Dan Kaiser, Univ. of Minnesota Extension nutrient management specialist, explains what base saturation is and what the current research says about it when it comes to managing crop inputs.

“Ultimately, good nitrogen management is about adapting, both to your field’s characteristics and to the season’s unpredictability,” says Bill Long, Pioneer field agronomist.

The Hutchisons' use of variable-rate nitrogen applications onto crops are split up through the growing season to boost yields while reducing the potential for runoff. To further protect water quality, they practice mulch and strip-till practices, have installed grassed waterways and buffers, and have completed wetland restoration projects and forest management.

Nick Preissler is a realist regarding the future of nitrogen use, knowing that restrictions could happen at some point. That’s why his goal is to grow profitable corn using 0.5 pounds nitrogen per bushel—cutting old recommendations in half.