UW-Discovery Farms recently hosted their annual winter conference titled, "Managing Nitrogen: More for the Plant, Less Leaving the Field." This year's event brought together more than 100 farmers, crop consultants, and nitrogen experts for an exciting day of presentations and discussion. Attendees had the opportunity to learn more about nitrogen use efficiency, in-season nitrogen tests, tile drainage, cover crops, and nitrogen additives.
"The amount of nitrogen that we have used has been going up over time because we have realized that corn yields are [ ] related to the amount of nitrogen we put on," explained Dr. Bob Hoeft, research coordinator for the Illinois Nutrient Research and Education Council. That relationship can be better understood by assessing on-farm nitrogen use efficiency. Dr. Cliff Snyder, nitrogen program director for the International Plant Nutrition Institute, stressed the importance of keeping yield and fertilizer records, setting goals, determining productivity constraints, and analyzing plant tissues. He suggested that "The way forward is to develop a 4R nutrient stewardship strategy. Source, rate, time and place in the cropping system should be optimized to impact social, economic, and environmental indicators."
Eric Cooley, co-director of UW-Discovery Farms, urged those with both tile and land under no-till or perennial crops to "take precautions when surface applying liquid manure." He recommended using tillage to break up preferential flow paths prior to or concurrent with manure application when possible. Using a cover crop like winter rye can also help reduce nitrate leaching, in addition to reducing soil erosion and offering an opportunity for extra forage, suggested Dr. Matt Ruark, soil scientist with UW-Extension.
Another option that may reduce losses and improve efficiency is the use of a nitrogen additive. However, make sure that "when you look at potential products you [ ] understand what the product is supposed to do. Does it affect nitrification, volatilization, or does it have an effect on urease activity? [ ] Don't be afraid to ask for supporting data from a land grant university," explained Dr. George Rehm, Discovery Farms Minnesota Coordinator. All legitimate products, which include N-Serve, Instinct, and Agrotain, will have the data to support their claims. For Dave LaCrosse of Pagel's Ponderosa Dairy adding Instinct to manure "created a day and night difference in the amount of nitrogen that leaves the field," reducing the amount of nitrogen loss from tile drains. "It is a little bit of a pain. It's kind of chalky and thick, but the benefits make it worth our time," LaCrosse explained to the audience during the farmer panel.
For over 12 years, UW-Discovery Farms has worked with Wisconsin farmers to identify the water quality impacts of different farming systems and settings around the state. The program, which is part of UW-Extension, conducts on-farm research to identify practices with environmental impacts and works with producers to implement practices to reduce losses. UW-Discovery Farms is under the direction of an industry led steering committee, and takes a real-world approach to finding the most economical solutions to agriculture's environmental challenges. Call 715.983.5668, email uwdiscoveryfarmsorg@gmail.com, or visit www.uwdiscoveryfarms.org for more information.
1.13.2015