On-farm research trials show positive results

By Doug Rich

One of the reasons Rodney Thompson began using strip-till on his farm near Richmond, Mo., was to get the most out of his nitrogen fertilizer. In 2006 and 2007, he conducted on-farm research in cooperation with the University of Missouri and Extension agronomist Julie Abendroth to test the response of spring applied anhydrous ammonia with and without N-Serve.

N-Serve is a nitrification inhibitor, which slows the microbial activity responsible for the conversion of ammonium to nitrate. N-Serve can slow the conversion process by a few weeks.

"I started using N-Serve in a research plot and it showed some benefits," Thompson said. "I put everything in with N-Serve to hold the nitrogen in place longer, and try to give me a little more protection."

In 2007, Thompson said test plots with anhydrous plus N-Serve averaged 163 bu/ac yield, while the anhydrous alone test plots averaged 154 bu/ac. There was some variations across the field.

"With an N-Serve cost of $9 per acre and a yield benefit of 9 bu/ac, with corn at $5/bu, it pays," Thompson said.

Doug Rich can be reached by phone at 785-749-5304 or by e-mail at richhpj@aol.com.

6/9/08
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Date: 6/5/08

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