Nitrogen

Extensive in-field research combined with high-tech equipment has changed farming over the past few decades to the point where farmers have had to “relearn” what they may have learned “back in the day.”

While the erosion control and soil health benefits associated with cover crops and limited tillage have piqued farmers’ interest, the management shifts they require can be daunting.

Planting requires planning. Fortunately, farmers now have access to a lot of agronomic data to make informed decisions.

The supply of fertilizer is improving around the world following shocks to the system last year.

This year, I used a spreader truck instead of an airplane to apply the nitrogen and red clover seed over my dry wheat ground. The next day, I got a 2-inch rain, so I hope it didn’t wash the seed and fertilizer too far.

The demand trend for food is always rising. “We’re always consuming more grain as a world, as the population gets richer and we add more people,” said Dan Basse, president of the AgResource Company.

New nitrogen rate verification trials were introduced last year and researchers believe pairing that data with the current database will help fine-tune the recommendations.

Research-based information to help farmers capitalize on in-season decisions highlighted the recent Beck’s Hybrids Practical Farm Research Insights meeting.

Illinois corn and soybean yields since the 2012 drought have been consistently good and above the trend yield.

Potassium has been referred to as the mother of all nutrients for the numerous benefits it provides plants.

The Illinois Soybean Association has announced its ILSoyAdvisor award winners. The two awards are one way that ISA recognizes and shows its appreciation of Certified Crop Advisers across the state. Recipients were John Pike and Janette Porter.

Each year, Steve Pitstick develops a plan for his farm and adjusts during the growing season based on the conditions. “The real key to being a good farmer is being able to adjust on the fly,” said Pitstick, who farms about 5,000 acres of corn and soybeans near Maple Park.

Harvest is nearly complete, but there are always jobs to do on the farm. Kendell Culp, farmer and vice president of Indiana Farm Bureau, continues to balance raising livestock, working for INFB and planning for next year’s crop. He shared an update with AgriNews.

Increasing plant populations to hike corn yields also has a downside in the plant’s ability to take up nutrients. Logan Woodward, a Ph.D. student working with Fred Below, University of Illinois plant physiologist, said biologicals are potentially a way to increase root biomass wh

There’s plenty of good information available from universities about the environmental benefits of conservation practices, but limited data to help farmers determine if it’s a good business decision.