CEO of SST Software and agX. âYet, there are so many .... 1. Use accurate data. To estimate expected yield use three t
t e c h n o l o g y By Laurie Bedord, Advanced Technology Editor
Research findings
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When calculating nitrogen recommendations, Adapt-N takes into account a number of variables tied to a farm field including soil type, nutrient level, and past crops.
MAKING TRACKS SOFTWARE LETS YOU BETTER MANAGE NITROGEN’S FOOTPRINT IN YOUR SOIL AS WELL AS THE ENVIRONMENT.
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hy is managing nitrogen so challenging? “Because it’s arguably the most important decision when raising a crop,” says Matt Waits, CEO of SST Software and agX. “Yet, there are so many uncontrollable factors to deal with that nitrogen management quickly becomes a very emotional decision. This results in most growers hedging to the side of over application to ensure desired yields.” While common sense may tell you that if your goal is maximum yield, and there’s a decent margin to cover that bet, then nitrogen should be unlimited. “Unfortunately, when nitrogen is applied at rates above crop demand, it is easily lost to the environment potentially causing issues,” says Brian Arnall, Associate Professor, Oklahoma State University. “Yet, recommending less nitrogen than traditionally applied can create a fear of loss or a feeling of being at risk.” When margins are tight, the grower may take the opposite stance. “If he is told to apply more, it is hard for him to see the economic value,” he says. In reality, the actual need for nitrogen, he says, is guided by a major factor that is out of the farmer’s control – weather. “Nitrogen in the soil is driven by organic matter and the amount of nitrogen released by or tied up by organic matter,” Arnall explains. “Both are driven by weather. It can increase the amount
xx Successful Farming at Agriculture.com | April 2017
of nitrogen lost via leaching and denitrification. Weather can also impact how well nitrogen is used.” Rate, source, method, timing and placement also impact how efficiently it is used. “All of these factors play into a grower needing to apply anywhere between 0.5 to 1.5 lbs. of nitrogen per bushel of corn from season to season and across a landscape,” he says. based on science o minimize risk of yield loss for corn, companies like Indiana-based ForeFront Ag Solutions are deploying tools like Adapt-N to help growers benchmark and track nitrogen applications through-
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n a four-year study (2011 to 2014) conducted by Cornell University, researchers explored the economic and environmental benefits of Adapt-N. “In 113 trials conducted in New York and Iowa, we found win-win opportunities for both the producers and the environment,” says Aaron Ristow, Extension Associate, Cornell University. In 83% of the trials, Adapt-N recommended a lower nitrogen application than the respective grower rate with a 40 lbs./acre (34%) average reduction. At the same time, the average profit increased by $26/acre. “In terms of environmental losses, we found an average reduction of 36% in simulated leaching losses and a 39% reduction in gaseous losses to the atmosphere,” he says. “Overall, adoption of a dynamic tool like Adapt-N can contribute to the efforts to reduce the environmental costs of nitrogen fertilization while increasing the economic benefits to growers.” Adapt-N also includes N-Insight, which is designed to assess the financial and environmental impact of nitrogen. This free software is targeted to ag service providers so they can quickly evaluate the value of using precision nitrogen management tools. “N-Insight was built on Adapt-N and is a conversation starter between growers and agronomists. It helps growers understand how to adapt to in-season weather conditions, how soil conditions impact N loss, and how changes in management practice may improve yield and environmental performance,” explains Ristow. A cloud-based platform, Adapt-N is highly scalable and ready for rapid adoption, Ristow adds. It is currently available in 35 states.
Photography: Courtesy of Agronomic Technology Corporation
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5 tips for accurate N recommendations
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“The complexity of the nitrogen cycle and how it is in a constant state of flux has always made managing nitrogen difficult,” says Matt Waits, CEO of SST Software and agX.
out the growing season. Developed by Cornell University and offered through Agronomic Technology Corporation, Adapt-N is an independent cloud-based software program that is scientificallydriven to calculate the nitrogen needs of corn at sidedress time. “Adapt-N considers 15+ factors in the algorithm,” says Erich Eller, ForeFront Ag Solutions. It takes into account the farmer’s management practices, key information about field and soil integrated with systems like SST, and real-time weather data. It then prescribes a flat or variable rate nitrogen
“There are so many uncontrollable factors to deal with that nitrogen management quickly becomes a very emotional decision for growers.” -Matt Waits xx Successful Farming at Agriculture.com | April 2017
recommendation. When using Adapt-N’s variable rate recommendation, Eller says every field is a trial. “We are able to track, by management zone, the amount applied and the return on investment versus yield,” he says. “We identify management zones because each zone has a different ability to utilize nitrogen and produce bushels. Typically, the return on investment of variable rate compared to a straight rate of nitrogen is a $20 to $30 per acre advantage.” Some fields show an even greater return. For example, he ran a trial where 99 lbs. of nitrogen out yielded 200 lbs. of nitrogen by four bushels. “Each trial was replicated across a field adding up to about 20 acres per rate,” Eller says. “It was about a $50 per acre savings.” “We can’t say Adapt-N recommends more or less nitrogen, as this varies field by field and season by season,” says Greg Levow, Agronomic Technology Corporation president and chief operating officer. “We can say that it helps a farmer apply nitrogen where it’s needed, when it’s needed, even down to a 60x60 foot spot in the field.” get ahead of regulations ools like Adapt-N are providing valuable information about nitrogen losses and plant uptake, says Arnall. “This is allowing producers to refine their nitro-
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ornell University researchers recommend the five pointers below to ensure you get the most accurate Adapt-N recommendations. 1. Use accurate data. To estimate expected yield use three to five years of accurate yield information. 2. Better manage manure. Reduce the margin of error associated with manure applications by using representative manure test results from actual manure inputs. 3. Take zone-specific soil samples. Determine an accurate organic matter content value, ideally to a 12-inch depth, by taking management zonespecific soil samples at least every three years. 4. Define management zones. Create field locations by distinct management zones. Define zones using several factors including soil type, historical yield data, and organic matter content. 5. Coordinate software and application. If possible, run Adapt-N on the date of sidedress. “By basing recommendations closest to the date of sidedress, local weather conditions are accounted for and thus, the tool improves nitrogen use efficiency,” says Aaron Ristow, Cornell University extension associate. In addition, use the daily alert feature to receive updated recommendations automatically on all fields.
gen rate recommendations beyond yield goals and management zones based upon past harvest.” “It is allowing us the ability to apply the right rate at the right time,” says Eller. “This decreases the chances of over applying, which leads to improved return on investment and less impact on the environment.” “Regulations could some day set hard limits on nitrogen application rates without taking into account variations in fields, practices, and weather, which inherently cause different rates to be needed in different circumstances,” says Levow. “Adoption of Adapt-N can help farmers get ahead of regulations. It can demonstrate they are farming responsibly and that such regulations would be detrimental and unnecessary.” Photography: Gil Gullickson
