The right time for fall fertilizer
For Anhydrous Ammonia – Not Yet! Follow the 4Rs to Reduce Nutrient Losses

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[October 16, 2015]  BLOOMINGTON - The Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association is urging farmers and fertilizer dealers to hold off on applying anhydrous ammonia until conditions are suitable.

“With harvest progressing at a rapid pace, now is the time to farmers and fertilizer dealers to develop their soil fertility plans for 2016, but it’s not the right time to apply ammonia yet” according to Dan Schaefer, Director of Nutrient Stewardship for the Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association.

IFCA’s “Keep it 4R Crop” program (Right source, Right rate, Right time, Right place) is about applying nutrients to minimize environmental impact, optimize yield and maximize utilization—keys to protecting water quality and assuring economic return on fertilizer purchases.

IFCA’s 4R program outlines specific nutrient stewardship guidelines to reduce nutrient losses. On-farm research in Illinois, overseen and analyzed by the University of Illinois, provides the basis for these principles.

“The message to farmers and the agribusiness industry is clear: If we can all adhere to these practices, we can demonstrate to everyone that voluntary efforts do work” says Schaefer.

Farmers and fertilizer dealers should focus on these four key steps for Fall:

DO NOT APPLY ANHYDROUS AMMONIA IN THE FALL UNTIL THE MAXIMUM DAILY SOIL TEMPERATURE AT THE 4 INCH LEVEL FALLS TO 50 DEGREES AND IS TRENDING DOWNWARD.
Don’t go by the calendar, go to www.ifca.com for a link to daily soil temperatures around the state and monitor the soil temperatures in your fields. “We’ve made great strides in fall ammonia stewardship—let’s not backslide now just because harvest is early” said Schaefer.


USE A LABELED NITRIFICATION INHIBITOR ON ALL FALL APPLIED AMMONIA.
Studies funded by the Illinois Nutrient Research & Education Council (NREC) continue to demonstrate that nitrification inhibitors slow the conversion of nitrogen to a leachable form; it is particularly important to reduce nitrogen leaching in tile drained fields.


SPLIT YOUR NITROGEN APPLICATIONS AND USE THE APPROPRIATE RATE.
The most economically beneficial and environmentally responsible rates for nitrogen can be accessed at http://extension.agron.iastate.
edu/soilfertility/nrate.aspx.  This program is fed by on-farm research led by Midwest land grant universities; at the University of Illinois it’s supported by NREC to improve nitrogen rate recommendations. Use the right rate and don’t apply your nitrogen all at once; for example, split the total rate with a stabilized fall application, followed in the spring by a pre-plant and side-dress application.

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DO NOT SPREAD DRY FERTILIZER ON FROZEN OR SNOW COVERED SOIL.
Fall or spring is the right time to apply dry fertilizer. “Many states have banned winter spreading and the lawn care industry is not allowed to winter spread fertilizer” said Schaefer. He adds: “If we can show our commitment to park our dry spreaders when the ground is frozen or snow covered, we’ve demonstrated our commitment and ability to do the right thing without regulation.”

“The Keep it 4R Crop program will make great strides in reducing nutrient losses if we apply these principles on every acre” added Payne. “We believe farmers understand what is at stake, and are confident we can accomplish the goals in the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy, but it will take everyone’s cooperation—talk to your fertilizer dealer, talk to your fellow farmers and let’s prove that we have the will and ability to reduce nutrient losses without regulation and without litigation—this is our chance and the stakes could not be higher.”

IFCA also stresses the importance of proper training and attention to safety during the fertilizer season, especially when it comes to anhydrous ammonia.

“The public that shares the road with ammonia nurse tanks entrusts us to transport this product safely and to apply it properly” said Jean Payne, President of the IFCA.

IFCA, in partnership with the Illinois Department of Agriculture offers a free web-based training program for farmers to improve their knowledge of ammonia safety. Go to http://learning.ifca.com to access the training program, available free of charge with funding from NREC.

More information about nutrient stewardship programs can be found at www.ifca.com,  www.Keepit4RCrop.org, www.illinoisnrec.org  and www.illinoiscbmp.org.

[Eric Robinsom/Jean Payne/Dan Schaefer, Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association]

 

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