Sidedress ROI: 3 Tips for Success
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2024’s wet spring followed by a tough fall that made field work challenging, was a reminder of the unpredictability of farming and more specifically, fertilizer applications. Farmers are often left wondering what the best management strategy for nitrogen is, and with its variable nature, high input costs and importance to crop development, the stakes are high.
To ensure corn has the right amount of nitrogen at the right time, Andrew Luzum, nitrogen stabilizer strategic account manager, Corteva Agriscience, shares three considerations and tips for successful sidedress applications this season.
- Application type. Luzum says to improve nitrogen use efficiency, consider a banded or incorporated sidedress application approach.
“Choosing the right method depends on soil conditions, nitrogen source, weather and equipment,” Luzum says. “Typically, banded applications work well in no-till fields, while incorporation is often better for minimizing nitrogen losses, especially in dry conditions.” - Right timing. Corn takes up the majority of its nitrogen from V6 to VT, so it’s important even with sidedress nitrogen that it is in the root zone during this time. Today’s corn hybrids still require roughly 80% of their nitrogen to be in the plant by tassel so this is the optimum time for the corn crop to use the nitrogen.
“If you’re planning to sidedress, I recommend up to the V8 growth stages and using a quality nitrogen stabilizer,” Luzum says. “This is an efficient time to get nitrogen into the corn plant and ensure nitrogen is still there when the plant needs it.”
Some farmers may think there’s no need to stabilize sidedress applications because they’re so close to plant uptake. However, when soil temperatures are 70 F, it only takes nine days for nitrogen to fully convert to nitrate form. Stabilizing below-ground nitrogen for even a few weeks can increase nitrogen availability through warm soils and wet weather for a better return on investment (ROI) potential. - Right rates. With later-season sidedress applications, growers can adjust rates based on nitrate test results and spring precipitation. Nitrogen continues to be a costly input, so sidedress is especially beneficial for farmers to ensure they put down the right rate of nitrogen.
“We recommend including a nitrogen stabilizer, such as Instinct NXTGEN with your sidedress nitrogen applications,” Luzum says. “We’re seeing an 85% win rate with a half rate of Instinct NXTGN at sidedress applications and getting an average return of up to 5 bushels in recent trials.”
“Sidedress applications can provide great ROI potential at the most optimum application timing to make sure corn is getting the right amount of nitrogen it needs,” Luzum says. “Corteva field trials over the last decade show a 4-bushel-per-acre advantage on fields sidedressed with 12 ounces of Instinct NXTGEN when compared with untreated fields. At 4 bushels per acre, even at $3.50 corn, that’s still doubling your money.”
To learn more, listen in to this Farm 4 Profit podcast segment featuring Luzum or visit NitrogenStabilizers.com for more data verifying Instinct NXTGEN® and N-Serve® nitrogen stabilizers pay.
Instinct NXTGEN® is not registered for sale or use in all states. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your state. Do not fall-apply anhydrous ammonia south of Highway 16 in the state of Illinois. Always read and follow label directions.