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Adjusting your nutrient management plan

Pictured: Iowa farmer Nathan Anderson at the 2025 Practical Farmers of Iowa Conference (Photo by Brent Barnett/Brownfield)

A northwest Iowa farmer says he’s looking at some changes to his nutrient management plan.

Nathan Anderson says he’s been collecting data for several years. “We learned a lot about the impacts that those different growing seasons have on our management and what things we can do management wise to still raise a good crop in conditions like this.”

He tells Brownfield he plans to supplement some nitrogen if conditions are wetter than expected. “When we have a lot of rain in May and June, we know some of that nitrogen that we have out there is probably not going to be there and not in the root zone. Having that planned side dress is a really good thing, and being flexible in the method of application so that we can get that out there.”

Anderson says other changes include, “Using sulfur in that application. Grazing management that is flexible. When we’ve got cows out on grass whether it’s dry at the end of the season or wet at the beginning of the season, we can adapt and put those cows in a position where they can be healthy and raise a good calf.”

He spoke to Brownfield at the recent Practical Farmers of Iowa conference in Des Moines.