News

Wet spring leads to nitrogen loss

A wet spring has led to nitrogen loss in many parts of the Corn Belt.

Dr. Fabian Fernandez, an associate professor of nutrient management at the University of Minnesota, says anhydrous ammonia applied last fall and early this spring had more time to convert into nitrate—the form of nitrogen that most easily moves with water below the root zone.

“If the fertilizer was applied later in the spring, it takes a while typically for that nitrogen to transform to nitrate.  So the potential for loss when we have excess precipitation gets reduced.”

He tells Brownfield farmers should be looking for signs of nitrogen deficiency, and soil testing might be necessary.

“If the concentrations are between 20 to 25 parts per million, typically you will not need any additional nitrogen.  If it’s above 25, for sure you will not need any additional nitrogen.  But if it is less than 20 parts per million, then some supplemental nitrogen will probably be needed.”

Fernandez says knowing the yield potential of affected corn acres helps farmers determine if a side-dress application of nitrogen is warranted.