Variable rate application is smart because N20 losses average .3 lb/acre .3 x 160 acres = 48 pounds. If 80 percent of that loss is from 20 percent of the field, it would be 38 pounds from 32 acres.
Four of those acres are in forage. Other 28 acres will have a nutrient reduction of 75 percent.
The federal government wants a blanket reduction of 30 percent. The numbers show that variable rate fertilizer application will have a great impact on nutrient loss and actually increase farm profits. My uncle, who ran my drill this spring, said, “How can this not pay?”
(Note: Number discrepancy because I seeded 320 acres of peas that got zero N.)
