Episodes
In this episode of the Nutrient Management Podcast, four U of M researchers discuss the Maximum Return To Nitrogen (MRTN) approach to corn N rate guidelines. What is the MRTN and why was this system implemented? What are the pros and cons of the MRTN approach and how is it performing? What should corn growers know about alternative approaches to the MRTN? Will there be any changes made to the MRTN approach in the future? Thank you to Minnesota's Agricultural Fertilizer Research and Education...
Published 01/02/22
In this episode of the Nutrient Management Podcast, we discuss fertilizer prices and supply chain issues. Extension educator Brad Carlson is joined by: Jim Carlson, Vice President of Agronomy at United Farmer's Co-op in Winthrop, Minnesota; Russ Quinn, ag market reporter for DTN/The Progressive Farmer and a farmer in eastern Nebraska; and Josh Linville, Director of Fertilizer at StoneX Financial.  Where are fertilizer prices right now and how do they compare to the recent past? Why are...
Published 11/01/21
In this episode of the Nutrient Management Podcast, three U of M researchers discuss soil management and nutrient issues.How do erosion and tillage practices impact nutrients in the soil and nutrient management? After a dry spring and summer, what should growers know about soil and nutrient management heading into the fall? How can farmers better manage soils to avoid nutrient issues? Are cover crops a good idea this year?Thank you to Minnesota's Agricultural Fertilizer Research and Education...
Published 09/12/21
In this episode of the Nutrient Management Podcast, three U of M researchers discuss sulfur.How has atmospheric sulfur deposition changed over time and why does it matter for farmers?How did the dry conditions this year impact sulfur availability? Do dry soils mean sulfur responses will be greater? Do dry soils affect which source of sulfur growers should use? What do we know about interactions between sulfur and other nutrients? What should farmers thinking about applying sulfur for the 2022...
Published 09/01/21
 In this episode of the Nutrient Management Podcast, four U of M researchers discuss fall fertilizer decisions.With rising prices, what are some ways growers can save on fertilizer costs this fall and next spring?With the dry conditions, is there anything growers need to be thinking about regarding nutrient availability or soil testing that might arise this fall if conditions stay dry? Is this a year that a soil nitrate test might be useful? Is there anything related to changes in the U of M...
Published 08/02/21
In this episode of the Nutrient Management Podcast, three U of M researchers discuss starter fertilizer issues. What makes liquid starter fertilizers risky when applying on or near the seed? Should growers adjust their liquid in-furrow application rates in dry years? Is it a good idea to mix liquid fertilizer with fungicides or insecticides?Thank you to Minnesota's Agricultural Fertilizer Research and Education Council (AFREC) for supporting the podcast.
Published 07/01/21
In this episode of the Nutrient Management Podcast, four U of M researchers discuss irrigation and nutrient management.What is deficit irrigation and could there be an important role for it this year if it stays dry?What's the best approach to nitrogen fertilization in irrigated corn, and what should farmers keep in mind when applying N in irrigated fields?Is there an advantage to using fertigation over traditional fertilizer applications?What should growers know about variable rate...
Published 06/01/21
In this episode of the Nutrient Management Podcast, three U of M researchers discuss potassium management. What key factors impact potassium availability in soils? Currently, Minnesota suggests banding potassium is more efficient than broadcast application. What are your thoughts on the band versus broadcast debate? There have been some questions over the winter related to potash application on soybean. What are some key takeaways from your research and should farmers consider alternative...
Published 04/30/21
In this episode of the Nutrient Management Podcast, four U of M researchers discuss continuous corn nutrient management. What are the most challenging aspects of continuous corn production? Which key nutrients are impacted by residue breakdown and how can continuous corn growers manage residue to limit nutrient tie-up? What has recent research told us about how to maximize yield in a continuous corn system? Are there any other practices, not specifically related to fertilizer management, that...
Published 04/23/21
In this episode of the Nutrient Management Podcast, two U of M researchers and Dave Franzen from North Dakota State University discuss wheat nutrient management. Why is nitrogen important for wheat production? What makes managing nitrogen more challenging for wheat than for corn? What was the rationale behind recent changes to the wheat nitrogen guidelines in North Dakota? What are the best management options for ensuring high wheat yields that maintain protein near 14%? Thank you to...
Published 03/02/21
In this episode of the Nutrient Management Podcast, five U of M researchers discuss drainage research. Could there be different nitrogen guidelines in the future based on drainage status? Is older research in Minnesota on drainage systems still valuable or have changes in climate and crops mean we should re-look at some of these topics? Where do conservation drainage technologies such as bioreactors fit economically in our cropping systems? Thank you to Minnesota's Agricultural Fertilizer...
Published 02/06/21
 In this episode of the Nutrient Management Podcast, three U of M researchers and independent agronomist Matt Wiebers discuss on-farm research and nitrogen rates. Matt walks us through his AFREC-funded on-farm research project and what he's seen the last few years with regards to nitrogen rates. University researchers weigh in with their thoughts on Matt's research and how recent university data compare. Then the group discusses where the nitrogen guidelines might be heading and the future of...
