Farmers for Climate Solutions is enticing corn farmers to try split nitrogen applications, starting with only 30 pounds per acre at planting time and then whatever soil sampling reveals what’s best for the second application early in the growing season.
It was tried on a 12-acre plot in Lambton County last year where Mathew Wagenaar found it works. His iintention was to apply 130 pounds per acre at planting with a second application later.
The guarantee is that the plot following the Farmers for Climate Solutions program will not be less profitable than fields managed as the farmer traditionally does.
The idea is to improve fertilizer efficiency and reduce business risk.
Wagenaar said he worried that if the spring turned out wet he would be unable to apply the second side dressing on time.
Those who sign up this year get up to $500 in agronomist services for project support, including nutrient management recommendations, full reimbursement for the required nitrate test and a $1,000 honorarium for their time.
“Our goal is to assess if a profit warranty can be a helpful new tool to optimize nitrogen use,” said James Cober, strategic initiatives manager for the program
“What enticed me is the fact that I get to try this without the fear of lost income,” Wagenaar said, adding he was already actively learning about new approaches to split-nitrogen application.
