Knowledge Center

There is resurgence in interest on topdressing nitrogen for a variety of reasons. First, the perception is that top-dressing nitrogen fertilizer during the growing season offers potential benefits in cost and efficiency. Second, recent weather patterns have forced many farmers to either skip or miss the opportunity for fertilizer application prior to or at seeding time. Finally, protein premiums for spring wheat can be enticing at times

If the 2019 season taught us anything, it’s that things don’t always go according to plan. But that doesn’t mean looking ahead is a fruitless practice. With that in mind, have you started thinking about your 2020 nitrogen plan? A strategically planned anhydrous ammonia application can deliver significant agronomic and operational benefits. But how can you be confident your nutrient investment will still be available when crops need it?

The Field Notes podcast series from Koch Agronomic Services (Koch) will break down the science and technology behind agronomy to help growers do more with less. Crop science experts and others in the agriculture industry will discuss topics ranging from nitrogen loss and soil health to ways growers can increase operational efficiencies.

To better understand why plants need nitrogen to grow, it’s important to know what the element does and why the nitrogen cycle is a necessary part of all living matter.

We know that nitrogen is an important element. It makes up 78% of our atmosphere and is a key component in plant growth. But how do plants utilize this key nutrient? What role does nitrogen play as a crop nutrient? How do the three types of nitrogen loss differ?

DCD or dicyandiamide is the active ingredient found in many fertilizers and additives marketed for their nitrification inhibition properties, including SUPERU® fertilizer. SUPERU is a finished fertilizer with 8,500 ppm DCD that is backed by more than 25 years of research and hundreds of trials.

Do you plan to pull soil samples this fall? Learn why soil samples are valuable and why now is a great time to determine a method of sampling.

While growers are familiar with the unpredictability of the weather, the varying impacts of weather systems in the fall and winter can mean leaving input investments to even more chance.

Nitrogen management is essential to prevent nutrient loss, maximize yield potential and optimize economic return — it’s especially important when your nitrogen program includes a fall application.

Soil is a nonrenewable resource that directly and indirectly produces about 95 percent of the world’s food1 — so while defining soil health may not be easy, understanding its value is.

You might think that when nitrogen fertilizer is in the ground, it's safe. New research suggests you need to think again. When shallow banding unprotected urea less than two inches deep, researchers found that nitrogen loss due to ammonia volatilization can be even greater than unprotected broadcast urea.

A study by Dr. Rick Engel from Montana State University proved that surface-applied urea still loses a significant amount of nitrogen due to ammonia volatilization in cold weather, even under freezing conditions. High ammonia volatilization loss under cold conditions was mainly related to high soil moisture and soil pH.

While fall applications of nitrogen can help take pressure off spring field work, allowing for more timely planting, these applications are still at risk of nitrogen loss. We’ve debunked two common myths concerning nitrogen loss in fall-applied nitrogen to help ensure growers are maximizing their nitrogen fertilizer inputs.

Applying livestock manure to crops is a cost-efficient way to fertilize. Unfortunately, when manure remains untreated, nitrogen content can be susceptible to loss through volatilization, leaching and denitrification. And when nitrogen isn’t available for crops, yield can be impacted.

Nitrogen loss can be a serious problem impacting yield potential and return on investment. Depending on the soil type, nitrogen fertilizer is susceptible to losing more than 50% of its nitrogen through ammonia volatilization, denitrification and nitrate leaching.

N-TEGRATION™ Technology from Koch Agronomic Services (KAS) seamlessly integrates an innovative technology platform with existing urea manufacturing processes to produce a homogeneous, 46% nitrogen, ready-to-use enhanced efficiency fertilizer.

“Was your crop given the right source at the right rate, at the right time and in the right place?” Learn best management practices from the 4R Nutrient Stewardship initiative.