Tips For Fall Anhydrous Application

We are starting to reach the point in the season where the combines are starting to slow down, and for some growers, they are starting to begin preparing for the next crop year by making their fall fertilizer applications.

While fall nitrogen applications might not make the most sense for all regions, if you do apply nitrogen in the fall, it is important to make sure that you are protecting your investment by reducing the risk of nitrogen loss. Below are some tips to help you protect your nitrogen application this fall:

Watch the Weather

When making fall applications, it is important for soil temperatures to be 50 degrees Fahrenheit at a 4-inch depth and cooling, before making anhydrous applications. If soil temperatures are above 50 degrees Fahrenheit, microbial activity can lead to the conversion of ammonium to nitrate, which can lead to increased chances of nitrate loss. If the ground temperatures are too cold or near freezing, the chance of nutrients getting held in the soil decreases and the risk for loss increases.

Protect your Investment

When applying anhydrous, consider adding a nitrogen stabilizer to your nitrogen when making the application. Nitrogen stabilizers have been proven to improve your nitrogen use efficiency since it makes more nitrogen available for plant uptake, which can lead to improved yields. When using a nitrogen stabilizer, it helps to hold nitrogen in the top 12-inches of the soil, so it is not lost to the forms of nitrogen loss.

Consider your Soil Type 

Fall anhydrous application should not be made to sandier soils because the soil type is more prone to leaching. When applying nitrogen in the fall, growers should be applying the product primarily to deep, medium- to heavy-textured soils where water movement is slower.

If you are considering applying nitrogen this fall, contact your agronomy account manager to learn more and discuss what products will work best for your geography.