LATE HARVEST: CONSIDER MORE SPRING APPLIED NITROGEN

Lindsay Mitchell

Nov 01, 2017  |  Today's News |  Conservation

Due to a much later than average corn harvest in Illinois, 2017 might be a great time for farmers to consider more spring applied nitrogen in their management plan.

 

When farmers are finally able to get their crop out of the field due to late planting and difficult fall weather in some regions of the state, competition for fall nitrogen application could cause additional pressure.  Farmers might be better off moving some nitrogen application to the spring, providing conservation benefits as well as management efficiencies.

 

Spring nitrogen application in addition to some fall nitrogen application means that no matter what happens with rainfall or drought, not all of your nitrogen is susceptible to loss at once.  Any nitrogen that is not used by the plant is susceptible to loss to the environment, which adds to our water quality concerns in Illinois.  Nitrogen loss can also be painful for farmers with very tight margins and very expensive nitrogen bills.

 

And if that weren’t enough, science-based studies conducted by the University of Illinois, Minnesota State University and by Iowa State University shows on average a 7.9% yield increase for spring vs fall nitrogen applications. 

 

Is more spring applied nitrogen the answer for you this fall?

 

No matter your answer, make sure to consult IL Corn’s Green Means Go campaign for guidance when you’re ready to fall apply some nitrogen using N-Serve!