Nutrient management : article
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Some gardeners take a hands-off approach to leaves. But leaves left on lawns can pack down into a tight mat, preventing sunlight from reaching the grass, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Leaves also trap and hold moisture, which increases the…
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension agronomist Wayne Flanary says 2025 likely will be a year when corn producers need to batten down the hatches to offset low sale prices and high input costs.
Delayed nitrogen for cool-season forages now has little chance to boost fall growth and risks nitrate buildup or fertilizer loss under dry conditions.
Farmers may save on fertilizer in 2025 by reducing phosphorus, potassium, or lime on medium- to high-testing soils without lowering yields.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Ashes produced by wood-burning fireplaces or stoves are an excellent example of the idiom “don’t throw out the baby with the bathwater,” says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.
Northern‐central Missouri fields face high nitrogen loss risk when applying anhydrous ammonia in fall; soil temps need to drop below 40°F.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – More farmers are looking at a practice long frowned upon: planting back-to-back soybean.Don’t do it, says University of Missouri Extension soybean specialist Bill Wiebold. Expect lower yields and higher erosion if you don’t rotate soybean with corn. Risk of disease, insects and…
Learn how to manage fall nitrogen applications for corn, balancing risks and weather conditions to optimize yields and minimize losses.
COLUMBIA, Mo.—Bioenergy crops can be a good match for areas of fields that have lost productivity.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Not all topsoil is created equal.
COLUMBIA, Mo.– Nutrient loads can cause problems with water quality. That’s why the Missouri Nutrient Reduction Strategy Committee is working to decrease the amount of nutrients that end up in the Mississippi River.
Soils are drier than last year, prompting farmers to adjust tilling, cover crops, and planting strategies to conserve moisture and protect yields.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Farmers who rely on surface-applied nitrogen may have difficulty if they apply to fields with high surface residue, says University of Missouri Extension nutrient management specialist John Lory.
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COLUMBIA, Mo. – Sensor-guided nitrogen application can save corn producers money and increase yields, says Peter Scharf, University of Missouri Extension soil scientist.
Yes, of course wheat needs N in fall. Timely planting and decent fall tillering are very important to wheat yield potential. And adequate N supports that tillering.But soil has N, regardless of whether you put any there. Is it enough, or not enough, to maximize wheat yield potential?
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Yield potential drops when corn is not planted at the right depth, says University of Missouri Extension corn specialist Greg Luce.The right planting depth improves the chance of a good stand, Luce says.
Free wood ashes boost calcium, phosphorus and potassium, helping raise garden soil pH safely—avoid ashes from cardboard, trash, coal or treated wood.
Test your garden soil before adding fertilizer to avoid waste, nutrient imbalance, and poor plant growth.
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. – After spring planting, farmers often put soil fertility on the back burner to concentrate on protecting crops from insects, diseases and weeds. This can be a costly mistake, said a University of Missouri Extension agronomy specialist.
Dung beetles enhance pastures by recycling nutrients, improving soil, and controlling pests.
Explore cost analysis of owning drones for agricultural spraying to determine if buying or hiring is more cost-effective.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Rain makes grass grow. That’s good for grazing livestock, but makes haying difficult.Craig Roberts, University of Missouri Extension forage specialist, sees unusual potential for cattle producers.
Applying nitrogen to corn in fall raises risk of loss before the plant can use it, especially in warmer soils.
The success of next year’s garden is influenced greatly by fall cleanup. Garden cleanup does more than just improve the appearance of the garden during the mundane, lifeless months of winter. It reduces the amount of disease inoculum and insect infestation that might remain.
Turn fallen leaves and faded garden plants into nutrient-rich compost for a healthier garden and easier seasonal cleanup.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Newly made spring hay finally being baled in June may be toxic for cattle. Hold off on feeding new hay, says Craig Roberts, University of Missouri Extension forage specialist.The longer the hay can be stored after baling, the less toxic it becomes.
Frost seeding legumes boosts pasture yield, cattle health, and reduces fertilizer costs in Missouri fields.
Free online tool helps farmers plan nitrogen application for better yields and reduced environmental impact.
Frost seeding legumes boosts pasture yield and quality, reduces fertilizer needs, and supports livestock health and grazing profits.
Frost seeding legumes boosts pasture quality, yield, and soil health by adding diversity early in the growing season.
