Introduction

2014 PFR Partners
BECK’S Nitrogen Management Studies
These trials were designed to compare multiple types of nitrogen management
programs to the growers’ normal nitrogen management systems. The nitrogen
components that we will evaluate in this trial consist of nitrogen rate, timing, form, and
placement. This study was designed as an agronomic segment of Beck’s PFR Partner
Program, which cooperates with Beck’s customers to conduct agronomic research on
their own farms. A PFR Director works with each PFR Partner or cooperator to develop
agronomic protocols and then implements the plan in cooperation with the grower.
These nitrogen trials include evaluation of:
Under-Application of -30 lb. N/A.
Over-Application of +30 lb. N/A.
Over-Application of +60 lb. N/A.
V10 Timing vs. grower’s normal
OptRx ® Variable Rate Nitrogen
360 Y-Drop System Placement
Dry Urea Topdress
CILPFR Intern Erin Heidrick with PFR Partner Greg Pfeifer
The protocols in this particular study are constant, with the exception of the grower’s
normal nitrogen program, which can change at each trial site. Each treatment consists
of the same total rate of nitrogen as the grower’s normal, with the exception of the
OptRx treatment, which variable rate applies based upon plant needs.
Nitrogen stabilizers were used on all treatments that surface-applied nitrogen: 360 Y-
Drop placement and urea topdress. Factor ® , a nitrogen stabilizer from Rosen’s, Inc.,
was used as a volatilization inhibitor to help protect nitrogen that was applied on the soil
surface. This stabilizer protects from volatilization for up to 14 days until rain occurs so
that hydrolyzation will occur below the soil surface. This will decrease the risk of
atmospheric losses.
We found that the average rate of nitrogen across all trials was 188 lb. N/A.—63% of
which was applied preplant and the remaining 37% was applied as a sidedress.
OptRx ® is a registered trademark of Ag Leader Technology. Y-Drop is a trademark of 360 Yield Center, LLC. Factor ® is a registered trademark
of Midtech R&D and distributed by Rosen’s, Inc.
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