Nitrogen management, can I make a PROFITABLE CROP or will it end in DISASTER.

[@AlextheDutchDairyfarmer]

It's a shame that we, as dairy farmers, can't do a whole lot with cutting N. We need to get that nutrients in to the feed to let the cow produce that milk. If it's not in the silage we have to buy more concentrate. That doesn't mean soil health is unimportant by all means.

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

Corn silage for dairy down here would fall in the same boat period way too much nitrogen is put in front of the planter and not managed and a large part of that is ending up in our waterways. The worst part about it is a lot of that is money that is out of our pocket.That we can't get back. If we can grow twenty five ton an acre of silage and save twenty or thirty percent of our nitrogen dollars why would we not do that

[@johnstine330]

My plan is to plant it all to grass asap. 😁

[@richardnorthern6945]

Great information strip till and nitrogen management

[@jrwstl02]

Jon, you hit some excellent points! Yes, as N gets more expensive, farmers should have interest in efficiency. One additional point to make about synthetic N, is the negative effect it can have on soil health. I realize most farms will need some applied N, but using it more efficiently can be a plus for soil organisms and long term soil health as well.

[@dudekseeds8586]

I routinely apply 50 lbs of nitrogen side dress as late as possible no other fertilizer to speak of other then pell lime and sulfur and look for 100 to 140 bpa corn 50 bpa beans no p or k in 6 yrs in my operation very small amount of manure wish I had more

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

I need to get more seed from you for more trials.

[@robmiller2919]

Is this on Tommy boy or hybrid corn?

[@robmiller2919]

I have been sidedressing 30 to 40 gals 28 , no other fertilizer usually do 140 to 160 bu yield. I'm sure I'm giving up yield , one time I raised Tommy boy no fertilizer at all, I think it made 60 but it was really weedy too , I never post sprayed......

[@jvin248]

Hey Jon, at times I think we spend effort trying to match up NPK+vitamins searching for the magic elixir to grow seed that was trained/bred/survived on full chemical+tillage systems used by the seed growers. We could learn a lot if we knew what chemicals and quantities were used to grow the seed corn and what their soil and leaf tests were -- then map that over our chemical use and soil and leaf tests. Makes me start wondering about how much of the seed corn is grown/evolved under full irrigation and then sold to farmers dry land farming in marginal drought regions?

[@jvin248]

Jon, I'd add: you should try planting a few acres of Reids Yellow Dent in positions you can save seed to replant and thus adapt it to your conditions/methods. You'll need to protect it from pollen drift.

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

@jvin248 good thoughts. Can the seed thrive in a non synthetic environment.

[@OzziesOddities]

This! Trying to adapt a program to plant biology in the blind. Just think if you were saving seed and your plant was actually adapting to your program.

[@tylernelson9464]

A few ton of bed pack manure, plow down alfalfa, and let the soil microbes go to work.

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

That grew a lot of good crops for a lot of years.

[@mn-1381]

Plan for this year, 1/3 up front in the band, 2/3 broadcast urea/ams. Nothing real cool. I really need to buy a sprayer. Then i would like to get on the y drop bandwagon!

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

Yes you do. Lot easier to do fertilizer trials

[@mn-1381]

@@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754 i am leaning towards a 3pt 300 gallon 45’ boom. I think that would work nice. Or should a person look for a pull behind?

[@jrwstl02]

On a sprayer, my suggestion would be a self propelled. Find an older Spra-Coupe or Patriot. One in good condition should be $20k-30K range. Many of these are 60’ booms and 400 gal tank. You’ll need to do maintenance and repairs just like any older equipment needs. Find a used Ag Leader or other monitor to install if the sprayer doesn’t have one. I only farm 320 acres and having my own sprayer has made a huge difference.

[@mn-1381]

@@jrwstl02 while I dont disagree and I think that will be the long term goal, I am looking to just get my feet wet right now. 2-3000 is about all i would like to spend. But yes, self propelled would be nice in all categories especially the ground clearance.

[@jrwstl02]

@@mn-1381 👍 In that case I think the 3 point would be a good way to start.

[@Farmerknowsbest]

Every farmer should do starter only, 50% and 100% strips each year with N imo.

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

Absolutely. Funny what you can learn on your farm with some trials.

[@mattkavanaugh9550]

I suggest a haney test on soil in the 2 spots of field . Pull samples from where you think your best and weakest soil is . Look at cec of soil test . I no till/ cover crop. Plant diverse cover behind cash crop w future crop in mind . Use as diverse cover as you can use and afford. Before corn i like 50% cereal rye ,20-25% hairy vetch , same w winter peas . Add winter wheat and triticale . The legumes fix n and cereal grains take it up and slow release the next growing season . Let covers mature if possible and lay them down if possible for mulch mat to promomte cooler soil temps increase microbial life and worm activity . Prevents water evaporation . Healthy soil = healthy plants = better bottom line . I also apply my own bio to seeds for $6 an acre and having amazing results . I highly recommend bio applied to all seeds . Set the stage at planting for max benefits . Its easier to wrk w the system created than work against it . The mindset is the hardest obstacle to overcome . I enjoy your videos and keep up the good work.

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

Very nice post. Thank you.

[@jaysonaakre6074]

Jon could you zoom the camera out and step to the side? Can we just watch that 4455?

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

Ha ha. Thank you. I was wondering how long it would take for someone to say it. There is a reason that was the background!

[@LVFFarmVlogs]

My plan is manure, spring graze the rye cover crop, then plant corn. Broadcast 50-100# of AMS at planting to make up for some of what the govt took away from us when they mandated ULSDF, then maybe 100# of urea at knee high depending on how the corn looks. Maybe skip a few rows to see if the 100# of urea was worth it or just another expense! But who knows, I'm kind of fluid and go with the flow!

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

Very good point on needing to be flexible. I don't know if I could find the study again.But they tested rye for nitrogen credits. It was actually quite impressive for a grass as to how much nitrogen it had.

[@Heimerviewfarm]

Clover and alfalfa will put all the n I need. Conventional guys prefer to be called, KZbin won't let me post that.

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

My rotation on 5 pastures will be that each year 1 is going into corn to capture the nutrients from the cows and legumes. And then each year 1 is getting seeded back down

[@robmiller2919]

Moldboard plow or notill?

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

@@robmiller2919 no till if possible, strip till more than likely, moldboard as a last resort.

[@markhasenour12]

You don't use NH3?

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

Absolutely not.

[@markhasenour12]

@@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754 why not?

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

@@markhasenour12 Ammonia is water soluble so it's highly vulnerable to leaching or run off. it is not a p h neutral product. It can be harmful to soil life. It helps with adding compaction to the soil. Several people in the area have been seriously injured.

[@harvestingharrolds1086]

Broadcast 100lb AMS before planting. Around 50 units UAN on planter 2x2 amd then 100 units sidedress UAN with thiosulfate added. 100% no-till also.