Determining the Correct Nitrogen Rate for Your Field

Posted on March 31, 2011 by Nick Benson, Corn Product Specialist

Spring planting is just around the corner, and with it comes the age old question, “What is the right rate of Nitrogen for my field?”

A recent research paper published by Purdue University sums up Nitrogen (N) management succinctly: Nitrogen fertilizer costs remain volatile but continue to be one of the most expensive variable costs for corn. Applying “more than enough N” is no longer cheap “insurance” as it once was many years ago. Applying “more than enough N” is also not environmentally friendly.

High fertilizer costs and environmental impacts should encourage growers to critically evaluate their N fertility program, including application rate, fertilizer material, and timing.Here are a few tips for you to consider the right Nitrogen rate for your field this spring:

Customize applications. Tailor Nitrogen applications to each individual field. Because farmers are constantly striving to achieve higher yields, it’s not effective to try and use a general “one size fits all” recommendation. That’s why it’s so important to first determine your needs with a soil test.
Soil test. Conduct a soil test to obtain a guideline of soil nutrients and needs. Purdue’s research paper stated some soils provide as little as 25% of the crop N requirement, the remainder coming from fertilizer N, while other soils provide in excess of 50% of the crop N demand, with a lesser amount needed from applied N. Thus, it’s vitally important to first determine soil needs before application. Through Latham’s Seed2Soil®program, we work with customers to conduct an Amino Sugar Nitrogen Test to help determine where Nitrogen rates need to be increased, maintained, or decreased.
Recognize timing differences. Certain hybrids respond better to Nitrogen at different times of the growing season. For instance, some hybrids will require an extra shot of Nitrogen when they begin the grain fill period directly after pollination. Work with your seed representative to determine the best timing for the products in your field.
Better for your pocketbook and the environment. The goal with Nitrogen management should be to place the right amount on the right acres at the right time. Latham’s Seed2Soil program helped reduce Nitrogen needs by 20-25 pounds, according to four years of research and in-field studies. Learn more about Latham’s Seed2Soil program.

Do you have any questions regarding Nitrogen management for your field?

Corn acres may fall 5 million short

Posted on March 30, 2011 by Shannon Latham, Vice President

In the last eight months, corn prices have doubled while U.S. corn stocks dropped, stated a recent Wallaces Farmer article. Even with prices as high as they are today, it still looks as though 2011 corn acres are going to fall short of demand.

USDA will release its Planting Intentions report this Thursday, and farmers and grain traders alike are eagerly awaiting the numbers. In February, USDA economists said they anticipated close to 92 million acres to be planted to corn nationwide this spring, but even those 92 million acres (up from 88 million last year), wouldn’t be enough to satisfy demand. Grain market analysts say this number falls five million acres short of what’s needed to help rebuild tight U.S. corn stocks.

The Dakota-Minnesota region which accounted for 16 percent of U.S. corn acres last year is being looked upon intently in this scenario. “If corn planting is delayed in that region, that will tend to push more acres into beans,” says Bob Wisner, retired Iowa State University Extension grain marketing economist.

As if there weren’t enough coals in the fire, ISU Extension climatologist Elwynn Taylor is projecting a 2011 drought based on a continuing strong La Nina. If this prediction comes true, the 2011 average U.S. corn yield could fall well short of the trendline. Taylor’s worst case scenario is a 148 bu/acre corn yield average in 2011, the article stated.

What are your thoughts on the current corn acre projections? Will you be planting any acres to corn this year?

Click here to read the full article at wallacesfarmer.com.

Combating Goss’s Wilt and SDS

Posted on March 29, 2011 by Shannon Latham, Vice President

Last year Goss’s Wilt and Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) both reared their ugly heads for many growers throughout the Midwest. Unfortunately for those farmers who had to deal with the effects first-hand, Nick Benson, corn product specialist, and Mark Grundmeier, soybean specialist, say likelihood is they will present challenges for Midwest growers again this year. As we head into planting season, below are some tips to keep top of mind to help battle these diseases.

Tips to Manage Goss’s Wilt

Hybrid selection. One of the best ways to protect against Goss’s Wilt is hybrid selection. If you battled Goss last year, Nick recommends either rotating to beans, or planting only highly resistant hybrids to help avoid significant yield loss.
Bacteria versus fungus. Nick says oftentimes farmers will spray fungicide and believe they’re taking care of diseases like Goss’s Wilt, but because Goss’s is bacterial, the fungicide has no effect. To help farmers identify corn diseases, Iowa State University Extension has compiled a helpful Scouting Guide available here.
Tillage. Because Goss’s overwinters in the previous year’s crop residue, tillage will help prevent spread. If a field was affected by Goss last year, aggressive tillage Nick recommends aggressive tillage to help suppress the susceptibility for the coming year.

Tips to Manage SDS

When SDS spread last year, Mark compiled a video series with tips from variety selection to SDS management to help farmers in the field. Below is a video about how to prevent SDS prevention. If time allows, take just a few minutes to read Mark’s previous blog posts that offer tips to help you identify and manage SDS.