1. Results of Nitrogen Trials in Adapt Network SW Michigan Project 2012 Tom Morris Professor, Soil Fertility Specialist University of Connecticut thomas.morris@uconn.edu March 14, 2013

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

3. Rainfall – 2012 Bryan, OH; Deviation Fort Wayne; Deviation March 3.08 +0.482.28 -0.32 April1.29 2.231.61 -1.91 May1.06-3.210.53 -3.74 June0.65-3.512.28 -1.88 July4.35+0.11 1.66 -2.58 Aug3.51-0.133.18 -0.46 Sept3.61+0.810.51 -2.29 Total 17.37-7.86 12.05 -13.18

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

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

8. 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

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

10. Percent of total fieldsin a category Corn stalk nitrate values for 62 GSS fields in SW MI in 2012 – Previous Crop 31 1 30

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

12. Corn stalk nitrate values for 62 GSS fields in SW MI in 2012 – Form of N 6 54 2 Percent of total fieldsin a category

15. Percent 100 150 200 250 Corn stalk nitrate values for 28 Strip Trials in SW MI in 2012 Pounds N/acre

16. TRTBu/AStalk $ 100210 40 0 150244 103 145 200290 561 205 2502962571 5 Need 5 bu to pay for 50 lbs of N ST12MISW124

17. TRTBu/AStalk $ 100216 4633 0 150215 6918 -30 200218 6427 -10 250219 8109 -20 Need 5 bu to pay for 50 lbs of N ST12MISW117 Trial area

18. TRTBu/AStalk $ 100239 63 0 150255 1422 55 200260 2169 0 250267 5055 10 Need 5 bu to pay for 50 lbs of N ST12MISW121 Trial area

19. TRTBu/AStalk 100140 5444 150139 2806 200145 5855 250140 4613 Need 5 bu to pay for 50 lbs of N ST12MISW397

20. TRTBu/AStalk $ 100180 357 0 150180 681 -25 200185 693 0 250190 1172 0 Need 5 bu to pay for 50 lbs of N ST12MISW120 What rate apply next year?

21. 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