In Ontario, as the calendar turns to late June, producers typically focus on nitrogen management as crops enter their rapid growth period. But what happens in the fields in mid-June 2024 will depend a lot on where you farm in the province and whether you were able to avoid back-to-back rains and plant your corn at the right time.
Ben Rosser, corn manager for the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, said there is extreme variation in growth stages across the province, with some growers continuing to struggle to plant corn while other fields are finally emerging and starting to grow, in contrast to earlier planted crops that are starting to close out rows.
This variability means farmers need to evaluate their fields individually to determine corn’s nitrogen needs, Rosser said. Real Agriculture Corn SchoolRosser is looking at the impact of environmental conditions, including heavy rainfall in some areas, and how that affects nitrogen mineralization, potential losses and availability to crops.
Rosser and his ministry colleague, soil fertility specialist Colin Elzey, are telling growers that optimal nitrogen rates for corn are likely to be slightly higher than normal, on average, in 2024. This assumes growers base their planned nitrogen applications on current expected yields and economics.
Elzy says it’s important to note that applying more nitrogen to late-planted corn won’t make up for lost growing seasons. If a month’s delay in planting reduces projected yields, he says, you should consider adjusting your nitrogen application rate to maintain optimal corn profitability. Check out the video below:
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