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Showing posts from April, 2021

Potassium management

In  this episode  of the Nutrient Management Podcast, three U of M researchers discuss potassium management.  What key factors impact potassium availability in soils?  Currently, Minnesota suggests banding potassium is more efficient than broadcast application. What are your thoughts on the band versus broadcast debate?  There have been some questions over the winter related to potash application on soybean. What are some key takeaways from your research and should farmers consider alternative forms of potassium fertilizer? Thank you to Minnesota's Agricultural Fertilizer Research and Education Council (AFREC) for supporting the podcast.

Assess alfalfa stands

 by Nathan Drewitz, Extension educator Despite some colder temperatures, alfalfa stands appear to be looking nice heading into May. However, there can be a difference between nice-looking fields and fields that will produce decent yields. This is why all stands need to be assessed each spring for winter injury; you want to make sure that winter injury issues aren’t going to surprise you. For stand assessments, you need to focus on two-parts: stem counts and root and crown health. Stem counts With stem counts, we usually measure this as stems per square foot. The relationship between stem density and yield is constant, making this method reliable in estimating yield. The steps of the procedure are as follows: Mark off a 2 square foot section in each area you take a count Count only those stems that are 2 inches or taller Divide your count by two and average across all sections This will get you to the necessary stems per square foot needed to check yields. Typically, stem counts over

Continuous corn nutrient management: Key challenges and how to maximize yield

In this episode of the Nutrient Management Podcast, four U of M researchers discuss continuous corn nutrient management.  What are the most challenging aspects of continuous corn production?  Which key nutrients are impacted by residue breakdown and how can continuous corn growers manage residue to limit nutrient tie-up?  What has recent research told us about how to maximize yield in a continuous corn system?  Are there any other practices, not specifically related to fertilizer management, that may interact with a soil fertility program that growers should be aware of for continuous corn production?  Listen to the podcast View the podcast transcript Guests: Dan Kaiser, Extension nutrient management specialist Fabian Fernandez, Extension nitrogen management specialist Jeff Coulter, Extension corn agronomist Jeff Vetsch, U of M researcher Additional resources: Corn nitrogen calculator Minnesota corn fertilizer guidelines On-farm research helps to complement, challenge Minnesota's c

Join the 2021 Midwest Virtual Crop Scout School

  The 2021 Virtual Crop Scout School is now available and is free to the general public. This regional scout school consists of 22 webinars from crop protection specialists at eleven Midwest Universities, including webinars from U of M extension educators Jared Goplen on weed scouting and Anthony Hanson on alfalfa growth and insect scouting. These webinars are offered through the Crop Protection Network (CPN).   Crop scouts, farmers, and other users can pick and choose from a variety of diverse subjects to help them become more knowledgeable on crop scouting. Topics are split into digestible bits so crop scouts can interact with subject matter in a way that best suits their time and interest.   Crop scouting in an important part of integrated pest management (IPM) that can help farmers obtain higher yields and increased profit per acre. Scouting gives farmers and agronomists a "heads-up" about what is happening in the field, allowing preemptive action and appropriate ma