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Video: What to know about nitrogen inhibitors and other enhanced efficiency fertilizers

In this short video, Extension nutrient management specialist Fabian Fernandez discusses nitrogen inhibitors and other enhanced efficiency fertilizers. What types are there? Where do they make the most sense? Should you use them this spring? Enhanced efficiency fertilizers, such as nitrogen inhibitors and slow- and controlled-release products, are fertilizer that has been modified to reduce losses to the environment and increase nutrient availability. These products can help farmers increase yield, save on fertilizer costs, and protect the environment, but there are some things you should keep in mind. Nitrogen inhibitors Inhibitors are sometimes referred to as stabilizers, but I believe this word can be misleading. In the soil, there is nothing stable about urea or ammonium. They will eventually transform to a form of nitrogen that can be lost. The most important thing to remember about inhibitors is that they delay nitrogen transformation. Nitrogen inhibitors are classified into two
Recent posts

Reducing Bt trait acres in 2024 Minnesota Corn Production? Implications for European corn borer

Anthony Hanson, IPM Extension Educator; Fei Yang & Bill Hutchsion, Extension Entomologists, Bruce Potter, Extension IPM Specialist; Angie Peltier, Ryan Miller, & Liz Stahl, Crops Extension Educators If you plan to have non-Bt corn fields in 2024, we are looking for potential European corn borer fall survey sites. To volunteer non-Bt fields for the 2024 fall survey, click here or contact Fei Yang ( yang8905@umn.edu ) or Anthony Hanson ( hans4022@umn.edu ). The economics of corn production challenge farmers to minimize production costs. Hybrid selection is one way to reduce costs. Planting corn hybrids without Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) proteins for protection against European corn borer (ECB) (Fig. 1), corn rootworm, or both will reduce seed costs. However, farmers could inadvertently reduce crop revenues by selecting hybrids without carefully considering hybrid yield potential or insect populations in their fields. Figure 1. European corn borer tunneling in corn

Reminder: Register for Midwest Soybean Gall Midge update on April 5

Photo: Bruce Potter Join Extension entomologists from four universities for the 2024 Midwest Soybean Gall Midge Research webinar on April 5th from 9 to 11 am CST . This webinar will feature several short presentations on recent developments in its biology, ecology, and management strategies. The session will offer plenty of time for questions and discussion. Certified crop advisors will be able to earn 2 pest management CEUs for attending.  Register now The webinar is free, but you must be registered to attend. For more information, visit Midwest Soybean Gall Midge Research Update ( z.umn.edu/Midwest SGM2024 )

Proper Spring Grain Drying and Storage Critical

By: Dr. Kendell Hellevang, NDSU Extension Engineer and Professor Photo: Angie Peltier The warmer winter and early spring have increased the potential for grain storage problems and the need for grain monitoring and management, says Ken Hellevang, North Dakota State University Extension agricultural engineer and grain drying expert. Stored grain temperature increases in parts of a bin in the spring, which is not only due to an increase in outdoor temperatures but also due to solar heat gain on the bin. Solar energy produces more than twice as much heat gain on the south wall of a bin in spring as it does during the summer. That, in addition to the solar heat gain on a bin roof, can create an environment conducive to grain spoilage. A ten degree increase in temperature reduces the allowable storage time of grain by about one-half. For example, the allowable storage time of corn at 17% moisture is reduced from about 130 days at 50 degrees Fahrenheit to about 75 days at 60 degrees and 45 d

Strategic Farming: Let's talk crops focused on fungicide efficacy

Ryan Miller, Extension Educator – Crops, Dr. Kiersten Wise, Extension Specialist in Plant Pathology, and Dr. Dean Malvick, Extension Plant Pathologist Tar spot on corn leaf with 5% coverage.  Source:  Crop Protection  Network severity tool .https:// severity.cropprotectionnetwork.org/crop/ corn/tar-spot-stroma Corn diseases tend to be less of a yield limiting issue in Minnesota, but questions do arise about fungicides and fungicide efficacy. The Crop Protection Network (CPN), https://cropprotectionnetwork.org/ , is an excellent online resource to help with these questions. Crop Protection Network is a collaboration between University Extension Plant Pathologists from the U.S. and Canada. CPN is a platform for multi-state extension pest management information, including publications, webinars, fungicide efficacy data, and tools. Publications The fungicide efficacy guides provide a non-biased assessment on how different fungicide products should work for managing various plant dise

Do you have nitrogen carryover?

By: Brad Carlson, Extension educator Following three dry years in a row in Minnesota, many soil samples taken last fall showed large amounts of nitrate in the soil. In fact, many fields had nitrogen credits over 155 pounds. Given current corn prices, taking a pre-plant soil nitrate test this spring could be a great way to boost profitability. Doesn’t the corn nitrogen rate calculator account for residual N? The corn nitrogen rate calculator uses the Maximum Return to Nitrogen (MRTN)  method, where data from N rate trials is fed into a database used to calculate the optimum N rate, given current corn and fertilizer prices. Because this method uses actual data, N credits are not used for corn on corn or corn following soybean situations (manure use excepted). This does not mean that there isn’t any carryover N from the previous year. It simply means that its presence is accounted for by the yield response in the studies. This method is very good at accounting for “average” conditions

All about corn: A decade of outstanding education

Craig Sheaffer, Extension Agronomist All about Corn , a narrated online education resource, has been available for a decade and has had over 85,000 pageviews! It has been widely used by diverse audiences, including high school and undergraduate students as well as educators who have incorporated the lessons into agriculture, crop production, botany, physiology, and crop breeding classes. All about Corn contains four modules each about one hour in length on the following subjects: Corn Biology: Growth and development, morphology, and taxonomy Corn Breeding: Origin of corn, hybridization, breeding techniques Corn production: Cropping systems, fertilization, tillage, and pests Uses of corn: Human and animal foods, and fuels. All About Corn was developed by a team of University of Minnesota educators including Kristine Moncada, Craig Sheaffer, Jeff Coulter, John Lamb, Jill Sackett Eberhart, Jeff Gunsolus, and Amy Jacobson. Its development was funded by the Minnesota Agricultural Exper