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Kankakee, IL | Back when I started in 1988 I was using the standard 1.2#N/bu of ave corn yield. I've continually worked that down to where today I plan for .85#N/bu of ave corn yield. After harvest I calculate where the just harvested crop nitrogen useage was and in good years, 2024 was good, the use rate is more like .75#N/actual bushel of corn. Corn growers can clearly grow corn with much less N than believed, the key seems to be placing N closest to the N needs of the plant.
I place 25# N in fall strips, 40#N with planter and the balance at early sidedress. I've started taking spring soil nitrate tests between the strips and credit that amount to the crop as well. We have good soils, but not great. We typically lack the topsoil depth of central Illinois. Farm averages over 10 years are from 200-225 bu/acre. | |
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Trying something new
