Minnesota Crop News

This month on the Nutrient Management Podcast , we talk about a recent increase in N rate recommendations for corn. Why have these suggested nitrogen rates for corn increased over time? How are regional differences across Minnesota factored into this increase? Why does the Maximum Return to Nitrogen (MRTN) method of N rate calculation bring economics into the mix? Why should growers focus on profit instead of yield? Won't a higher nitrogen rate make our SE Minnesota water issues worse? Our panelists answer these important questions - and many more - on today's show. Read the full transcript Guests: Jeff Vetsch, U of M researcher (Waseca) Daniel Kaiser, Extension nutrient management specialist (St. Paul) Brad Carlson, Extension educator (Mankato) Additional Resources: www.cornnratecalc.org  (N Rate Calculator) Updated corn nitrogen rates: What are we currently seeing for N fertilizer requirements in Minnesota? An introduction to MRTN: Efficiencies & economics in mind 20...

By Sally Raymond, Extension Educator and Program Manager, Pesticide Safety and Environmental Education Do you still need to recertify for your commercial/noncommercial pesticide applicator’s license this year? Check out these options from UMN Extension PSEE. Click here to register for an A/C/H workshop or go to PSEE’s webpage to see all options and workshop agendas. The following programs will get you recertification in categories A/C, A/H, or A/C/H: November 6 - The Park Event Center, Waite Park, MN November 14 - UMN Crookston Campus, Crookston, MN November 18 - Syngenta Seedcare Institute, Dennison/Stanton, MN** November 20 - The Bigwood Event Center, Fergus Falls, MN December 2 & 3 - Hilton Minneapolis, CPM Short Course & MCPR Trade Show , Minneapolis, MN **must be licensed in category H (seed treatment) to attend, A/H and A/C/H available If you have Category J (Rights of Way, Natural Areas, Forestry) on your license, need to recertify this year, and have attended or will...

By: Brad Carlson, Extension educator The University of Minnesota uses the Maximum Return to Nitrogen (MRTN) method for helping corn growers pick a nitrogen fertilizer rate. This method uses a database of results from many research trials around the state and then factors in the price of corn and the price of nitrogen fertilizer to find the most profitable nitrogen fertilizer rate for Minnesota corn growers. Understanding the “price ratio” is key. The price ratio is the price of nitrogen fertilizer per pound to the value of a bushel of corn.  For example, if N fertilizer costs $0.40 per lb. of N (or $656 per ton of anhydrous ammonia), and corn is valued at $4.00 per bushel, the ratio would be 0.40/4.00 = 0.10. Historically, the price ratio has hovered around 0.10 but in recent years high nitrogen fertilizer prices have resulted in higher price ratios. What is the price ratio looking like heading into 2026? The University of Minnesota’s corn fertilizer guidelines ( z.umn.edu/cornfert...

Photo credit: Isabella Portner By: Gabi Bolwerk, University of Minnesota Extension Educator, and Laura Paine, University of Wisconsin Extension Grazing Outreach Coordinator As farmers consider adopting soil health practices, it’s important to understand the implications for their operations. By exploring the impacts these management changes have on different aspects of their system, farmers can make the most informed decisions for their businesses and families. Cover crops and reduced tillage are some of the most widely adopted soil health practices. One management technique that often gets overlooked is crop and livestock integration. Crop and livestock integration is a management approach in which livestock are part of an annual cropping system. The cropland provides feed for the livestock, and the livestock provide nutrients to the cropland. Common crop and livestock integration practices include: Grazing cover crops Grazing crop residues Grazing annual or perennial forages Bale gr...

Earlier this month, significant updates to the Midwest Cover Crops Council’s cover crop selector tool for Minnesota were published. A group of Minnesota researchers, agency staff, seed dealers, and farmers came together with Midwest Cover Crops Council staff to discuss and update Minnesota data in the cover crop selector tool. This revision reflects research and experience gained since the last update to Minnesota’s data in 2019. Some of the changes you will see in the tool include: Recommended seeding dates have been adjusted to reflect the most recent 30-year climate normal from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Seeding dates for each cover crop species are specific to each county based on climate data. Ratings for each cover crop species were reviewed. Potential advantages including quick growth and attractiveness to beneficial insects were reviewed alongside potential disadvantages such as risk of carrying disease to the following cash crop. Each cover cr...

Brad Carlson and Daniel Kaiser discuss the maximum return to nitrogen method (MRTN) for determining an optimal N rate on today's episode of  Advancing Nitrogen Smart Podcast . What is the MRTN and why was it created? What are differences between an N investment model versus a maximum yield model? What should farmers keep in mind while using the MRTN? Where can Minnesota farmers, producers and ag professionals find the MRTN? All this and more on today's show. Read the full transcript here Guests: Brad Carlson, Extension educator (Mankato) Dan Kaiser, Extension nutrient management specialist (St. Paul) Additional resources: www.cornnratecalc.org  (N rate calculator) Are you overspending on fertilizer? Nutrient Management Updated corn nitrogen rates: What are we currently seeing for N fertilizer requirements in Minnesota? Click here to listen to all Advancing Nitrogen Smart podcast episodes. For the latest nutrient management information, subscribe to the Nutrient Managemen...