Koch Agronomic
Knowledge Center

Nitrogen volatilization can occur in all weather conditions, including both warm and cold temperatures. But no matter how or when fertilizer is applied, without a stabilizer, it’s vulnerable to loss.

If you are applying UAN or anhydrous ammonia — spring, fall or split applications alike — all nitrogen sources are subject to leaching after being nitrified to the nitrate form.

Whether you apply fall anhydrous ammonia or spring UAN, all nitrogen sources are subject to denitrification after being nitrified to the nitrate form.

With the recent trends of fertilizer and grain pricing, growers making spring nitrogen plans may choose to change their nitrogen needs and look at other inputs such as nitrogen stabilizers to optimize their overall profitability.

 

Some people who work in agriculture grow up on farms. They help with harvest and ride in tractor cabs before learning to ride a bike. But others take a different path into the industry.

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.

There are several misconceptions when it comes to UAN, including that it is not subject to nitrogen loss via volatilization, with many believing the water content found in UAN is enough to protect it from above-ground losses. We’re here to dispel this myth and help growers make the most of their UAN investment.

Rarely does Mother Nature give growers perfect weather conditions for their crops. Over the last several years, growers have dealt with weather conditions ranging from intense downfalls to warm, dry wind.

Imagine this scenario — there’s a hole in your fence and your cattle are getting out. What do you do? Buy more cattle and hope they don’t also get out? No, you fix the fence to stop them from escaping.

Spring will be here before you know it and soon it will be time to be out in the fields once again. And if you’re a grower applying anhydrous ammonia, timing is everything since spring weather can be somewhat unpredictable.

In most fields growing fall crops, winter weeds will start to emerge in early spring. A burndown application can be an effective part of a grower’s weed control program.