Minnesota Crop News

On today's episode of the Advancing Nitrogen Smart podcast , Brad and Dan talk about variable rate application - and zones in particular. What's the overall point of variable rate nitrogen application? How might an initial starting N rate be determined? How do farmers' fields and equipment introduce their own variables, and how can these variables be monitored? What's the difference between a yield map and a zone map, and should farmers rely on yield maps for zoning purposes? Do the best yielding spots always need the most nitrogen? All of this and much 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: With high nitrogen fertilizer prices and low corn prices, can you decrease your nitrogen rate for 2026?  www.cornnratecalc.org (Corn Nitrogen Rate Calculator) Is variable rate nitrogen based on yield maps a good idea? Variab...

Please take a look at the photo below and guess whether this is a well-established cover crop or just a thick, lush crop of a volunteer grain. The field was tilled once in late August, early September. The picture was taken on November 6th near Crookston.  Photo 1 - Cover Crop or Volunteer Crop? You are today's winner if you guessed a lush volunteer crop of spring wheat.  The headland immediately at the field entrance is thinner and anemic, as is the edge of the ditch.  Otherwise, this volunteer spring wheat crop checks every single box for what you would want a cereal cover crop to look like in late fall. And that is the point of this blog - this meets all the criteria of how a cover crop should look in late fall, other than it was not sown by an approved seeding operation, nor does it contain a companion species. You should know that both mechanical and pneumatic fertilizer spreaders, in combination with tillage, can qualify as approved seeding operations. It is not tha...

By: Dan Kaiser, Extension nutrient management specialist I have had a few questions this fall regarding lime application. Currently we have eight trials across the state of Minnesota evaluating rates and sources of lime. Sources include quarry lime from Goodhue County, pelletized lime (“pell lime”), and precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) lime from the Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative.  I will be providing an update on the lime research over the winter. One interesting thing we’ve seen so far is that a few trials have shown little to no pH change from the lime application. I would be curious to hear from retailers, consultants, and growers whether they have seen anything similar.  I still have enough lime for two field locations that I am looking to establish before the 2026 crop year. Fields and soils needed for 2026 We are looking for two additional field locations to establish trials in the fall of 2025 or spring of 2026 on farmers’ fields. The sites are around 0....

In this week's CropCast, hosts Seth Naeve and David Nicolai welcome Dr. Dean Malvick, University of Minnesota Extension Plant Pathologist for corn and soybeans. Dr. Malvick dives into the 2025 growing season to discuss the development and yield impact of key crop diseases. He provides a timely review of Southern corn rust and corn tar spot disease biology, detailing their spread across Minnesota and adjoining states this year. Dean also outlines the knowns and unknowns regarding the progression of these corn diseases in relation to weather, wind, and crop rotation. Finally, the discussion covers the complex management strategies, including hybrid selection and the critical timing of foliar fungicides. We didn’t forget to ask about soybeans. Dean touches on the widespread presence of white mold in Minnesota fields and the discovery of red crown rot. Listen to the podcast What is Minnesota CropCast? Hosts David Nicolai and Seth Naeve discuss the progress and challenges of Minnesota...

By: Gabi Bolwerk and Bailey Tangen, Extension educators Fall is typically known as harvest season, but it is also a great time of year to test your soils. Many folks get a standard suite of tests that report soil organic matter, soil texture, and nutrient levels. But, for those interested in soil health, there are lots of lab test options to consider. Should you use lab soil health tests? With all of the available options, it can be hard to distinguish which lab tests, if any, should be used to measure soil health. See the pros and cons below to help determine if you should get lab soil health tests done. Pros of lab soil health tests: They provide quantifiable information you can refer back to in future years. They can help determine if a management change has impacted your soil health and function. Cons of lab soil health tests: There is no one test that can determine the health of your soil, due to soil’s dynamic nature. Soils are constantly in flux, with aspects that can change bas...

Irrigation decisions can make or break a growing season and getting them right is more important than ever. The Minnesota Irrigator Program (MIP) is returning this fall to help irrigators, crop advisors, and technical staff improve water-use efficiency and profitability through research-based, hands-on training. Join us this fall to sharpen your irrigation management skills, network with peers, and gain new insights that can help conserve water and boost farm profitability. Over two days, participants will learn how to: Use irrigation scheduling tools to optimize water use Apply soil- and water-relationship data to better predict irrigation demand Connect with current irrigation and agronomy research Explore the use of newer irrigation technologies and systems to improve precision and efficiency Date: November 18–19, 2025 Location:  Sherburne County History Center in Becker, MN - 10775 27th Ave SE, Becker, MN 55308 Cost:  $50 (total for two days, includes light breakfast ...