Many producers could benefit by using starter fertilizer when planting corn. Starter fertilizer is simply the placement of some fertilizer, usually nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), near the seed - which "jump starts" growth in the spring.

After talking with many farmers throughout Ohio during this year’s Extension meetings, one common question keeps popping up: What about nitrogen application to soybean? Yes, soybean plants have high nitrogen requirements due to the high protein content of grain. On average, approximately 4 pounds of nitrogen is removed per bushel of grain. (Corn only removes approximately 1 pound of nitrogen per bushel of grain.) Soybean nitrogen requirements are met through both nitrogen-fixing bacteria (Bradyrhizobia) and residual/mineralized soil nitrogen.

Some producers are taking advantage of frozen ground conditions to apply nitrogen to wheat fields or manure to corn fields.

Fertilizers are so well known to improve yield potential. Since WWII, farmers have applied commercial and/or organic products to grow crops.

Poultry litter can provide a significant and important supply of nutrients for crop production in areas where a supply of litter is available. Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma rank among the largest producers of poultry in the U.S.

Corn and soybean harvest continues to move along in Illinois, and as the 2013 crops come off, thoughts turn to fall fertilization. In this article we'll discuss nutrients other than nitrogen. This will be followed soon by an article on nitrogen.

New technology developed by The University of Nottingham enables crops to take nitrogen from the air rather than expensive and environmentally damaging fertilizers.

Is there a fallow period in your crop rotation after wheat harvest? If so, you have an excellent opportunity to seed various legume cover crop species to supply nitrogen (N) to your following crop.

The Corn Nitrogen Rate Calculator is an online tool that allows determination of nitrogen (N) application rates for corn production and is helpful in determining the effect of fertilizer and corn price on needed rates. The method for calculating suggested N rates is based on a regional (Corn Belt) approach to N rate guidelines.

One of more interesting things I've learned about strip-till is how the practice can vary from farmer to farmer, depending on their years of experience. While there are principles to adhere to — noted by Illinois strip-tiller Alan Madison in this edition's feature story — there's also no textbook way to strip-till.