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June 16, 2024St. Joseph, Mo. |  By: Jeremy Werner

Farmers urged to keep an eye on soil this month

soil

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - The University of Missouri Extension Office has a message for farmers.

The Office says nitrogen losses in wet soils can occur due to leaching and denitrification, especially in June when warm soil temperatures speed up these processes.

Denitrification converts nitrate nitrogen into gas, which returns to the atmosphere, while leaching pushes nitrates deeper into the soil.

Corn color is the best indicator of nitrogen deficiency, with pale green plants or yellow lower leaves showing a need for supplemental nitrogen.

Farmers can apply additional nitrogen from side-dress through R-1 stages, using urea to avoid leaf burn.

Ground rigs can apply high rates of nitrogen, while aerial applications typically apply 30 to 50 pounds to maintain high yield potentials. It's crucial to evaluate corn health and yield potential before applying late-season nitrogen.