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Showing posts from January, 2022

Does fall urea application reduce sugarbeet stand loss?

By: Dan Kaiser, Extension nutrient management specialist Applying urea fertilizer in the fall is a popular practice for Minnesota sugarbeet growers to provide nitrogen (N) to the following year’s crop. However, recent research for corn in Minnesota shows a significant yield hit for fall-applied urea compared to spring application. Could the same be true for sugarbeet? That’s the focus of a three-year study funded by the Sugarbeet Research and Education Board of Minnesota and North Dakota. We established two trials, one in the northern sugarbeet growing region of Minnesota (Crookston) and one in the state’s southern sugarbeet growing region (Hector). We’re looking at sugarbeet root yield and quality responses to various rates and sources of urea applied in late fall versus pre-plant in the spring. The goal of this study is to evaluate the efficiency of fall urea application and to see if any commercial inhibitors or polymer-coated urea blends differ in the amount of N supplied to the c

Nitrogen Smart is back in-person for 2022 at 12 locations across Minnesota

2022 figures to be an especially challenging year for managing nitrogen, with record high fertilizer prices and potential impacts from last year's drought conditions. Join University of Minnesota Extension for Nitrogen Smart, a free program for producers to help maximize economic return on nitrogen and minimize losses to the environment. Nitrogen Smart sessions are available at 12 locations across the state this year, with the first one on February 14. Pre-registration is not required and there is no registration fee. View dates and locations Why attend Nitrogen Smart? According to a survey of past participants: Three out of four attendees changed at least one practice as a result of attending the meeting. Our survey data of past participants and estimates show at least a $3,243 value for each attendee, when calculating acreage, rate reduction and potential increased yield due to proper timing of application. More information All meetings will begin with the fundamentals session

Strategic Farming: Let's talk crops! January 19 session covers management considerations for grain and silage corn

By Angie Peltier, Extension crops educator, and Phyllis Bongard, Extension educational content development and communications specialist Corn silage. Photo: University of Wisconsin- Madison Extension It should be a surprise to none that drought dominated conversation topics during the 2021 growing season. As dairy or beef cattle producers struggled to source enough feed to support their herds, using  corn crops initially planned for grain harvest for livestock feed instead was not an uncommon phenomenon. While there are similarities in how best to produce corn for grain or silage, there are also important differences that may influence crop management during the 2022 growing season. On January 19, 2022, Drs. Joe Lauer, University of Wisconsin (UW)-Madison corn agronomist, and Luiz Ferraretto, UW-Madison ruminant nutritionist, joined UMN Extension educators for a wide-ranging discussion of how best to manage corn harvested as grain or silage crops. Watch a recording of this webinar belo

Reducing Bt trait acres in 2022 Minnesota Corn Production? Implications for European corn borer

Bruce Potter, Extension IPM Specialist; Ken Ostlie, Bill Hutchison, Extension Entomologists; Angie Peltier & Anthony Hanson, Extension Educators Overwintering European corn borer larva and its feeding damage within the lower stalk. While stalk breakage or ear drop are readily visible, the extent of tunneling and physiological yield loss can be seen only after the stalk is split. Photo: Bruce Potter, University of Minnesota. The economics of corn production challenge many farmers to minimize production costs. Hybrid selection is one way to reduce costs. Planting corn hybrids without Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) proteins for protection against European corn borer (ECB), corn rootworm, or both will reduce seed costs. However, if not careful, farmers could inadvertently reduce crop revenues if they select hybrids without considering yield potential or insect populations in their fields. Yield potential is the first thing to consider when selecting a corn hybrid. Bt traits protect the y

What to know about the Maximum Return to Nitrogen (MRTN) approach to corn N rate guidelines

Minnesota — along with Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio — uses the Maximum Return to Nitrogen (MRTN) approach to corn N rate guidelines. In this episode of the Nutrient Management Podcast, we discuss the Maximum Return to Nitrogen (MRTN) approach to corn N rate guidelines. What is the MRTN and why was this system implemented?  What are the pros and cons of the MRTN approach and how is it performing?  What should corn growers know about alternative approaches to the MRTN?  Will there be any changes made to the MRTN approach in the future? Listen to the podcast View the podcast transcript Guests: Dan Kaiser, Extension soil fertility specialist Fabian Fernandez, Extension soil fertility specialist Jeff Vetsch, U of M SROC researcher Brad Carlson, Extension educator  Additional resources: Corn nitrogen rate calculator High nitrogen fertilizer costs: What should corn growers be thinking about? Corn fertilizer guidelines Nutrient Management Conference (Feb. 8, 2022) Nit

Strategic Farming: Let's talk crops! session January 12 covered compaction

by Angie Peltier, Extension educator - crops Nothing reveals soil compaction better than crops grown during a historic drought, as Minnesota experienced throughout the 2021 growing season.   During periods of drought or excessive soil moisture when plants are under stress, compacted soil adds an additional source of plant stress.  Jodi DeJong-Hughes, UMN Extension water quality educator and Aaron Daigh, associate professor of soil physics and hydrology with the Department of Soil Science at North Dakota State University, joined UMN Extension educator Angie Peltier for a wide-ranging discussion of how compaction happens, how to avoid compacting soil in the future and how to remediate compaction that has already occurred. This was the second of the 2022 Strategic Farming: Let’s talk crops! webinars in this series. Watch a recording of this webinar:  Strategic Farming 2022: Let's talk soil compaction How compaction happens Soil is largely made up of sand, silt and clay particles and

Commercial Animal Waste Technician (CAWT) trainings now available in-person or online

