CEDAR BASIN CROP CONSULTING Spring 1999 NEWSLETTER Shannon Gomes
Included in this issue: Nitrogen Management, Starter Fertilizer and GMO Corn Unapproved Individual Company Hybrid Numbers
NITROGEN MANAGEMENT
There has been some concern on the fate of fall applied nitrogen. Conditions for 1999 have favored greater chances of nitrogen loss.
[Figure 1] TOTAL PERCENTAGE OF REMAINING N (NH4 &endash; N + NO3) FOR AN AVERAGE YEAR
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NH4-N APPLICATION DATE: November 10, 1998 |
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SOIL SERIES: 398 |
COUNTY: Bremer |
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|
Long-Term Average on |
With N-Serve |
Without N-Serve |
|
May 1, 1999 |
86% |
73% |
|
June 1, 1999 |
80% |
53% |
|
July 1, 1999 |
72% |
53% |
This table shows the fate of fall applied (November 10, 1998) nitrogen on a poorly drained soil (Tripoli). Without a nitrogen stabilizer (N-Serve) we stand to loose 27% of applied nitrogen and by June 1, only 53% is left. If you have fall applied nitrogen I recommend we monitor those fields with late spring nitrate test and aerial photos of fields. This year Cedar Basin Crop Consulting, Inc. will have the capacity to monitor fields with aerial remote sensed flights (color and infrared photos) utilizing an ultra-lite (with Gomes as the pilot).
STARTER FERTILIZER
For years starter response has been inconsistent. Although we have seen physical color differences, it did not always translate to higher yields. Well now perhaps we have some valid research from University of Wisconsin. Dr. Larry Bundy finished a three-year study on soils with high Phosphorus and Potassium levels.
Their research revealed that planting date and relative maturity, not soil temperature, were major factors in yield response. Late planted and full season hybrids showed greatest response.
They developed a 240 Rule of Thumb, adding planting date (counting from January 1, and relative maturity (PD + RM > 240) has greatest chance of economic response to starter.
[Figure 2]
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Planting Date |
April 25 |
May 2 |
May 5 |
May 10 |
May 15 |
May 20 |
May 25 |
May 30 |
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Corn Relative Maturity (In Days) |
Percent Probability of Positive Economic Return |
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|
90 |
10 |
15 |
20 |
25 |
30 |
35 |
40 |
45 |
|
95 |
15 |
20 |
25 |
30 |
35 |
40 |
45 |
50 |
|
100 |
20 |
25 |
30 |
35 |
40 |
45 |
50 |
55 |
|
110 |
30 |
35 |
40 |
45 |
50 |
55 |
60 |
65 |
A COMBINATION of corn's relative maturity and planting date is an excellent way to predict economic returns to starter fertilizer, according to a Wisconsin study. It found planting date and relative hybrid maturity are major factors affecting corn yield response to starter.
20 (_ FARM JOURNAL/MID-FEBRUARY 1999 Another important find was that soil potassium levels and not phosphorus levels had significant response to starter. Potassium soil test levels below 140 PPM had more frequent response.
GMO (GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS)
As if we need something else this spring to be concerned about, now major grain merchandisers, ADM and Cargill, are refusing to take certain GMO hybrids. Basically it appears that Roundup Ready corn and certain Liberty Link/BT hybrids will not be accepted (due to European resistance). The enclosed list of unapproved hybrids was sent to me by DeKalb. I recommend either switch to approved hybrids or plan to segregate those fields. Novartis' 4242BT and 4640BT are approved even though they are Liberty Link/BT. If you have internet access go to NCGA website http://www.ncga.com or http://www.pioneer.com for more information.