Nitrates & placement: Factors for reducing nitrogen loss to water

University of Minnesota Extension’s two-day field School for Ag Professionals is coming up July 29 and July 30, 2026. If you’re an agronomist, a retailer, dealer or consultant, if you’re a summer field scout - we encourage you to attend these small-group, hands-on sessions led in the field by experienced instructors. 12 Certified Crop Advisor CEUs credits are available! For all the details, including info on lodging, visit z.umn.edu/AgFieldSchool2026

We’re talking all about nitrate management and placement as important factors for reducing nitrogen loss to water on today's episode of the Advancing Nitrogen Smart Podcast series. Different forms of nitrogen have their own potential for loss. How does nitrogen already in the nitrate form differ from ammonium for example? How does basic soil science slow down or speed up nitrogen transformation? Why can't nitrates be easily stabilized in the fall in Minnesota? How do other factors like pH affect nitrogen transformation? This and much more in today's discussion.
 
Guests:

• Brad Carlson, Extension educator (Mankato)
• Dan Kaiser, Extension nutrient management specialist (St. Paul)

Additional resources:

• Nitrogen placement: What MN farmers should know about depth, incorporation, loss pathways, and more
• How 4R Nutrient Stewardship can help Minnesota farmers
• Four things I’ve learned about nitrogen management for corn based on a decade of research in Minnesota
• Six observations from six years of tile sampling for nitrates in southeast Minnesota
• Nitrogen BMPs and nitrate water quality issues in southeast Minnesota: What should growers be thinking about?

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If you have questions or comments, please email us at nutmgmt@umn.edu.

Advancing Nitrogen Smart is proud to be supported by the farm families of Minnesota and their corn check-off investment through Minnesota Corn.