Summary: Background: Throughout the growing season, microbes within the soil break down organic nitrogen contained in soil organic matter and crop residues and release it as plant-available ammonium. This process is known as nitrogen mineralization. Nitrogen mineralization is favoured by warm soil temperatures with adequate soil moisture and aeration. Excess moisture can slow mineralization or […]
Calculating Growing Degree Days Growing Degree Days (GDDs) can be a helpful tool to track cereal crop growth and development. GDDs are calculated by adding the average daily temperatures during the cereal crop’s growing season. If the daily average temperature is equal to or less than 0˚C, the degree-day value is zero and no GDDs […]
A warmer than normal winter coupled with dry weather through February has led to surprisingly good field conditions in much of southern Ontario. While it looks like it could be an early spring, we know that the weather can change rapidly this time of year. Some are questioning whether it makes sense to take advantage […]
Summary Background Throughout the growing season, microbes within the soil break down organic nitrogen contained in soil organic matter and release it as plant-available ammonium. This process is known as nitrogen mineralization. Nitrogen mineralization is favoured by warm soil temperatures with adequate soil moisture and aeration. Excess moisture can slow mineralization or increase the potential […]
“Carbon to nitrogen ratio imbalance” is a term used to describe a type of nitrogen deficiency. A field recently had pulp and paper biosolids applied. The newly planted crop looked great, until the seedlings ran out of seed reserves and started utilizing soil nutrients. The crop then turned a neon shade of yellow. What happened? […]
Synopsis: Winter wheat survival has been good in most areas. Nitrogen application varies between 30-40% up to 70-90% in areas to the south. Lots of intentions to apply red clover into wheat, but single cut clover seed is in short supply. Spring cereal planting is 25-40% complete. Agricorp reports only 200 winter wheat damage reports, […]
When you don’t have the luxury of starting with multiple years of corn yield data how does one get started with a variable rate nitrogen strategy? Initial assessment of the field needs to question how variable the field actually is, and more to the point – what is driving the variability across that field? Greg […]
Synopsis: Very little nitrogen has been applied to wheat, and many are now abandoning plans for split application. In most areas the wheat looks good, including late plantings. Agricorp has received very few damage claims, and are busy inspecting uninsured late planted wheat. May 1 is deadline for applying for or making changes to crop insurance. Remind […]
Nitrogen (N) dramatically increases the yield of grass stands, as well as forage protein levels. Optimum rates depend on the cost of N, anticipated value of the hay, thickness of stand, moisture conditions, and whether it is pasture or hay. Good grass stands with less than one-third legume, can generally benefit from at least 70 […]