Published 01/03/21
 In this episode of the Nutrient Management Podcast, three U of M researchers discuss nutrient interactions. What are nutrient interactions and how important are they to crops? Which nutrient interactions are of concern to crop producers? What can you do to avoid misinterpreting plant tissue analysis results due to nutrient interactions? Thank you to Minnesota's Agricultural Fertilizer Research and Education Council (AFREC) for supporting the podcast.
Published 12/01/20
In this episode of the Nutrient Management Podcast, three U of M researchers discuss our manure nitrogen guidelines. What are the most important considerations when making a nutrient management plan for manure application? Is it possible to put a value on the nutrients in manure? How does manure fit in with the maximum return to nitrogen (MRTN) approach used in the current nitrogen fertilizer guidelines? Thank you to Minnesota's Agricultural Fertilizer Research and Education Council (AFREC)...
Published 10/21/20
 In this episode of the Nutrient Management Podcast, three U of M researchers discuss liming. Which crops benefit the most from lime application? What should growers look for in a liming material? How are the university's lime recommendations developed? Thank you to Minnesota's Agricultural Fertilizer Research and Education Council (AFREC) for supporting the podcast.
Published 10/13/20
In this episode of the Nutrient Management Podcast, four U of M researchers discuss fall fertilizer management. What were summer growing conditions like across Minnesota? Is there any nutrient management research currently underway that crop producers may be interested in? What should growers consider when making fall fertilizer decisions? Thank you to Minnesota's Agricultural Fertilizer Research and Education Council (AFREC) for supporting the podcast. 
Published 09/14/20
In this episode of the Nutrient Management Podcast, two U of M researchers discuss manure management. What manure-related events and educational programming are coming up? What's the latest on the liquid swine manure sidedressing research project? How is the manure N & P credit study going? What should farmers keep in mind about manure management heading into fall? Thank you to Minnesota's Agricultural Fertilizer Research and Education Council (AFREC) for supporting the podcast.
Published 07/24/20
In this episode of the Nutrient Management Podcast, four U of M researchers discuss current growing conditions around the state and give us an update on their research projects. What questions have Extension researchers been getting this year from Minnesota growers and consultants about nutrient management? Is there anything growers should be aware of when making nutrient management decisions for 2021 based on this year's growing conditions? Thank you to Minnesota's Agricultural Fertilizer...
Published 07/08/20
In this episode of the Nutrient Management Podcast, three U of M researchers discuss alfalfa nutrient management. Why is managing soil inputs important for alfalfa producers? What are some key points that growers should consider when making nutrient management decisions for alfalfa? Does timing matter with alfalfa fertilizer application? Thank you to Minnesota's Agricultural Fertilizer Research and Education Council (AFREC) for supporting the podcast.
Published 06/01/20
In this episode of the Nutrient Management Podcast, three U of M researchers and a special guest from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture discuss nitrogen economics. How does the sale of nitrogen fertilizer in Minnesota break down by source, and what trends have we seen in nitrogen use for crops in Minnesota? Are farmers shifting towards more on-farm storage of nitrogen fertilizer, and what do farmers interested in storing and applying their own fertilizer need to be aware of? Thank you...
Published 05/13/20
In this episode of the Nutrient Management Podcast, three U of M researchers discuss biostimulants. What are biostimulants and what products are currently on the market? What classes of products are gaining a larger foothold in agriculture? What does research in Minnesota say about these products? Should farmers be taking a greater look at biostimulants? Thank you to Minnesota's Agricultural Fertilizer Research and Education Council (AFREC) for supporting the podcast.
Published 04/28/20
In this episode of the Nutrient Management Podcast, three U of M researchers discuss optimal phosphorus and potassium levels in the soil. What are some key takeaways that growers should know about interpreting soil tests? Environmentally, what is the threshold at which we should avoid applications to prevent significant nutrient loss? Is there really an optimal soil test level that farmers should shoot for? Thank you to Minnesota's Agricultural Fertilizer Research and Education Council...
Published 04/01/20
In this episode of the Nutrient Management Podcast, three U of M researchers discuss nitrogen management. Should growers consider split-applying N? Is fall urea too risky? Is ESN worth the cost? Thank you to Minnesota's Agricultural Fertilizer Research and Education Council (AFREC) for supporting the podcast.
Published 02/11/20
In this episode of the Nutrient Management Podcast, five U of M researchers discuss their 2019 research projects and what they'll be studying in 2020. Topics include sulfur sources, urea timing, split application of N, banding P and K, soil health tests, cover crops, irrigation management, variable rate N technologies, the pre-plant nitrate test, and more. Thank you to Minnesota's Agricultural Fertilizer Research and Education Council (AFREC) for supporting the podcast.
Published 01/27/20