Practical Tips for Spring Planning and Nitrogen Management
Spring is one of the busiest times of year on the farm. A well-organized plan for spring planting and a well-thought-out approach to nitrogen management are critical to your success. Take a closer look at our tips for managing nitrogen this spring to ensure you use the right source of nitrogen, at the right time, in the right soil, with the right strategies and approach.
The Right Time
Spring planting can present an opportune time to apply nitrogen to the field, but spring weather can often lead to nitrogen loss. When applied too early, nitrogen is susceptible to loss through denitrification (atmospheric loss) or leaching (washed from root zone). While conventional nitrogen fertilizers such as urea require the right conditions and narrow application windows to avoid these losses, enhanced-efficiency fertilizers such as ESN give you a newfound sense of flexibility and protection.
ESN can help you address the risk of spring nitrogen loss while taking advantage of spring application windows. Protecting your nitrogen from loss, ESN matches the nitrogen demand of your growing crops and releases nitrogen at a rate controlled by the same factors that encourage plant growth (i.e., soil temperature). Made with a polymer coating, ESN reduces leaching losses in wet soils and spring weather conditions and offers flexible application windows for growers. When the risk of nitrogen loss is high and the weather is not ideal, ESN is here to provide season-long protection of your nitrogen investment.
Expert Insight: A study conducted by Michigan State University found that spring-applied ESN out yielded spring-applied urea by seven bushels per acre.
The Right Soil
Your soil has a direct impact on your plant’s ability to access essential nutrients. Nitrogen loss is more likely in sandy soils, soils with low organic matter, clay soils, poorly drained soils and wet soils.¹ Soil conditions must be strongly considered when applying a conventional nitrogen fertilizer. Enhanced-efficiency fertilizers, on the other hand, can help you navigate inadequate soil conditions and apply the nitrogen you need early on.
When the potential for nitrogen loss is high, enhanced-efficiency fertilizer products keep nutrient efficiency from hitting a low. Soil conditions that are prone to loss can benefit from ESN’s protective properties and its ability to reduce exposure to early season loss in the spring.
Expert Insight: Fifth-generation farmer, Daniel Sell, applies his ESN every February to provide nitrogen to his crops throughout the growing season.
The Right Strategies
From the use of enhanced-efficiency fertilizers (EEFs) and nitrogen inhibitors to managing fertilizer through split or variable-rate applications, there are a variety of strategies that can support effective nitrogen management. According to Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, spring fertilizer applications, nitrogen stabilizers and controlled-release polymer products can improve nitrogen efficiency in the field. Controlled-release products like ESN can reduce nitrogen loss and provide the nitrogen your crops need, when they need it, to maximize yields and profitability.
Split and variable rate applications can also support your nitrogen management plan. According to research conducted by Dr. Morteza Mozaffari, Assistant Professor of Soil Testing and Soil Fertility at the University of Arkansas, split applications of ESN out-yield urea during years of high rainfall. Using the right strategies in your nutrient management plan is key to growing a successful crop.
Expert Insight: A study conducted in Kansas found that ESN can simplify nitrogen management. The study found that one single application of ESN out-yielded split applications of urea by 19 bushels per acre; saving farmers time and money on split applications while providing the nitrogen availability of multiple applications.
The Right Approach
The best approach to managing nitrogen and other essential nutrients in your field is to have a strong and well-organized nutrient management plan. A typical nutrient management plan² includes:
- Field information such as the number of fields on your farm and their acreage, soil types and the bodies of water that are present.
- Animal information including the total number of animals, collection and handling practices for manure, location of housing, location of feeding and holding areas and products added to manure.
- Current management practices such as fertilizer and manure application rates, application methods, application timing and sources and typical planting and harvest dates.
- Recent laboratory results including recent soil test results, manure analysis results and crop/feed analysis results.
- Current manure management practices including handling and collection methods, storage locations and more.
- Landscape overview details including watercourse locations (streams, rivers, dry ditches, etc.) and well locations.
- Information for each field including field boundaries, planned crops, crop history, manure history, yield records, irrigation plans, soil texture and drainage, cover crop planning and more.
- Samples to be analyzed such as soil samples from fields with missing test results and manure samples for each storage system.
Crop consultants and agronomists can help support the development of your nutrient management plans. They can help you select the right source of nitrogen fertilizer and uncover the best time, rate and place to apply it to improve nutrient availability and uptake. They can also provide access to important services such as soil testing, tissue sampling and crop scouting. Elevate nitrogen management on your farm with an experienced crop consultant and a well-rounded nutrient management plan.
Expert Insight: If you’re thinking about enhancing your nutrient management plan, the best place to start is with a soil test. Soil testing gives you the unique opportunity to tailor your nutrient management plan to your specific field condition, environment and climate.
The Right Source
Spring nitrogen applications can be challenging in extremely wet or dry soil conditions. In dry conditions, a lack of moisture can result in dehydrated, burnt or undissolved fertilizer granules. Using the right source of nitrogen fertilizer will give you an edge during seeding and allow you to simultaneously plant and fertilize your crops.
Enhanced-efficiency fertilizers, such as ESN, use a polymer coating to prevent seedling damage and release small amounts of nitrogen throughout the growing season to prevent damage and minimize loss. Slow and controlled-release products can control the timing of nutrient availability to help ensure your crops get the nitrogen they need, when they need it, with significant reductions in loss.
Expert Insight: The simplest way to understand if you are using the right source is to focus on ensuring your nitrogen inputs align with the nutrient requirements of your crop.
The Bottom Line
Get ahead of spring planning this season and protect your nitrogen investment with a strong nutrient management plan. Work with your crop consultant or local agronomist to ensure you are using the right source of nitrogen, at the right time, in the right soil, with the right strategies and approach.
To explore the difference ESN can make in your nitrogen management plan and to learn more about nitrogen management, visit the following resources:
Minimize Nitrogen Loss by Applying ESN
Nitrogen Management: How Nitrogen is Lost and How to Protect It
Growing Consistently Year-After-Year With ESN
5 Ways to Elevate Your Fertilizer Budget
References:
Sylvite. (2024). Smart Nitrogen Approaches for Spring. https://sylvite.ca/smart-nitrogen-approaches-for-spring/
British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture. (2020). Farm Data Checklist for Nutrient Management Plans. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/farming-natural-resources-and-industry/agriculture-and-seafood/agricultural-land-and-environment/soil-nutrients/nutrient-management/nutrient-management-plans-reference-materials/farm_data_checklist.pdf
