All about cover crops: Lower seeding rates, weed control, advice for farmers & more

It's December and we're rounding out the year with an in-depth discussion on cover crops here on the Nutrient Management Podcast. What are panelists' observations regarding covers with lower seeding rates? What are some pros and cons relating to erosion or nutrient uptake? Does planting early at a lower seed rate vs. planting later with a higher seed rate result in the same outcome? What are some weed control characteristics of cover crops? What advice do our panelists have for farmers new to cover crops? What kinds of state and local resources are available for growers? All this and lots more on today's show so be sure to tune in.Guests:Anna Cates, Extension soil health specialist (St. Paul)Ryan Beutow, Minnesota NRCS State Agronomist (St. Paul)Eric Yu, Extension educator (Farmington)Additional Resources:UMN Cover Crops row cropsUMN Cover crops in vegetablesCover crop AcademyMN Agronomy Technical Note 33Single species cereal rye cover crop implementation requirementsCover Crop Termination GuidelinesMN NRCS Cover Crop Design ToolMidwest Cover Crop CouncilSARE Managing Cover Crops ProfitablyMN Field Office Technical Guide folder on cover crops--- For the latest nutrient management information, subscribe to the Nutrient Management Podcast. And don't forget to subscribe to the Minnesota Crop News daily or weekly email newsletter, subscribe to our YouTube channel, like UMN Extension Nutrient Management on Facebook, follow us on X (formerly twitter), and visit our website.If you have questions or comments, please email us at [email protected] for the Nutrient Management Podcast is provided by Minnesota's fertilizer tonnage fee through the Agricultural Fertilizer Research & Education Council (AFREC). Learn more at MNsoilfertility.com.

Today on the Nutrient Management Podcast we're turning our attention to micronutrients. What does current research tell us about micronutrients - for corn specifically - that growers need to consider? Boron is another important micronutrient in Minnesota. What should farmers be aware of regarding boron? Is tissue sampling the answer to help predict where some of these micronutrients are needed? What are other important micronutrient takeaways? All this and much more on today's episode. Guests & Contact Info:Jeff Vetsch, U of M researcher (Waseca) - email: [email protected] Kaiser, Extension nutrient management specialist (St. Paul) - email: [email protected] Rosen, Extension nutrient management specialist (St. Paul) - email: [email protected] Resources:Micro- and secondary macronutrientsUnderstanding plant analysis for cropsZinc for crop productionAre you overspending on fertilizer?Is boron deficiency a problem for crops in Minnesota?---For the latest nutrient management information, subscribe to the Nutrient Management Podcast. And don't forget to subscribe to the Minnesota Crop News daily or weekly email newsletter, subscribe to our YouTube channel, like UMN Extension Nutrient Management on Facebook, follow us on X (formerly twitter), and visit our website.If you have questions or comments, please email us at [email protected] for the Nutrient Management Podcast is provided by Minnesota's fertilizer tonnage fee through the Agricultural Fertilizer Research & Education Council (AFREC). Learn more at MNsoilfertility.com.

On today's episode of the Advancing Nitrogen Smart podcast, Brad and Dan talk about variable rate application - and zones in particular. What's the overall point to variable rate N application? How might an initial starting N rate be determined? How do farmers' fields and equipment introduce their own variables, and how can these variables be monitored? How should farmers think about - and plot out - field zones? What's the difference between a yield map and a zone map, and should farmers rely on yield maps for zoning purposes? Do the best yielding spots always need the most nitrogen? All of this and much more on today's show.Guests:Brad Carlson, Extension educator (Mankato)Dan Kaiser, Extension nutrient management specialist (St. Paul)Additional resources:With high nitrogen fertilizer prices and low corn prices, can you decrease your nitrogen rate for 2026? www.cornnratecalc.org (Corn Nitrogen Rate Calculator)Is variable rate nitrogen based on yield maps a good idea?Variable rate nitrogen: What are we trying to accomplish?Brad Carlson's email address: [email protected] Kaiser's email address: [email protected] the latest nutrient management information, subscribe to the Nutrient Management Podcast. And don't forget to subscribe to the Minnesota Crop News daily or weekly email newsletter, subscribe to our YouTube channel, like UMN Extension Nutrient Management on Facebook, follow us on X (formerly twitter), and visit our website.If you have questions or comments, please email us at [email protected].