There are several upcoming opportunities for Minnesota commercial manure haulers and site managers to attend the Commercial Animal Waste Technician (CAWT) recertification workshops. This year, there will be both in-person workshops and an online course. In-person workshops will take place in Morris (Feb. 15), Lamberton (Mar. 9), and Waseca (Mar. 23). A hybrid workshop where participants attend in person and speakers are remote will be held in Hutchinson (Feb. 17). Online training will be available starting late spring and will be open until November 20th, 2022. Learn more & register: z.umn.edu/CAWT2022 Due to University of Minnesota building COVID protocols, masks are required and seating is limited for all in-person locations. Register early to ensure a seat. No Walk-ins. Companies can now register multiple employees at once (in-person training only). The registration fee is $10 for either in-person or online recertification training. Sign up to receive CAWT updates The Mi

Midwest Soybean Gall Midge Webinar Series

Since its discovery as a new species in 2019, soybean gall midge (Fig. 1a) continues to be found in new counties across five states in the Midwest. For some growers, the presence of soybean gall midge had a significant impact on soybean yield (Fig. 1b). The persistence of this new pest in existing areas and its presence in new counties highlight the need to stay up-to-date on the latest research-based information. Figure 1. Soybean gall midge larvae (1a) and soybean gall midge infested soybean (1b). Webinar series Researchers from four midwestern states have developed a two-part webinar series consisting of several short talks with time for discussion. Growers, consultants, educators, and industry representatives are encouraged to join these free webinars. Registration is required and two CCA credits will be available. On Feb. 15th , you can get the latest multi-state update on the distribution of soybean gall midge, important scouting tips, and information on the ecology of soybean ga

Small Grains Updates start next week!

The Small Grains Update offers the latest recommendations for production and pest management. These workshops will be discussion-based meetings, so bring your questions. Topics include production agronomics, variety selection, soil fertility, and economics. Register now for any of the following locations: January 17, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., Morris January 31, 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., Roseau  (combined with PPAT) February 1, 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., McIntosh  (combined with PPAT) February 14, 9 - 11:30 a.m., New Prague February 14, 1 - 3:30 p.m., Rochester February 15, 1 - 3:30 p.m., Floodwood February 17, 1 - 3:30 p.m. Slayton February 18, 9 - 11:30 a.m., Cold Spring February 18, 1 - 3:30 p.m., Benson February 23, 9 - 10 a.m. Strategic Farming webinar  Panelists include Jochum Wiersma, Extension small grains specialist, and Jared Goplen, Extension educator - crops. Registration There's no cost to register or attend any of the in-person Updates.  Lunch is included.  Register for an in-person Upd

Strategic Farming: Let's talk crops! launches with soil fertility discussion

 by Phyllis Bongard, Educational content development and communications specialist Soil sampling for the PSNT test. With high fertilizer prices following the 2021 drought, you may be looking to adjust your nutrient management for the 2022 crop. Dan Kaiser, Extension nutrient management specialist, and Brad Carlson, Extension educator – water quality, joined Extension Educator Ryan Miller for a wide-ranging discussion in the launch of the 2022 Strategic Farming: Let’s talk crops! webinar series.  Watch a video recording of the webinar below, and check out some highlights with links below the video. Nitrogen adjustments Capturing residual nitrate Historically, nitrate concentrations in surface water can spike following a drought. While an environmental concern, it also indicates that residual nitrate is still in the soil profile. In light of the high fertilizer prices, you may have the ability to utilize that residual nitrate as part of your total fertility package going into 2022. B

Private pesticide applicator recertification in 2022

By Liz Stahl, Extension Educator – Crops and Tana Haugen-Brown, Extension Educator and Co-Coordinator, PSEE Photo: Liz Stahl Private Pesticide Applicator recertification options are available starting January 5, 2022. Farmers who reside in the state of Minnesota and plan to use a Restricted Use Pesticide on land or sites for the production of agricultural commodities, must renew their certification if their certification expires on March 1, 2022. You can check your certification status at: https://z.umn.edu/PPAlookupMDA . While there are several options to recertify in 2022, the cost is the same ($75) regardless of the option. Recertification options In-person workshop  Attend a live in-person workshop. Workshops offer a great opportunity to review regulations and safety issues related to pesticide application, while providing you with the latest University research on integrated pest management. A complete list of workshops can be found at www.pat.umn.edu . Note several loca

Northern Soil Compaction Conference offers latest management tips

Do you feel like soil compaction is squeezing your yields? Are you wondering what you can do about it? The University of Minnesota Extension is proud to partner with Manitoba Ag and Resource Development and North Dakota State University to bring you the Northern Soil Compaction Conference . This virtual event will be held on January 26th and 27th from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm (CDT). Every equipment pass risks compaction. Compaction affects root and crop growth, water infiltration, crop fertility need and yield, and crop diseases, just to name a few. However, many management practices exist to help fix the compaction and avoid it in the future. These practices range from the use of cover crops, crop rotations, and tillage to controlled traffic, proper tire inflation, tracks, and axle loads. The Northern Soil Compaction Conference is a unique opportunity to hear the latest in technical advice from experts based in the US, Canada, and Sweden on how to deal with your current compaction, build pr

Maximum Return To Nitrogen (MRTN) approach to corn N rate guidelines

In this episode of the Nutrient Management Podcast, four U of M researchers discuss the Maximum Return To Nitrogen (MRTN) approach to corn N rate guidelines. What is the MRTN and why was this system implemented? What are the pros and cons of the MRTN approach and how is it performing? What should corn growers know about alternative approaches to the MRTN? Will there be any changes made to the MRTN approach in the future? Thank you to Minnesota's Agricultural Fertilizer Research and Education Council (AFREC) for supporting the podcast.