A 1 long with raising corn and soybeans, Brian Herbst operates a contract hog-finishing enterprise on his farm near Kasson, Minn. Because he annually applies the resulting manure on his fields to supplement crop nutrient needs, he’s used to doing plenty of nutrient management planning and regulatory paperwork. He’s well aware some of those nutrients could stray into local creeks and rivers, so he manages residue, knifing in slurry to precise depths and then tracking movement of nitrogen and phosphorus in his fields. And he volunteered to be part of the Discovery Farms Minnesota program, a farmer-led effort to gather field-scale water quality information from farming systems across the state. While some farmers fear such scrutiny, Herbst says he welcomes the help. “I want to know if I’m losing nutrients and if there are ways I could improve our management plan.” After two years of monitoring, water and soil analyses have been encouraging, he says. “So far there haven’t been any red flags. That’s reassuring.” The monitoring has also helped him focus crop nutrient management, fine-tuning soil sampling and fertilizer applications to align them with the 4 R’s of nutrient stewardship — choosing the right nutrient source to apply at the right rate in the right place at the right time. Such tenets are driving grower and retailer practices around the country, as evidenced by the following 10 nutrient management trends. Paul Trcka, left, agronomist and YieldPoint specialist at the CHS Rochester location in Grand Meadow, Minn., speaks with producer Brian Herbst about the nutrient management plan for his farm near Kasson, Minn. 2 Less fall-applied nitrogen Concerns about the impact of nitrogen runoff on water quality and input costs are prompting a move away from fall-applied nitrogen (N) in some parts of the country. “We’re seeing a gradual shift here in southeastern Minnesota,” says Trcka. “Fall application is a convenient option for easing the busy spring workload for many growers, but more are viewing it as an economic gamble to apply nitrogen six to eight months before it’s needed. Studies show that in our area, the greatest potential for nitrogen runoff is in March and April, due to snow melt.” Over the past decade, Trcka has helped Herbst switch to spring-applied nitrogen fertilizer for that very reason. “Cropping economics is a main driver, but taking care of the environment is also important. I want to be able to pass on healthy soils and clean water to my three sons.” VR application of everything Both growers and retailers have invested in variable-rate (VR) application technology, with the number of dealers offering VR fertilizer application doubling over the past five years, says Troy Greenfield, manager of crop protection, seed and CHS YieldPoint® services. “These technologies are being used at planting and throughout the growing season to customize what’s happening on every field pass,” he says. “With services such as CHS YieldPoint, we’re able to layer grid soil sampling, land slope and in-season crop imagery with historical field data to create application prescriptions tailored to each field’s yield potential.” VR application is now being used for nearly all fertilizer and soil amendments, says Paul A. Trcka, agronomist and YieldPoint specialist at the CHS Rochester location at Grand Meadow, Minn. “Nearly all lime applications and around 90 percent of fall potash and phosphate applications made for our customers used VR technology.” 3 Multiple spring N applications An effective strategy for having nitrogen in the right place at the right time for maximum plant uptake is making multiple spring applications, says Greenfield. “By spoon-feeding the young crop, you’re better able to control the fate of the nitrogen, minimizing the chance that a big rain would push it too deep in the soil or that it could be lost through denitrification into the atmosphere.” Split spring nitrogen applications are quickly becoming the norm, with planter-applied and side-dress timing gaining in popularity, he notes. “Equipment manufacturers and the aftermarket industry have responded with new fertilizer delivery systems.” > Your CHS Connection 21