This month on the Nutrient Management Podcast, we talk about a recent increase in N rate recommendations for corn. Why have these suggested nitrogen rates for corn increased over time? How are regional differences across Minnesota factored into this increase? Why does the Maximum Return to Nitrogen (MRTN) method of N rate calculation bring economics into the mix? Why should growers focus on profit instead of yield? Won't a higher nitrogen rate make our SE Minnesota water issues worse? Our panelists answer these important questions - and many more - on today's show.Guests:Jeff Vetsch, U of M researcher (Waseca)Daniel Kaiser, Extension nutrient management specialist (St. Paul)Brad Carlson, Extension educator (Mankato)Additional Resources:www.cornnratecalc.org (N Rate Calculator)Updated corn nitrogen rates: What are we currently seeing for N fertilizer requirements in Minnesota?An introduction to MRTN: Efficiencies & economics in mind2025 fall fertilizer outlook: Management tips during economic uncertaintyWith high nitrogen fertilizer prices and low corn prices, can you decrease your nitrogen rate for 2026?---For the latest nutrient management information, subscribe to the Nutrient Management Podcast. And don't forget to subscribe to the Minnesota Crop News daily or weekly email newsletter, subscribe to our YouTube channel, like UMN Extension Nutrient Management on Facebook, follow us on X (formerly twitter), and visit our website.If you have questions or comments, please email us at [email protected] for the Nutrient Management Podcast is provided by Minnesota's fertilizer tonnage fee through the Agricultural Fertilizer Research & Education Council (AFREC). Learn more at MNsoilfertility.com.

Brad Carlson and Daniel Kaiser discuss the maximum return to nitrogen method (MRTN) for determining an optimal N rate on today's episode of Advancing Nitrogen Smart Podcast. What is the MRTN and why was it created? What are differences between an N investment model versus a maximum yield model? What should farmers keep in mind while using the MRTN? Where can Minnesota farmers, producers and ag professionals find the MRTN? All this and more on today's show.Guests:Brad Carlson, Extension educator (Mankato)Dan Kaiser, Extension nutrient management specialist (St. Paul)Additional resources:www.cornnratecalc.org (N rate calculator)Are you overspending on fertilizer?Nutrient ManagementUpdated corn nitrogen rates: What are we currently seeing for N fertilizer requirements in Minnesota?For the latest nutrient management information, subscribe to the Nutrient Management Podcast. And don't forget to subscribe to the Minnesota Crop News daily or weekly email newsletter, subscribe to our YouTube channel, like UMN Extension Nutrient Management on Facebook, follow us on X (formerly twitter), and visit our website.If you have questions or comments, please email us at [email protected] Nitrogen Smart is proud to be supported by the farm families of Minnesota and their corn check-off investment through Minnesota Corn.

Dan Kaiser and Brad Carlson continue their discussion on N-fixing biostimulant products in today's episode of the Advancing Nitrogen Smart Podcast. What's the most up-to-date working definition of a crop biostimulant? On which crops are N-fixing products typically used? What is NCERA103.org, and in what ways it it a useful resource for farmers and other agricultural professionals? What are some of the different categories of nitrogen-fixing biostimulants? How should farmers be thinking about biological soil fertility products in general? All this and more on today's show.Guests:Dan Kaiser, Extension nutrient management specialist (St. Paul)Brad Carlson, Extension educator (Mankato)Additional resources:NCERA103.orgNitrogen-fixing biologicals: What farmers should knowNitrogen-fixing biological products: New report summarizes research from across the corn beltNitrogen-fixing biological products: Four Midwest experts weigh in on industry claims, on-farm research tips, and more---For the latest nutrient management information, subscribe to the Nutrient Management Podcast. And don't forget to subscribe to the Minnesota Crop News daily or weekly email newsletter, subscribe to our YouTube channel, like UMN Extension Nutrient Management on Facebook, follow us on X (formerly twitter), and visit our website.If you have questions or comments, please email us at [email protected] Nitrogen Smart is proud to be supported by the farm families of Minnesota and their corn check-off investment through Minnesota Corn.

On this episode of the Nutrient Management Podcast, we talk all about fall manure application. What should be on a farmer's to-do list to prepare for fall application? What names need to be on an operation's emergency response plan, and what kind of PPE should farmers keep nearby? How much lead time does a lab need to return sample results? If a farmer plans to work with a commercial applicator, what can they do ahead of time to ensure a successful season? All of this, plus a farmer Q&A, on-farm research advice, an update on ManureDB and more on today's show.Guests:Melissa Wilson, Extension manure nutrient management specialist (St. Paul)Chryseis Modderman, Extension manure nutrient management specialist (Morris, MN)Nancy Bohl Bormann, researcher, manure and nutrient management (St. Paul)Eduardo Garay, on-farm research manager, manure management (St. Paul)Additional Resources:How to put together a manure management planUMN Manure (YouTube)ManureDBManure management: Agitation and pumpingFor on-farm research inquiries, contact Eduardo Garay at: [email protected]—For the latest nutrient management information, subscribe to the Nutrient Management Podcast. And don't forget to subscribe to the Minnesota Crop News daily or weekly email newsletter, subscribe to our YouTube channel, like UMN Extension Nutrient Management on Facebook, follow us on X (formerly twitter), and visit our website.If you have questions or comments, please email us at [email protected] for the Nutrient Management Podcast is provided by Minnesota's fertilizer tonnage fee through the Agricultural Fertilizer Research & Education Council (AFREC). Learn more at MNsoilfertility.com.