STOCKTON, Mo. – Add legumes to grazing pastures to improve cow performance, soil health and forage production, says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist in Cedar County.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – If a little is good, a lot must be better.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mulches benefit gardens throughout the year, but they are particularly helpful during the heat of summer, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.
Learn how simple diagnostic tools and soil management practices can improve crop health, increase yields, and optimize harvest decisions.
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BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. — Recent rains have given producers hope that they will be able to plant wheat this fall. Producers may be looking to plant wheat not only for a grain crop but also to provide some fall and early spring grazing, says a University of Missouri Extension agronomy specialist.
Ensure healthy lawns and gardens by choosing topsoil with the right texture, pH, and organic matter for optimal plant growth.
ST. PETERS, Mo. – A high tunnel workshop will be held 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, at the University of Missouri Extension Center in St. Charles County, 260 Brown Road, St. Peters.
Stockpile Missouri pastures by fertilizing now and delaying grazing to save hay and boost forage quality through winter.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Drones are higher in quality and lower in price than they were just a few years ago when farmers began using them, says University of Missouri Extension natural resources engineer Kent Shannon.
COLUMBIA, Mo. — They have intriguing names such as hairy vetch, pearl millet and birdsfoot trefoil. Collectively known as cover crops or green manure, they've been used for years to increase soil productivity by fixing atmospheric nitrogen into soil, making it available for cash crops such as corn…
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Use of in-season nitrogen on corn has increased in Missouri and surrounding states over the past 10 years. What used to be rare is now common. Some of these applications are planned, but others are to give corn yields a boost when wet weather causes nitrogen loss.
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. - While the harvest of corn and soybean is underway, perennial crops such as alfalfa begin the cold-hardening process. Producers can increase the ability of plants to withstand cold temperatures by implementing several key strategies, said a University of Missouri Extension…
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Soil tests can save farmers thousands of dollars, says Manjula Nathan, director of the University of Missouri Soil and Plant Testing Laboratory.
Rainfall affects hay quality, yield, and digestibility. Learn when rained-on hay can still be useful and why testing is important.
Learn why legumes like clover improve forage, boost nitrogen, balance pH, and support soil test recommendations.
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. – If you’ve sent a pasture or hay soil test through your University of Missouri Extension Center, you’ve been asked what kind of forage you have.
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COLUMBIA, Mo. – Longtime University of Missouri researcher Tim Reinbott will speak on soil health and its increasingly important role during drought at the 2025 Missouri Crop Management Conference, Dec. 9-10 in Columbia.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Farmers understand fertilizer prices fluctuate with time.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mother Nature has not been kind to Missouri agriculture in 2021, says University of Missouri Extension soybean specialist Bill Wiebold.
Learn how mowing or composting leaves can enrich soil, control disease, and support healthier lawns and gardens.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri agronomists found corn and soybean yields increase by 20 percent or more when they use drainage control systems, said Kelly Nelson, MU Extension agronomist at the Greenley Research Center, Novelty.
GALENA, Mo. – If there was ever a time to do a soil test, this is it, says University of Missouri Extension agronomist Tim Schnakenberg.
Rising fertilizer prices make it too expensive to guess on how to apply nutrients, says Schnakenberg.
Learn how cover crops can boost pollinator populations, support wildlife, and improve soil and farm productivity.
Researchers study pig manure as a corn fertilizer to compare yields, soil nutrients, and environmental effects in a multistate project.
Farmers get guidance and cost-share help to convert cropland to pasture using rotational grazing and conservation practices.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri is part of a $6.6 million research initiative to promote soil health through cover crops.
COLUMBIA, Mo.— The University of Missouri has received a Conservation Innovation Grant from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to fund a three-year study of nutrient management.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – For now, the University of Missouri Soil and Plant Testing Laboratory remains open.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension is looking for farmers to participate in fertilizer trials as part of the “MU Certified” Strip Trial Program.
MOUNT VERNON, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension forage researchers studied the effects of treated urea products on soil fertility, forage yield and quality.This information can help producers control risk on nitrogen investments, improve tall fescue forage yields and improve water quality.
Poultry litter may boost soybean yields, adding nutrients and organic matter, especially in eroded or low-fertility soils.
