By: Jeff Vetsch & Kyle Holling, researchers, U of M Southern Research & Outreach Center (SROC) After a very rainy spring, many farmers and ag advisors in southern Minnesota had the same question in June 2024: Does my corn need supplemental nitrogen (N) fertilizer? At the U of M’s Southern Research and Outreach Center (SROC) in Waseca, we decided to put supplemental N to the test. Here’s what we found. Rain, rain, and more rain Much of southern Minnesota received excessive spring rainfall which likely led to N loss due to leaching and denitrification. At the SROC in Waseca, we recorded 7.48 inches of rainfall in May and 12.45 inches in June. These values are 3.01 and 7.07 inches greater than normal for those months. Tile drains were flowing rapidly. Fields, drainage ditches and rivers were inundated with water. Nitrate concentrations in tile drains at the SROC drainage research facility were about 80% greater in May and June than in April. Observations like ponded water in field...
After spending last episode talking about the background and history of nitrogen rate recommendations in Minnesota, today on episode 14 we’re talking about what to keep in mind as you begin predicting your nitrogen rate needs. How do yield, and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) factor into decision-making? Are there any N rate databases available to Minnesota growers? What are the pros and cons of a variable rate strategy, or cover crops for example? Brad and Dan talk about that and much more on today's episode. TRANSCRIPT Guests: Brad Carlson, Extension educator (Mankato) Daniel Kaiser, Extension nutrient management specialist (St. Paul) Additional resources: Corn nitrogen rate calculator Fertilizing corn in Minnesota Nitrogen fertilizer BMPs for agricultural lands --- Click here to listen to all Advancing Nitrogen Smart podcast episodes. For the latest nutrient management information, subscribe to the Nutrient Management Podcast . And don't forget to subscribe to the Minnesot...