Today on the Advancing Nitrogen Smart Podcast we take a close-up look at bioreactors as an edge-of-field practice. How does this important tool work, and how does it help mitigate nitrate loss? What types of carbon sources have traditionally been used in a bioreactor, and what types of carbon could be used in the future? How are bioreactors incorporated in to a farmer's operation, and how are they maintained? How effective and efficient are bioreactors? What's on the horizon for the next generation of bioreactor technology? All this and more on today's episode.Guests:Brad Carlson, Extension educator (Mankato)Jeff Strock, Extension soil scientist (Lamberton)Additional Resources:Nitrogen and phosphorus removal from agricultural drainage water by a modular bioreactorBioreactor research3 takeaways from the Conservation Drainage Network’s annual meetingEdge of field N and P reduction strategies: What to know about conservation drainage practicesNitrogen Smart---For the latest nutrient management information, subscribe to the Nutrient Management Podcast. And don't forget to subscribe to the Minnesota Crop News daily or weekly email newsletter, subscribe to our YouTube channel, like UMN Extension Nutrient Management on Facebook, follow us on X (formerly twitter), and visit our website.If you have questions or comments, please email us at [email protected] Nitrogen Smart is proud to be supported by the farm families of Minnesota and their corn check-off investment through Minnesota Corn.

It’s that time of year again; time for the Fall Fertilizer Outlook on the Nutrient Management Podcast. Given the overall economics of crop production right now, how should farmers be approaching their fertilizer decisions this fall? What are some regional differences with respect to fertilizer management this year? There has been a renewed focus on the issue of water quality in Minnesota - how should this affect farmers’ decision-making? How many fertilizer decisions can be pushed off until spring? All of this and more on today’s show.Guests:Brad Carlson, Extension educator (Mankato)Lindsay Pease, Extension nutrient and water management specialist (Crookston)Jeff Vetsch, Research supervisor (Waseca)Daniel Kaiser, Extension nutrient management specialist (St. Paul)Additional Resources:Are you overspending on fertilizer?Making sense of Minnesota's corn fertilizer guidelines: Frequently asked questions, and answersNo P, no problem? Skipping phosphorus fertilizer application may make agronomic, economic senseSmart Nitrogen Management webinar (YouTube)—Click here to listen to all Nutrient Management Podcast episodes.For the latest nutrient management information, subscribe to the Nutrient Management Podcast. And don't forget to subscribe to the Minnesota Crop News daily or weekly email newsletter, subscribe to our YouTube channel, like UMN Extension Nutrient Management on Facebook, follow us on X (formerly twitter), and visit our website.If you have questions or comments, please email us at [email protected] for the Nutrient Management Podcast is provided by Minnesota's fertilizer tonnage fee through the Agricultural Fertilizer Research & Education Council (AFREC). Learn more at MNsoilfertility.com.

On today's Advancing Nitrogen Smart Podcast, Brad Carlson and Melissa Wilson explain aspects of Minnesota laws and regulations that manure applicators should be aware of. What are the requirements for manure testing, and how often should you do it? What are some general restrictions for manure application in Minnesota? How do buffers and setbacks help you? What kinds of documents should be incorporated into a manure management plan? What contingencies should be put into place in the case of an emergency? All this and more on today's show.Guests:Brad Carlson, Extension educator (Mankato)Melissa Wilson, Extension manure nutrient management specialist (St. Paul)Additional resources:Land Application of manure: Minimum requirementsManure managementManure sampling and nutrient analysisManure sampling and testing: Variability, guidelines & safety for your operationManureDBFor the latest nutrient management information, subscribe to the Nutrient Management Podcast. And don't forget to subscribe to the Minnesota Crop News daily or weekly email newsletter, subscribe to our YouTube channel, like UMN Extension Nutrient Management on Facebook, follow us on X (formerly twitter), and visit our website.If you have questions or comments, please email us at [email protected] Nitrogen Smart is proud to be supported by the farm families of Minnesota and their corn check-off investment through Minnesota Corn.