Results of Nitrogen Trials in Adapt Network SW Michigan Project 2012 Tom Morris Professor, Soil Fertility Specialist University of Connecticut March 14, 2013

Two goals we agree on Everyone wants clean water for drinking, recreation, and fish/seafood production Everyone wants food production

Rainfall – 2012 Bryan, OH; Deviation Fort Wayne; Deviation March April May June July Aug Sept Total

Corn Stalk Nitrate Test Collect stalks anytime between 1/3 milk line and 3 weeks after black layer

Corn stalk nitrate of 62 fields in SW MI in 2012 Corn Stalk Nitrate (ppm) Optimum range

Corn stalk nitrate values for 62 GSS fields in SW MI in 2012 – Timing of N application Percent of total fieldsin a category 3 4

Corn stalk nitrate values for 62 GSS fields in SW MI in 2012 – Manure applications 52 10

Percent of total fieldsin a category Corn stalk nitrate values for 62 GSS fields in SW MI in 2012 – Previous Crop

Corn stalk nitrate values for 62 GSS fields in SW MI in 2012 – Tillage Percent of total fieldsin a category 13 49

Corn stalk nitrate values for 62 GSS fields in SW MI in 2012 – Form of N Percent of total fieldsin a category

Percent Corn stalk nitrate values for 28 Strip Trials in SW MI in 2012 Pounds N/acre

TRTBu/AStalk $ Need 5 bu to pay for 50 lbs of N ST12MISW124

TRTBu/AStalk $ Need 5 bu to pay for 50 lbs of N ST12MISW117 Trial area

TRTBu/AStalk $ Need 5 bu to pay for 50 lbs of N ST12MISW121 Trial area

TRTBu/AStalk Need 5 bu to pay for 50 lbs of N ST12MISW397

TRTBu/AStalk $ Need 5 bu to pay for 50 lbs of N ST12MISW120 What rate apply next year?

Conclusions One year of data Averages are dangerous – You need to look at the stalk values and yields from strip trials from your fields to make the best decision about nitrogen for your fields Keep field-by-field records Think in terms of being a better manager of nitrogen over the next 10 years