs, but it is the best way to find out what is going on with your nitrogen. Corn in Western Jersey County is 6 inches tall.

Soil Fertility - Nitrogen

Soil Fertility - Nitrogen

Nitrogen management

I think nitrogen management may be the topic I have written about most. In our seminar on Friday, the most covered topic was nitrogen management. Everyone wants to manage nitrogen in such a way that they maximize corn yields.  With concerns about Chesapeake Bay, Lake Erie, and Gulf Hypoxia, good nitrogen management is also needed to be environmentally sound in our practices.  In addition, many people are concerned about the nitrous oxide released into the atmosphere.

Testing for nitrogen to determine rates can be done in a number of different ways.  Our Soil Health Test can help determine how much nitrogen release to expect from the soil.  The Presidedress Nitrate Test can help determine if additional nitrogen is needed at sidedress time, or at any time you can apply.  The stalk nitrate test, done after black layer, can help determine if the crop had too much, too little, or enough nitrogen available to take the crop to maturity.  Nitrogen sensors are available if you are comfortable with them to do rescue treatments on wet soils.

Setting a base rate is also a challenge.  Emerson Nafziger made a good case for using the Nrate calculator to initially determine how much to apply.  He did present some information to show that producers can come up just a bit short with the Nrate calculator.  One way to adjust for that issue would be to go with the maximum rate on the chart instead of the average rate. I was not overly impressed with the results of using the Adapt-N program.  The bottom line is, some producers should be looking to low nitrogen rates to be more environmentally sound.  If you are still looking for ways to cut back on inputs this year, the Nrate calculator might help you make sound decisions about the economics of your nitrogen rates.

Applying Nitrogen to Winter Wheat

Applying Nitrogen to Winter Wheat

Nitrogen management Wheat

I can remember  a time when nitrogen was applied to winter wheat in February.  Researchers have found that this is not a great idea.  There is some discussion about split application in wheat.  In my mind DAP applied in the fall constitutes the first application of nitrogen.  If the DAP is applied later in the fall, cold weather will help preserve the nitrogen for spring growth.  The early boost of nitrogen can increase tillering.  It is much more efficient to apply nitrogen later in the growing season.  Nitrogen can be applied well into April, putting on the crop when it is most needed.  Pioneer Seed looks at nitrogen on wheat and refers to Illinois research.

Judge Rules that Manure is a Pollutant

Judge Rules that Manure is a Pollutant

livestock Nitrogen management

A Federal Judge has ruled that a dairy farm in Washington is polluting ground water by over application of manure.  His ruling may change how manure application is regulated.  I suspect the case will go to the Supreme Court because the judge is ruling based on an act that specifically exempts manure application when it is used as fertilizer.  The Yakima Herald Republic seems to have the most complete story.  Click on the link. 

My comment is that farmers need to be diligent in how they manage manure and fertilizer in order to be seen as good neighbors.  In Illinois at least, Farmers must prove in their CNMP that they have enough land to properly apply the manure at rates that will minimize pollution.  The ruling also cites the fact that application records are incomplete.  One of the things we stress, is to keep good records.  One of our consultants works with a manure hauler who keeps application records on rate and location by GPS.  I am not sure how the plaintiff in this case proved that all of the pollution was caused by the dairy farm.  It seems to me that it would be a difficult case. 

This case certainly goes hand in hand with the case where the City of Des Moines is suing counties upstream for excessive nitrates in the Des Moines River. 

Have a Balanced Nutrient Management Program

Have a Balanced Nutrient Management Program

Nitrogen management Nutrient Management

Everyone has seen von Liebig's law of minimums illustrated with the barrel.  Researchers have confirmed that nitrogen is less efficient when other nutrients are  lacking. No-till Farmer published the results.  It is always good to see what we preach confirmed by research.  We have seen nutrient deficiency manifest themselves in a deficiency in one nutrient when another nutrient is actually the culprit based on soil test results.  One of the ways that we are going to make nitrogen more efficient is by making sure that no nutrients are deficient.