February 23, 2009

New government research suggests corn can benefit from residual nitrogen when it is planted after other crops, but some corn growers say such scavenger opportunities only go so far.

 

Penny-pinching farmers are looking to reduce fertilizer applications because input prices are still reflective of the highs established in 2008 while corn prices are down about 31 percent from last year.

 

Researchers at US Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service found that an unfertilized corn crop in irrigated ground following five years of alfalfa and one year of onions could yield 250 bushels per acre. Another plot, fertilized with 250 pounds of nitrogen per acre yielded about 260 bushels.

 

"The results suggest that when managing fields with relatively high nitrogen levels, farmers could benefit economically from reduced nitrogen fertilization rates," the researchers said in a press release.

 

Most Midwestern corn fields don't have enough available nitrogen to justify skipping spring application, but yields will reflect lower application rates, experts say.

 

"You put fertilizer on until the marginal cost is equal to the marginal return," said Terry Francl, a senior economist with American Farm Bureau. "With prices of the commodities down so much, the economics suggest lower application rates."

 

While weather will have the greater ultimate influence on yield, Francl said it is safe to say there will be slightly lower yields.

 

"Generally speaking, a lot of farmers tell me they are still waiting to purchase fertilizer," Francl said. "The ones who are putting on nitrogen are probably putting a minimum amount on as a starter, then trying to go back and side dress the corn later in the season."

 

Precision application strategies of synthetic and manure-based nitrogen also can help farmers conserve their resources.

 

But supply constrictions may be the real driver of restricted applications, as retailers have not moved enough fertilizer since last fall to enable the delivery pipeline enough time and space to move enough spring supply into place, analysts and industry participants said.

 

Bill Jackson, general manager of fertilizer distributor AgriServices of Brunswick, said not enough fertilizer was put down last fall.

 

In contrast to the USDA's baseline corn yield projection of 157 bushels per acre for the current crop year, Jackson said he thinks yields of 140-145 are more reasonable to expect.

 

Also, nitrogen conservation strategies have their limitations, Jackson said.

 

"You have to put on nitrogen every year in the amount that corresponds with yield goals," he said. "It either volatilizes or leaches. It's not available from one year to the next."