Protect nitrogen in an early spring
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Several experts are projecting an early spring due to the mild weather conditions and lack of frozen soil in many areas. These conditions may increase nitrogen loss in the soil, so remind your customers that a nitrogen stabilizer, such as N-Serve®, can protect against that loss (whether, by leaching or denitrification) and protect their bottom line. Nitrogen in nitrate form is a nutrient that’s at risk for loss and N-Serve can help mitigate that risk for your customers.
Experts say we could see an early spring in 2021. This prediction has nothing to do with Punxsutawney Phil or his shadow, but rather, the abnormal weather conditions that have taken place over the last few months — what is being called an open winter.
According to Mike Koenigs, Market Development Specialist for Corteva Agriscience, Illinois, an open winter is when warmer conditions lead to a lack of frost in the soil, allowing moisture to soak in.
“So far, it’s been a warmer than average winter, and there is little to no frost in the soil,” said Koenigs. “In a normal, average winter, by early December, we have frozen soil to where it can’t absorb any moisture. When there’s no frost, moisture can still soak in. Therefore, if we don’t get a lot of frost in the soil, that means the soil can dry out and warm up quicker, potentially leading to an early spring.”
While most rejoice at the thought of an early spring and the chance for more temperate conditions to return, those conditions come with some challenges. For one, frozen soil allows for better protection of nitrogen. Mild winters and early springs provide numerous opportunities for nitrate loss via leaching and denitrification.
This year, however, many farmers and retailers were not able to apply nitrogen in the fall due to weather. “The past few falls were significantly wetter than normal,” said Koenigs. “Because of that, it delayed harvest, made it difficult to do fall tillage and fall fertilizer applications were wildly delayed or missed.”
If fall nitrogen applications were missed, spring applications, will be crucial. Koenigs says it will also be crucial to protect applied nitrogen with a nitrogen stabilizer.
“N-Serve delays the conversion of nitrogen in the ammonium form to the nitrate form, ensuring the nutrient is in the root zone when the corn needs it. Instinct provides similar protection for UAN and urea,” explained Koenigs.
As farmers look to the upcoming growing season, some best practices include:
John Long, agronomist with Mycogen Seeds, agrees that an early spring is likely and that spring applications are particularly important.
“Corn really isn’t able to take up nitrogen in large amounts until the second or third week of June and if you’re putting it out in early spring, you’re leaving that nitrogen out there for a long time to have losses due to several environmental factors,” said Long. “Because of that, nitrogen stabilizers, such as N-Serve, are a must.”
In all, the projected early spring doesn’t have to be alarming if farmers and retailers closely monitor conditions in their area and are prepared to make appropriate actions in their nutrient management plan, including use of a nitrogen stabilizer.
“N-Serve will keep the nitrogen in the root zone, where the corn needs it later in the season, so nitrogen applications can be made earlier. Earlier applications of nitrogen can potentially help reduce soil compaction,” said Koenigs.
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