Managing nitrogen costs is critical to achieving profitable corn production. Even in today’s cheaper N environment, there is simply no room for inefficient application of this vital crop input. Traditionally, we used the “1.1” formula. We were told to apply 1.1 pounds of N for each bushel of corn we expected to raise. But as…
Many growers apply nitrogen in the fall to take advantage of the wide application window. But there are risks with fall application. Applying seven months prior to planting leaves nitrogen vulnerable to loss from rain events and warm winters. Because nitrates easily move in the soil profile, it is important to map that movement to…
The success of your seed bed started with your combine pass last fall. Managing residue and compaction in the fall sets the stage for the 2017 seed bed. A quality seed environment requires four things: Uniform depth Uniform moisture Uniform temperature Seed to soil contact Uniform depth Consistent depth means consistent emergence. One collar delay…
When the soil warms up in spring, the microbial organisms that break down the previous season’s corn stalks use nitrogen as a food source. When those organisms are busy breaking down the corn stalks, they tie up nitrogen that would otherwise be available in your fields for plant use. The tie up is often called…
Nitrogen moves in the soil profile because of environmental factors – precipitation, temperature, etc. – but it’s important to understand the chemical process happening behind that movement in order to better control it. Let’s start by reviewing the transformation of one form, Anhydrous Ammonia. It enters the soil ammonia (NH3). It quickly grabs a hydrogen…
A corn plant takes up most of its nitrogen from a 7-inch radius. Improving placement by banding nitrogen fertilizer along the base of the plant leads to improve uptake. In 2016, 360 Yield Center partnered with the University of Illinois using a tracer ion in a nitrogen solution called 15N to compare uptake efficiencies from…
This year, as you prepare for side dress season, consider converting your bar to 360 Y-DROP Sidedress. There are numerous reasons why 360 Y-DROP Sidedress is an effective and efficient choice for side dress application. Optimized placement of nitrogen is the biggest draw of the 360 Y-DROP Sidedress system. Studies have shown that a corn…
As we continue to examine the micronutrients, let’s focus on Zinc. Zinc performs multiple functions in a corn plant. It is important in many enzymatic reactions and protein synthesis, and can also impact hormone production which affects growth and can cause shortened or stacked nodes. In corn, interveinal chlorosis in young tissue can be a…
In a way, Iron and Molybdenum act quite differently in relation to the soil. Molybdenum (Mo) becomes more available as the pH levels in your soil increase, while Iron (Fe) is quite the opposite and becomes more available at lower pH levels. These two micronutrients are a great example of why a balanced pH is…
Chloride (Cl) is taken up by the plant in the Cl- form. Because soil is negatively charged, Cl- can be mobile and leach in soils. Cl- is thought to be a driver in stomatal regulation, which helps control water levels in the plant. Therefore it is an important element in helping regulate water loss and…
