Manure and Nutrient Availability

Fabian Fernandez, Dan Kaiser, Paulo Pagliari and new manure specialist Melissa Wilson talk all things manure on this episode. Hear about sampling, application recs, best practices and more.

Resources from this episode:

MPC rate application guide: https://www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/wq-f6-26.pdf

UMN Extension manure management guide: http://www.extension.umn.edu/agriculture/manure-management-and-air-quality/manure-application/manure-management-in-minnesota/

For more the latest on nutrient management, follow us on facebook at facebook.com/UMNNutrientMgmt or Twitter at twitter.com/UMNNutrientMgmt

Oct. 5 Sauk Centre Hay Auction

by Dan Martens, Extension Educator, Stearns-Benton-Morrison Counties, Crop Systems Focus, 320-968-5077, marte011@umn.edu

Click on Links to my summaries from the Oct. 5, 2017 Sauk Centre Hay Auction.

1. Oct 7, 2017 Summary - All tested loads sold, groups based on hay and bale type and quality.

2. History of Selected Lots. Averages from recent years, and summer and fall sales so far.

3. Graph of Selected Alfalfa hay groups.
The 2016-17 season is the RED line.
I’m marking Summer, Sept, Oct 7 sales with a VERTICAL LINE indicating high, low, average.
I’ll start a 2017-18 new red line after the Oct 21 auction.

Harvest Note: It takes about 0.02 gallons of LPG per point of moisture removal per bushel to dry corn.

Five Tips for Getting the Most out of Fall Soil Sampling

Dan Kaiser, Soil Fertility Specialist

1. Sample at the correct depth
We calibrate soil test results to a specific sampling depth, so it's important to get this right. Immobile plant nutrients tend to accumulate near the soil surface, so shallow sample depths can inflate results. For immobile nutrients and soil pH, sample at zero to six inches. For fall nitrate, sample at zero to 24 inches.

Corn harvest, drying, storage challenging this year

Ken Hellevang, North Dakota State University Extension Service, and Dave Nicolai, UM Extension

Each year brings challenges for crop production, North Dakota State University Extension Service grain drying expert Ken Hellevang warns.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that 82 percent of the Minnesota corn crop is mature compared with a five-year average of 93 percent. As of Oct. 15, only 7 percent of the Minnesota corn crop had been harvested, compared with a 38 percent average.

Inhibitors for Fall Nitrogen Application

Jeff Vetsch, Soil Scientist

Soil temperatures are dropping and moving toward the 50 degree threshold for fall nitrogen applications. If you’re thinking about fall applications, should you use an inhibitor? Our research shows that nitrification inhibitors can protect fall nitrogen against loss and increase the amount of nitrogen present in the ammonium form the following spring, as long as best practices are followed.

UMN Extension Debuts Nutrient Management Podcast

Nora Nolden, Communications Specialist

University of Minnesota Extension's nutrient management team has a new way for you to hear the latest nutrient management research, timely news and seasonal information. Once a month, the team will share the most up-to-date trends and information on what we're seeing in fields across Minnesota.

Sept 21 Sauk Centre Hay Auction Summary

by Dan Martens, Extension Educator, Stearns-Benton-Morrison Counties, Crops Focus, 320-968-5077, marte011@umn.edu

Links are listed for summaries of Sauk Centre hay auction information for September 21.

1. Sept 21, 2017 Summary - All tested loads sold, groups based on hay and bale type and quality.

2. History of Selected Lots NOW INCLUDES AVERAGES FOR SEPT 2016 through MAY 2017, along with previous years.

3. Graph of Selected Alfalfa hay groups.

The 2016-17 season is the RED line. I'll start a new Line in October.

I’m marking Summer and September with a VERTICAL LINE indicating high, low, average.

SMALLER LOAD NUMBERS MAY NOT REPRESENT THE MARKET AS WELL. Compare to other market information. Remember your livestock and crop budgets are the key to what you pay or accept for hay.

MFA Winter Forage Workshops are being planned again for:
SE MN January 30
Central MN January 31
      If you have suggestions for topics or speakers, please let me know.
NE MN February 1

MORE HAY MARKET INFO: