Posted 1/31/01 Natural gas inflation drives farmers to consider alternative fertilizer options As corn producers look ahead to spring planting and attempt to figure out a fertilizer program for this yearís crop, they face several dilemmas. The high cost and high demand for natural gas is the biggest, says Bob Byrnes, Lyon County educator with the University of Minnesota Extension Service. Nitrogen fertilizer is made from natural gas. ìThe high cost and high demand for natural gas has prompted manufacturers to shut down a sizable portion of their capacity for making nitrogen fertilizer,î according to Byrnes. ìThis has raised concerns about the availability of nitrogen fertilizer and potential spring shortages,î he said. Byrnes said these concerns are complicated by the lower-than-normal amount of fertilizer applied last fall. Warm, dry soils after harvest delayed fall nitrogen application for the 2001 corn crop. Rain in late October and the rapid onset of cold weather and frozen soil in November left many producers reeling as they failed to get as much as half of their intended fall nitrogen applied. Faced with these dilemmas, producers have some alternatives to evaluate. Some which Byrnes cites are: ïConsider the entire corn budget and reduce those inputs that will have the least impact on corn yield. For example, fertilizer nitrogen gives more return than phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). On fields with medium to high P and K levels, consider cutting back on those nutrients. ïBe flexible with nitrogen forms. Most analysts agree that by spring, the nitrogen supply will be adequate. However, there may be shortages due to transportations problems or scarcity of a certain form. If there is a shortage, it is likely to be the liquid form. Producers need to be open to pre-plant anhydrous ammonia or urea application or sidedressing with anhydrous early in the growing season. ïLook for an opportunity to reduce expenses for seed, weed control and other inputs. Higher nitrogen prices are expected to increase corn production costs five to six percent, according to Iowa State University. Reducing seed or herbicide expenses could hold down this increase. However, be careful not to sacrifice yield potential or acceptable weed control. University of M innesota Extension publications on ìVarietal Trialsî and ìCultural and Chemical Weed Control in Field Cropsî may also provide useful guidance. These are available from county Extension offices in Minnesota. ïConsider livestock manure as a nitrogen source. Liquid hog manure from a pit can contain anywhere from 35 to 40 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 gallons. If the manure is incorporated or injected, approximately two-thirds of the nitrogen is available to the crop the first year. Test the manure before application so you know the exact nutrient content, and adjust application rates accordingly. ïConsider switching some corn acres to soybeans. Byrnes said this is the last option to consider. Expect a ten percent yield reduction potential for second-year soybeans. Soil and residue-borne disease problems are likely and any soybean cyst nematode population will explode. ©Post Review