Looking back on 2018 and ahead to a challenging 2019

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Except for isolated pockets of hail, inadequate rainfall and, conversely, excessive moisture, growing conditions and yield were generally good in 2018 throughout the Corn Belt.
Above-average temperatures and excessive rainfall delayed and complicated harvest due to muddy fields and high-moisture content.
The unpredictable weather events of late 2018 put a halt to what would normally be a busy time for fall fertilizer applications, burndown herbicide applications and late-fall fieldwork. All these factors have retailers and growers anticipating a challenging start to 2019.

For most Midwest farmers, 2018 was a good year from a yield perspective. But after evaluating year-long weather events, many farmers are taking a good look at their nitrogen management plans for 2019.

After a wet spring in many regions that delayed planting, farmers caught up and got the crop in the ground in good shape. Above-normal heat in late May and throughout June accelerated crop growth, followed by timely rains and excellent pollination conditions in early to mid-July. Above-average temperatures in mid- to late September accelerated crop maturity as corn and soybean harvest got underway a few weeks earlier than normal.

Mother Nature reminded growers who was in charge as a two- to three-week stretch of rains brought harvest to a screeching halt. Just as conditions were inching their way back to where combines could again get rolling instead of sinking in mud, a series of brief snow events again brought harvest to a standstill. With harvest finally wrapping up post-Thanksgiving, and farmers eager to get into the fields again to tackle fall anhydrous ammonia applications, burndown herbicide treatments and fall tillage, the snows returned.

“A lot will depend on whether or not we will be able to get out and still get some fertilizer applied yet this winter,” says Jason Strand, manager of precision agriculture for Frontier Coop, North Bend, Nebraska. “Otherwise, it’s going to be a challenging and crazy spring for retailers and growers alike. Very little anhydrous got applied this fall, at least in our area, so spring applications are going to be hectic. Despite all that, as a retailer, we focus on keeping our customers focused on what their plan is for 2019. Our advice is don’t get caught up in the tariff war and soybean prices. Stick with your three-year plan, stay consistent and best manage whatever conditions come our way in the spring.”

The inability for growers to get much anhydrous applied last fall is affecting prices. Strand suspects this will prompt some growers to rethink nitrogen fertilizer plans.

“Anhydrous prices are going up because of the anticipated spring rush,” Strand says. “One thing I know for sure is we’re going to have to be flexible.”

Spring rains always a challenge

If the trend of cool, damp and rainy conditions experienced in previous springs continues in 2019, the case for including N-Serve^® or Instinct^® nitrogen stabilizer with spring nitrogen applications becomes more concrete. Despite the challenging economics facing growers as the 2019 planting season approaches, savvy growers recognize the benefits of using a stabilizer, especially when heavy spring rains accelerate the conversion of ammonium to the nitrate form.

“We have a lot of growers who have seen the value of N-Serve and Instinct and wouldn’t put nitrogen fertilizer out there without it,” says Alex Bottolfsen, agronomist with Herbert Feed and Grain, Verdigre, Nebraska. “Next spring will be interesting and probably crazy since very little if any fall anhydrous got applied. We’ve switched some guys from NutriSphere to Instinct, and they see the value now. I anticipate the amount of Instinct and N-Serve we apply will continue to increase as more growers experience the value.”

A lot will depend on the next couple of months and whether Mother Nature decides to cooperate in advance of planting time. Retailers are taking steps now in anticipation of what looks at this point to be a spring filled with challenge and uncertainty.

“All we can do now is make sure our equipment is in good shape and ready to go, anticipate our workforce needs, and keep our fingers crossed that we get some cooperation from the weather,” Strand says. “Weather always seems to be the unknown variable in the equation.”

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