Fertilizer costs continue to be on many grower's mind this year. While planting is still underway across much of the state, corn growers may soon be considering side-dressing nitrogen. The Michigan State University Extension Field Crops Virtual Breakfast on May 19 will feature Kurt Steinke, MSU soil fertility and nutrient management specialist, discussing factors to consider regarding side-dressing nitrogen to corn.
In-season nitrogen (N) applications can be used to better synchronize nitrogen availability with corn N uptake. However, weather patterns play an integral role in nitrogen losses through volatilization, leaching and denitrification and may impact the need for sidedress N. With in-season N applications, growers can mitigate yield losses due to weather patterns. Although side-dressing N may not take the place of early-season at-plant nitrogen applications, this practice can help ensure nitrogen availability at the time when corn needs a greater amount of nitrogen (V6-V14).
Following Kurt Steinke's 20-minute presentation, MSU Extension climatologist Jeff Andresen will present a 15-minute weather summary and forecast. One RUP credit and one CCA credit will be awarded following the presentations. A question and answer period will follow until 8 a.m. Other MSU Extension specialists and educators will be available for discussion.
Sign up for the Field Crops Virtual Breakfast at https://bit.ly/3N7uT1p
MSU Extension Field Crops Virtual Breakfast sessions are held every week during the growing season via Zoom. These virtual meetings take place every Thursday morning from 7 to 8 a.m. through Sept. 22. The Virtual Breakfast Series is flexible, fluid and able to adapt when issues arise due to unforeseen growing conditions. There will be an open 25-minute Q&A session following the presentations with MSU specialists and educators. Participants are encouraged to log into the Zoom link five minutes prior to the start time for a tech check and receive announcements.
Participating is easy and free! You can join the live meeting via Zoom using a computer, tablet, mobile device or regular phone line. If you are new to Zoom, simply download the Zoom app and you will be ready to join online every week to see visuals shared by presenters. A call-in by phone option is also available but note that you will only hear the audio portion.
Participants must sign up to receive an email notification with instructions for joining the Virtual Breakfast. You only need to do this once and you will receive the Zoom link and call-in phone number, as well as weekly reminders every Wednesday and Thursday. Participants receiving emails can opt in or out at any time.
If you cannot participate in the live session at 7 a.m., you can view the recorded version at any time. However, only the live session will be eligible for RUP and CCA credits. Recordings will be closed-captioned and available at the Field Crops Virtual Breakfast webpage and the MSU Extension Field Crops Team social media platforms: Facebook, Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts and Twitter.
If you are unable to sign up online, call the Lapeer County MSU Extension office at 810-667-0341.
Categories: Michigan, Crops, Corn