Mulch conserves moisture, suppresses weeds, and enriches soil. Use 2–4 inches of organic mulch like pine bark or grass clippings for best results.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Sometimes it pays to be late.Nitrogen application is one of those times, says University of Missouri Extension nutrient management specialist Peter Scharf.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Producers who don’t plan, watch and act for nitrogen deficiencies in their corn will lose green in their crop and at the bank, says a University of Missouri Extension plant scientist.
Nitrogen boosts fescue yields but raises toxins, so manage fertilizer carefully to protect animal health.
Plan wheat management by growth stage for fertilization, weed control, and disease scouting this winter and early spring.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Information in the digital age is like porridge in the tale “Goldilocks and the Three Bears.” How do you know what is too much, too little, just right – or maybe not right at all?
Excess rainfall can pond in fields, damaging corn and soybean seedlings and reducing crop yield.
LINNEUS, Mo.– Heavy rainfall throughout much of Missouri on July 2 may have lessened worries about drought damage in pastures, but one good rain won’t undo the damage to mismanaged pastures during two straight years of drought, according to two University of Missouri Extension specialists based at…
Rising potash prices make proper application more critical than ever. Learn why soil tests and nutrient balance matter to sustain high yields.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – A University of Missouri Extension beef nutrition specialist counsels farmers to prepare for grass tetany season in March.
COLUMBIA, Mo.– When it comes to corn seeding rates, sometimes less is more.Planting more seeds per acre in an effort to maximize yields won’t always maximize your return on investment, says Brent Myers, University of Missouri Extension corn specialist.
Learn how soil testing can help farmers apply fertilizer more precisely, cut costs and protect the environment.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The second annual Mid-Mo Expo for backyard gardeners and small farmers offers presentations and demonstrations to improve productivity and profits.
PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. – When fertilizer was cheap, it made sense for farmers to be generous with nitrogen. With today’s prices, producers want to keep fertilizer costs down without reducing yield.
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. - On a per-acre basis, home lawns affect streams, rivers and lakes more than most farming operations, said a University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist. However, homeowners can be more environmentally responsible by managing stormwater runoff and using proper lawn…
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Submitting soil samples to your local University of Missouri Extension center is easy, says Manjula Nathan, director of the MU Soil and Plant Testing Laboratory.
COLUMBIA, Mo.– Many garden and home-improvement stores offer a seemingly endless selection of fertilizers.
Justin Calhoun joins the Delta Research Center to advance soils and cropping systems research in southeastern Missouri.
Test corn nitrogen rates effectively with on-farm strip trials to optimize yields and manage fertilizer costs.
ROCK PORT, Mo. – A four-year study by University of Missouri Extension seeks to find how cover crops can best benefit soils after flooding and prevented planting.
KEYTESVILLE, Mo. – Farmers need more research showing cover crops increase yields, reduce erosion and add nutrients back to the soil in corn-soybean rotation before they adopt the practice, says University of Missouri researcher Ranjith Udawatta.
As I write this on October 6, USDA estimates that 80% of Missouri corn and more than 75% of Missouri soybeans are in excellent or good condition. This is the best in the past 5 years for both crops.
COLUMBIA, Mo.– With winter wheat coming closer to green-up, producers need to consider fertilizer management options. A University of Missouri Extension nutrient management specialist says proper timing of fertilizer application is important.
NEVADA, Mo. – “I brought it up to test.” University of Missouri Extension agronomist Pat Miller often hears that when farmers talk about crop fertilizer applications.
“I do not think it means what you think it means,” Miller says, quoting the movie “The Princess Bride.”
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. – Farmers have long used poultry litter as a source of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. A ton of poultry litter contains roughly 55 pounds of nitrogen, 55 pounds of phosphate and 45 pounds of potash. Buying these nutrients in commercial form would cost about $75 at today’s…
Volunteers help track water clarity and nutrients in Missouri’s lakes, providing vital data to protect ecosystems and local communities.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Increases in fertilizer prices add to the cost of growing forage for grazing. This leads farmers to ask if they should buy hay or fertilizer, says University of Missouri Extension nutrient management specialist John Lory.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The yellow leaves on corn plants means one thing. Nitrogen fertilizer applied last fall or early this spring is gone. It washed deep into the soil, beyond reach of the young roots.