Attendees at MN Ag Expo, Jan. 22-22 in Mankato, will learn how their peers applied on-farm research with assistance from the Minnesota Corn Innovation Grant Program.

Farmers attending to talk about their findings include:

Brian Velde, Wood Lake. Velde installed a state-of-the-art drip irrigation in a 58-acre plot on his farm, allowing him to spoon-feed his crop with both water and nitrogen. The system included a pressurized drip-tape, buried 14 inches below the surface and spaced at five-foot intervals that was split into six zones controlled by in-ground moisture sensors and above-ground plant temperature sensors.

With Velde’s 30-inch crop rows, the five-foot spacing of the irrigation lines, placed in the middle of every second row, provided water and nutrients within 15 inches of growing corn.

Al Krusemark, Fairmont. Krusemark is focusing on improving precision application rates of injected liquid hog manure to meeting phosphorus needs while minimizing the risk of nitrogen losses. The intention is to test the nutrient analysis of hog manure in order to adjust application rate on a load-by-load basis with a goal of applying the manure using a variable rate prescription.

Sam Peterson, Northfield. Peterson is testing variable rate technology programs on his various soils to see which VRT program works better on specific soils. He also is looking at how each VRT program adapts to precipitation and ambient air temperature.

Jacob Sharkley. Sharkley investigated different testing techniques for nitrates following the removal of a corn crop. He sampled techniques at depths of 0-6 inches, 6-24 inches and 24-48 inches. After analyzing the results, he hoped to determine which technique would be best to use for fertilization of corn, sugarbeets and another specialty crops that require nitrate management following the harvest of a corn crop.

Brock Olson, Goodhue County. Olson developed a crop rotation that included winter rye that significantly reduced nitrate loss and soil erosion compared to the traditional corn-soybean rotation while maintaining profitability. By adding a crop that is harvested in late July, Olson saw multiple benefits: less soil and nutrient loss, built-up soil organic matter and additional nitrogen in the root zone.

On the second day of MN Ag Expo, Jan. 23, University of Minnesota researchers will be on-hand to chat with farmers about their projects supported by the corn check-off. Researchers in attendance, and the topics they will be discussing, include:

Melissa Wilson. Evaluating management practices for integrating cover crops into manure that make cover crops more successful.

Candice Hirsch. Using drones and sensors to evaluate expression of genotypes within and across different environments throughout the growing season to identify the variations that allow corn to thrive in northern climates.

Jeff Vetsch. Evaluated the effectiveness of cover crops as a nitrate reduction strategy in northern climates.

John Baker. Researching perennial living mulches that can be established within cropped fields and managed so that they support continued row crop production while benefitting the environment.

Tim Griffis. Experimenting with management techniques that have the potential to reduce nitrogen losses under changing climate conditions.

Corn and soybean farmers have until Jan. 10 to pre-register and avoid lines at the door. On-site registration will also be available.

Source: Minnesota Corn, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.