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Importance of spring nitrogen stabilizers

A nutrient management specialist is stressing the importance of spring nitrogen stabilizers.

John Stoffer with Corteva Agriscience tells Brownfield most farmers understand the need for N stabilization in the fall.

“However, many of those farmers will tell me they don’t need to stabilize in the spring or at side-dress just because nitrogen is applied so close to the corn, and the corn will be utilizing it at that time.”

He says many growers assume the risk of loss isn’t as great in the spring.

“This couldn’t be further from the truth, nitrogen is vulnerable to loss no matter when it’s applied. In fact, heavy rains and rising temperatures are two of the biggest factors that can drive leaching and denitrification.”

Stoffer also reminds farmers that some of the higher-yielding corn hybrids take up nearly 40 percent of their needed nitrogen post-tassel, and he says using a proven nitrogen stabilizer is just as beneficial in the spring as in the fall.