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Each fall as harvest wraps up and the crop is in the bin, farmers are faced with the decision of what more can be done to get the next growing season off to the best start possible. It’s an excellent window to evaluate what worked and what didn’t in the last season, and many take the opportunity to fall-apply pre-seed herbicides and get their nitrogen in the ground.
Fall fertilizer application gives farmers an opportunity to get ahead of their busy spring schedules and prep their fields for the next growing season. Fall is also a great time to evaluate your current crop management practices and determine if there are any changes you should consider making. Depending on your region, fall fertilizer application is something you should consider.
Benefits of fall application include:
1. Spring seeding efficiency – with your nitrogen already in place from the previous fall, you have more time to focus on preparing your field for spring seeding.
2. Soil conditions – soil conditions are generally less wet in the fall than in the spring so there is less risk of soil compaction.
3. Storage – you won’t have to store your fertilizer over the winter because it is purchased and applied in the fall.
4. Time – post-harvest isn’t as hectic as spring seeding, so you have more time to focus on an efficient nitrogen application.
Who should consider fall nitrogen application?
North Dakota State University recommends that farmers aim to apply nitrogen when the soil temperature is below 50°F (10°C) but not yet frozen. If the soil is frozen, the nitrogen won’t incorporate into the soil and will be vulnerable on the surface. If the soil is warmer than 50°F, the conversion of ammonium to nitrate occurs more quickly leaving more nitrate-N in the soil vulnerable to winter and early spring losses.
North Dakota Farmer David Dahl shares his rule of thumb for applying fall ESN on his farm in the video below.
Fall application of nitrogen, including ESN, is not recommended in sandy soils, or high rainfall areas where soils do not stay frozen through the winter, as nitrogen is prone to winter or early spring leaching. If fall-applied ammonia is not an acceptable practice in your area, fall-applied ESN would be considered similarly risky.
The smart fall-applied nitrogen choice
Studies have proven that ESN is a great choice for fall nitrogen application ahead of spring-planted corn in the northern corn belt, such as Minnesota, Iowa, and North Dakota, as well as in Western Canada and the Great Plains for winter or spring wheat and canola. Fall ESN application for winter forage grasses in the southern states has proven exceptionally successful.
ESN provides a variety of benefits to farmers looking for a nitrogen source to fall apply. Thanks to its polymer coating, the nitrogen contained within each ESN granule is protected against the elements, even in frozen ground. Once spring-time hits, ESN’s controlled-release technology releases nitrogen in response to soil temperature, giving your crops the nitrogen they need when they need it.
Watch the video below to hear Senior Agronomist Mike Howell talk about the environmental benefits of ESN and how fall application can save you time in the spring.
Facts from the field
The following research demonstrates the performance of ESN for fall nitrogen applications:
Fall is the Time for ESN Smart Nitrogen on Idaho Winter Wheat
Fall ESN Increases Missouri Tall Fescue Forage Yields
A Safe Alternative for Northern Corn Belt Fall Nitrogen Application
ESN is a Smart Alternative for Fall Nitrogen Applications
ESN is the Smart Nitrogen for Fall Strip-Till Applications
Resources
For more information about fall fertilizer applications using ESN, check out the following resources:
ESN Webinar: Fall Application: This webinar (with CEU credit available) provides tools to help inform fall application decisions.
Application Recommendations: Browse our application recommendations for fall-applied ESN for your specific crop and geography.
ESN Blending Recommendation Calculator: Select your crop, region and timing to calculate what percentage of ESN to use in your fall nitrogen application.
Are you interested in applying ESN in the fall? Contact your local rep to learn more or submit a question at Ask the Agronomist for recommendations tailored to your farm.
