Wheat Grown With Nitrogen Management Strategies in Northern Ontario

A winter wheat study was conducted in Thunder Bay, ON. Nitrogen (N) fertilizer was applied either as urea or ESN (both fall applied) or as urea split between fall (one third of total nitrogen application) and spring (two thirds of nitrogen application).

Yields and protein are means of the three years and three N rates (50, 100, 150 lbs N/ac).

Profit calculations assume: wheat price = $4/bu; ESN premium over urea of $0.15/lb N; application cost of $7/ac and average N rate of 100 lbs N/ac.

Profit includes saving of one application at $7/ac. Profit calculation does not include any protein premiums or discounts.

A one-time fall application of ESN out-yielded both the fall urea and fall/ spring split urea treatments and provided increased protein.

ESN provides an economic and labor saving one-time nitrogen management option, precluding the need for spring top-dressing while increasing both yield and protein.