Nitrogen
Two global factors could break the trend, while a focus on efficiency could bring short-term opportunities for farmers
Nebraska grower Brian Herbek says a ‘finishing pass’ can help fill corn ears all the way to their tips with kernels and pack on more starch in the process. Hear more of Herbek’s insights along with David Hula and Randy Dowdy on Breaking Barriers With R&D.
New Rabobank research shows the potential effect of losing this critical shipping channel to the global fertilizer market.
Unlike most leaf diseases, tar spot starts impacting the crop at the bottom of plants. That means fungicides you apply must penetrate and get deep into the crop canopy to provide effective treatment. If you opt to not treat the disease, consider making plans to harvest early and pre-booking some dryer gas.
Josh Linville, vice president of Fertilizer for StoneX Financial Inc., says the current fertilizer and corn price ratio is at historic levels with potash the worst in history, UAN the second worst in history, and urea ranking as the third worst.
In some cases, the sulfur deficiency can be traced back to last fall when ammonium sulfate and DAP were taken out of fertilizer programs to reduce costs. In other scenarios, the corn just isn’t getting adequate sulfur — but the problem can be corrected.
“For now, we don’t believe there’s going to be much in the effect in terms of fertilizer production from either country, though it would be a little silly to not consider it,” says Josh Linville from StoneX.
Mother Nature is throwing a lot of weather curveballs this season. Keep your eye on the ball and score big at harvest with these practical nitrogen management recommendations.
From emergence to maturity, nitrogen is a crucial nutrient for corn, but plants have different nitrogen demands at different growth stages. Consider how corn yields are influenced by nitrogen at VE, V6, V10-V12 and R5-R6.
“It’s another option to have some control over fertilizer prices, which have been extremely volatile in the past couple of years,” says Josh Linville vice president of fertilizer at StoneX.
The commission now has about 80 days to create a strategy for how the federal government should respond to the report findings, per President Trump’s original order in February.
Dust storms can occur anywhere there’s loose soil and wind. Along with Illinois, states including Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico and Texas have also experienced the problem this year.
“UAN is easily the most important topic right now,” says Josh Linville at StoneX. “That is because it is no longer a price story—it’s a ‘can you even find it supply story.’”
Learn about an Iowa plot trial that is looking at the yield boosting potential of strip cropping corn and cover crops.
Randy Hughes is continually refining his fertility program and has seen yields improve 40 bu. to 50 bu. per acre over the past six years. Hughes chats with corn yield champs David Hula and Randy Dowdy about the importance of being a lifelong student of the crop.
While macronutrients and micronutrients such as zinc, iron, and manganese contribute to high yields, yield champs say don’t overlook the importance of having soil pH in place first.
When that corn crop comes up this spring, you want it to be green and stay green. One potential issue: if you’re using urea surface-applied, work it in right away or use a urease inhibitor. Make sure the N doesn’t gas off.
Having a soil pH in the neutral to 6.8 range across corn acres can help growers get the best performance from their fertility program — achieving higher yields with better ROI.
“When applied with synthetic nitrogen, it is optimized by 50%, so in other words rates can be reduced–dramatically,” Darin Moon says. “It’s a monstrous claim. We aren’t throwing that number out lightly.”
Among the independent field agronomists’ recommendations: Address your No. 1 yield-limiting factor, employ the 5% rule and fix soil pH.
Growers are trying to figure out what caused missing plants in their corn stands last season and what solutions they can use this spring.
The introduction of N-Finity is an extension of Nutrien’s “purpose-built approach” to biologicals, and it brings three ways to improve nitrogen management in a single product and application.
“There might be ways for farmers to become more efficient with fertilizer while maintaining yield, but only by carefully analyzing each farm, field and soil management zone,” says Ken Ferrie. He shares 4 tips to cut fertilizer with confidence.
The Fertilizer Institute’s 2024 Fertilizer Industry Economic Impact Study details the contributions of the U.S. fertilizer industry to the economy and also explains the global nature of fertilizer markets.
The Illinois Ag Retail Survey has had two successful years of accumulating data, accounting for the 2022 and 2023 growing seasons. For example, entire application of fertilizer N occurring in the fall decreased to 16% (21% in 2022).
Following the nurse tank safety advisory issued earlier this year, you may find yourself needing to perform additional testing and repairs on a nurse tank. Here’s a few things to be aware of.
In addition to planting soybeans early and applying fungicide, Dan Vogel puts on the appropriate amount of nutrients for the given year, instead of trying to bank nutrients or apply a two-year spread.
ARA’s October 15 webinar will allow participants to ask questions on the topic in real time with subject matter experts at the Department of Transportation.
The crash occurred when a vehicle passed the tanker and forced it off the road, and according to an interview included in the NTSB report, that vehicle was a minivan driven by a 17-year-old Ohio girl.
Take a controlled, calibrated approach to the process, advises Ken Ferrie. That will help you build a framework for high yields next season and protect soil nutrient levels in the process.