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Showing posts from February, 2018

Nitrogen Timing: Apply When the Crop Needs it Most

Benjamin Davies, Soil Science PhD Student Paulo Pagliari, Extension Soil Scientist Spring is right around the corner. Do you have a nitrogen management plan in place? The rate and timing of nitrogen application should depend on your soil type, crop rotation and historical management practices. Recent University of Minnesota research funded by AFREC found that in coarse-textured soils, producers should split apply urea and in finer textured soils, plan to apply urea in the spring or as a split application.

February Hay Auction Summaries from Sauk Centre

by Dan Martens, Extension Educator, Stearns-Benton-Morrison Counties, Crops Focus, 320-968-5077, marte011@umn.edu Attached: My summaries from the February 1 and 15, 2018 Sauk Centre Hay Auctions 1. Feb 1 2018 Summary - All tested loads sold, groups based on hay and bale type and quality. 2. Feb 15 2018 Summary - Same format. 3. History of Selected Lots. Averages from recent years, and summer and fall sales so far. 4. Graph of Selected Alfalfa hay groups.              The 2017-18 season is the RED line. MORE HAY MARKET INFO:

Nutrient Management Podcast: Sulfur 101

Tune in to the latest Nutrient Management Podcast for a refresher on sulfur. Dan Kaiser, Jeff Vetsch and Paulo Pagliari discuss when to apply sulfur, where responses happen and what sources to use. They'll also talk about which crops are impacted by sulfur response, where sulfur is stored in the soil and how it is made available to crops.

Sulfur 101

On this episode of the podcast, Dan Kaiser, Paulo Pagliari and Jeff Vetsch give you the what, when, where, why and how of sulfur. Tune in for more on where sulfur responses occur, how it's made available to crops, what source to use and the best time to apply. For more the latest on nutrient management, follow us on facebook at facebook.com/UMNNutrientMgmt or Twitter at twitter.com/UMNNutrientMgmt.

Evaluating Spring Phosphorus Availability in Minnesota

Paulo Pagliari, Extension Soil Scientist Phosphorus is an essential element for crops, especially in the spring because it stimulates early plant growth, giving the plant a healthy and vigorous start. Spring phosphorus availability can range from low levels in western Minnesota to high levels in the southeastern, central and east-central areas of the state. Here’s a look at how to manage phosphorus this spring, based on the latest research.

Applying Manure This Spring? Start Planning Now

Melissa Wilson, Extension Manure Management Specialist It may be hard to imagine spring coming anytime soon with the recent arctic temperatures, but in a few short months it’ll be time to apply nutrients for the upcoming crops. If you plan to apply manure, now is the time to start mapping out your plans for the year to save headaches down the road. Here are some tips to get you started on your plans and for applying manure this spring:

Benchmarking yield potential for soybean in North Central States

Peyton Ginakes and Seth Naeve Photo: Lisa Behnken The University of Minnesota is partnering with nine other North Central states to close the soybean yield gap by combining big data from producers with location-specific modelling. Models are capable of predicting maximum yield potentials based on soil type, weather data, and management practices. However, yield gaps exist where producers’ soybean yields fall short of maximum yield potentials. That’s why ten North Central states are conducting a survey for more detailed information from soybean producers. Survey results from thousands of producers across the region allows researchers to use a ‘big data’ approach in determining which management practices can close the yield gap in localized regions. More information on what researchers have concluded thus far can be found in the Corn & Soybean Digest article, Data pegs soybean yield gap .

Time Sensitive: EPA Seeks Input on Registrations for 4 Neonicotinoid Insecticides

Bruce Potter, IPM Specialist, Bill Hutchison & Bob Koch, Extension Entomologist (Information provided by US EPA and Jan Knodel, Extension Entomologist, NDSU, Fargo, ND) There is an EPA open public comment period for ecological risk assessments for EPA registration review of four neonicotinoid insecticides. This open comment period ends Feb 20, 2018. The announcement for this review is available at: https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0581-0102 . This is an opportunity for the agricultural community to comment on the benefits of these widely used insecticides.