It’s been a rough fall for many. A fight to the finish to complete harvest, let alone tillage and fertilizer applications. That means many of us are facing a time crunch this spring to catch up and set the stage for a successful spring planting season. For growers that didn’t get their traditional fall nitrogen program executed, there are some attractive options.

Add nitrogen application to your planter
There is no better time to apply a base level of nitrogen than at planting time. Banding nitrogen with the planter ensures that nitrogen is available to the plant as roots develop. And because we can band adjacent to the seed trench, we benefit from placing the nitrogen right over the root zone. New tools, like 360 BANDIT, apply nitrogen on both sides of the row and an inch below the surface. As moisture moves that nitrogen into the soil profile and root zone, plants are nourished and, even at high application rates, the diluted nitrogen won’t damage germination or roots.

Add side-dress to your nitrogen program
If you’ve resisted the trend toward split application of nitrogen, this might be the year to give it a try. Corn uses 75% of its nitrogen after v10. Side dressing moves the application closer to the rapid uptake period and minimizes the risk of loss. Side dressing also allows you to adjust application rates to match the growing season. Excessive rain fall that has flushed early nitrogen? Increase rates to replenish the soil profile. Drought? Reduce rates and save input costs. Good mineralization? Pull back on the final application and take advantage of the “free” nitrates from Mother Nature.

Save a pass. Boost yield potential.
Time will be in short supply this spring as we catch up on delayed fall tasks. Shifting nitrogen applications to the planter and side dress can eliminate a time-consuming pass and reduce risks from spring anhydrous ammonia burn. But banding nitrogen and shifting to a side dress application system can also increase yields. Tests by 360 YIELD CENTER have shown significant yield response from banding nitrogen with the planter compared to broadcast nitrogen. And shifting to a sidedress application with 360 Y-DROP has shown a consistent six-bushel response compared to coulter sidedress applications. Find the details on these tests at https://www.360yieldresults.com/

Improvement can come from adversity
The challenging harvest and tillage season is making many growers look for alternative fertilizer plans. Luckily there are options that can improve nitrogen efficiency and save time and application costs. Learn more about these options at https://www.360yieldcenter.com/