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The rapid pace of planting in late April followed by rain has resulted in many fields having emerged corn before pre-emergence herbicide and nitrogen applications have been completed. Of particular concern are no-till fields where planting was completed prior to killing emerged weeds....More

Because of the unusually warm winter, may people who applied anhydrous ammonia last fall are concerned they might have lost some of their nitrogen (N), according to University of Illinois Assistant Professor of Crop Sciences Fabian Fernandez. "Nitrogen transformations and losses depend on many variables and complex interactions," says Fernandez, "including soil temperature, time of fall-N application, use of a nitrification inhibitor, rate of biological activity, drainage, amount and frequency of rain and soil type."...More

By installing small check dams within drainage ditches beside fields, research shows that growers can stop close to 30-50% of the nitrate nitrogen (N) from flowing downstream, according to Mississippi State University (MSU) studies....More

As Corn Belt farmers face challenges to reduce nitrate loss in surface and groundwater by 40-45%, Iowa State University (ISU) research confirms what many growers fear: “The right application of nitrogen (N) is [just] the first step,” says Matt Helmers, ISU associate professor, agricultural and biosystems engineering....More

Graphs presented here show monthly fertilizer prices beginning in the fall prior to planting through spring and summer. From fall 2008 though summer 2011, prices generally decreased from fall through spring. This decreasing pattern exists primarily because of the dramatic price decreases occurring in 2008-2009. Comparing price patterns across all three years does not suggest a predictable pattern between fall and spring prices....More

Livestock producers across Ohio and the Midwest were unable to apply manure this fall and early winter due to saturated field conditions. Most livestock farmers are really pressed for manure storage room. Waiting for frozen ground to apply manure is likely to be their only available option....More

  Wind + water + air = nitrogen (N) fertilizer. It’s a formula that could bring farmers a local, renewable supply of ammonia, more stable N prices and vast new markets for Midwest wind power – markets that would not depend on building costly new transmission lines....More

Manure and cover crops are a natural combination, but livestock farmers are often too busy in the fall with harvesting and manure application to worry about putting in a cover crop. Now, a new seeding technique makes it more practical for Midwest growers to reap the benefits of cover crops without an extra field pass. Slurry seeding combines liquid manure injection, low-disturbance tillage and cover-crop planting – all in one efficient operation....More

It is almost time that anhydrous ammonia (NH3) applications could begin (remember 50° F and cooling 4-in. soil temperature). However, many soils in Iowa are quite dry this fall. So, can anhydrous ammonia be applied to dry soil? Will it be held in dry soil?...More

As we move toward fall fertilization season and planning for spring 2012, the question of nitrogen (N) stabilizers comes up. Can we apply a material with our N fertilizer to protect it from loss? SDSU Extension Soils Specialist Ron Gelderman and SDSU Extension Field Specialist Mark Rosenberg offer some tips....More