Blackmer says if farmers knew how much fall application costs them in terms of extra fertilizer and yield losses, as compared to spring application, they would probably switch to spring application. These tools help farmers identify fields that are nitrogen deficient, or have experienced nitrogen loss since fall applications soon enough to reapply nitrogen and rescue the crop. This technique can become a viable strategy for producers. This creates a win-win situation in which farmers have higher yields with less cost. Blackmer's research shows that the optimum rate of nitrogen to be applied varies according to when it is applied.
Less nitrogen is needed to reach optimum yields if it is applied when corn is about six inches tall.
It takes more nitrogen when it is applied in the fall or before corn emerges in the spring. Increasing the profitability of corn producers is just one of the goals of the ICPB, says Stenzel. By funding research that will determine the most favorable timing and application method for nitrogen, we are one step closer to achieving this goal.