In-Season Nitrogen Management: It's About Managing, Not Always Actin

In-season nitrogen management is a best management practice (BMP) that creates conflicts for growers.

• Weather conditions can limit field access at the right time

• Crops height restricts equipment choices

• Equipment for in-season N application isn’t cheap

• Other operations like spraying can conflict with applying N

• The summer doesn’t stop for farmers either – there are still ball games, weddings, and families that deserve their attention

In-season nitrogen management isn’t going away because of these conflicts. It has proven benefits and policy is pushing this direction. Item 5 in Nebraska’s Water Quality & Quantity Task Force Report makes this clear: “Incentivize producers to increase the percentage of nitrogen applied in season versus out of season to improve overall nitrogen use efficiency.” Making in-season nitrogen management attainable and sustainable will require a systems approach.

• Application equipment should be accessible and available – farm or custom applicator owned

• Irrigated acres should be equipped to fertigate

• Fertilizer must be readily available in-season

• Decision support systems that inform optimal timing, rate, and placement

• Fertilizers that balance longevity and stability with crop availability

• Approaches that align with farmer capacity and management

This last point is something I’ve been thinking a lot about.

• How do we optimize timing while ensuring farmers have capacity to execute when N is needed?

• How can we forecast nitrogen needs while also being adaptive to changing conditions?

• How can we make information easily accessible and sharable wherever someone is?

• How do planning and agility best combine to prevent conflicts and create opportunity?

It’s important to remember that “in-season management” doesn’t have to look the same for everyone. It’s more about being ready to act than constantly acting. Our customers have shown us this through how they’ve used our technology.

• Most anticipated nitrogen need applied early (pre-plant to immediately post-plant) and use Sentinel to determine if any additional N is needed

• Plan to fertigate, but only when and how much Sentinel says

• Sidedress based on Sentinel rec before spraying and see if additional N is needed late

• Apply a biological and use Sentinel to see if it is making up the N difference

All of these are methods for in-season nitrogen management. It’s not about always acting in season – it’s about managing in season. Sometimes the best management is deciding not to act at all. In most cases, Sentinel has reduced total N applications which lightens the in-season burden while making in-season management even more valuable. As you continue through the growing season, think about how being informed and managing could help you only do the right work at the right time.

One last quick note. A friend of mine told me last week that 2 of his customers committed suicide so far this year. Times are hard throughout agriculture right now. If you are struggling, our phones are for more than just technical support. Don’t let today make a bigger decision than it has the right to.