Fertilizing Winter Wheat — Publications
Winter wheat fertilization recommendations in North Dakota have been updated to more closely resemble those for spring wheat and durum wheat.
Nitrogen Timing
Winter wheat can be fertilized with the entire nitrogen amount in the fall because frozen soil prevents N from moving into the soil, allowing it to move freely during snowmelt. Stream-bars should be monitored during application to ensure that the stream pattern is not broken apart by wind.
Nitrogen Rates
Due to the economics of the application, some consideration of historic soil productivity is required in wheats. The following productivity ranges are appropriate for consideration of the optimum economic N rate for winter wheat.
Reductions in N Rate Due to Location in the Langdon Region
Because of the unique climatic and soil conditions in this area, reduce N rates by 40 pounds per acre if growing winter wheat. The soils in the Langdon region contain small pieces of shale bedrock, which contain large amounts of mineralizable ammonium.
Phosphate
Although broadcast P is preferable to no P, the efficiency difference between the two is significant. When banding granular or liquid fertilizer with the seed, do not exceed the N K2O rates listed in Tables 3 and 4.
Potassium
Most soils in North Dakota have sufficient potassium (K) levels to support excellent wheat production; soils with a smectite-to-illite ratio greater than 3.5 do not require additional K fertilizer, and other crops in the rotation that receive K fertilizer on a regular basis may not be required if chloride levels are adequate.
Sulfur
Sulfur deficiency has become so prevalent in small grains and corn in the state that it is becoming more important than potassium or chloride as a third major nutrient. Ammonium sulfate or gypsum would be excellent sources of sulfur for spring crops.
Copper
Copper-induced changes in yield and scab reductions have been documented in North Dakota, primarily on low-organic matter, sandy soils. An application of copper sulfate at a rate of 5 pounds of Cu/acre would last for many years.
Chloride
The critical level of chloride in the surface 2 feet of soil in wheat is 40 pounds/acre; when adding Cl to fertilizer, refer to Tables 3 and 4 to ensure that critical levels of N K2O are not exceeded.
References
The application of fertilizer with small grain seed at planting is an important step in wheat cultivation.
When should I fertilize my wheat?
The best time to apply nitrogen is around mid-March, just before the wheat begins to grow rapidly; applications made earlier risk loss during rainy periods; the amount of nitrogen applied during this time should be enough to bring the total amount of nitrogen applied in February and March to the 60-90 lb/ac range.
When should I fertilize my grass hay field?
The timing of nitrogen fertilizer application should correspond to the growth pattern of the forage grasses. Because the majority of growth occurs in late spring and early summer in cool-season grasses, we recommend nitrogen fertilizer application in early spring for these grasses.
What is the best fertilizer for wheat?
u201cThe use of starter fertilizer u2013 both phosphorus and nitrogen u2013 can be an effective method for meeting part or even all of wheat’s phosphorus needs. Wheat plants typically show a significant increase in fall tillers and better root development when starter fertilizer u2013 both phosphorus and nitrogen u2013 is used.
What fertilizer is used for hay?
Urea, or ammonium sulfate, is a common N fertilizer for grass hay production. Urea, with 46% N, is the most concentrated commercial source, but it must be applied shortly before rain or irrigation to avoid significant N loss to the atmosphere as volatile ammonia.
Should I fertilize winter wheat?
Winter wheat can be fertilized with the entire nitrogen amount in the fall, but studies in many winter wheat-growing areas show that when the bulk of the nitrogen is applied in the spring at green-up, yield response and nitrogen use efficiency are consistently better.
How late can you apply nitrogen to wheat?
Single applications of nitrogen on wheat are often sufficient if applied a few weeks after green-up, which is usually mid- to late April in many seasons. N should not be applied on frozen ground because there is a risk of N loss due to excessive rains in early April, even if applied soon after the ice has thawed.
How do you increase yield of hay?
Split-applying N based on the expected yield of the next growth, at a rate of 50 pounds N per ton of expected hay yield, is the most efficient way to fertilize a hay field. Research has shown that splitting N applications can increase N use efficiency by 25 to 35 percent and yields by 5 to 10%.
How much fertilizer do you need per acre of hay?
u201cApply 50 to 60 pounds of nitrogen per acre on your best grass stands and 30 to 40 pounds on the rest,u201d he advises, adding that a similar amount of nitrogen should be applied in August to boost plant carbohydrate levels, resulting in higher yields the following spring.
How do I get better at hay field?
For hay, mow the field with a rotary mower to remove problem plants before they set viable seed, till to control tenacious, perennial weeds like bedstraw, and then seed in May or the first three weeks of August, when seed will survive and compete better with weeds.
When should I fertilize winter wheat?
Spring nitrogen fertilization of winter wheat is best done in March, but split timing may provide additional yield benefits, especially with soil types and weather conditions that favor N loss.
How many pounds of fertilizer do you need per acre for wheat?
Nitrogen fertilizer applications for crops like wheat, sorghum, and sunflowers should be at least 50 pounds of actual nitrogen per acre, with no need to apply more than 100 pounds nitrogen per acre in a single application.
What is the best fertilizer for winter wheat?
Nitrogen fertilizers should be applied at rates based on expected crop yields minus credits for residual soil nitrates and nitrogen mineralized from organic matter, manure, and previous legume crops. Phosphate fertilizers should be applied at rates based on soil test results.
Should I fertilize my pasture?
In general, one acre of pasture per two cows should be fertilized with N in early spring, with no more than a third of the total pasture acreage fertilized with N, and all applications of K should be delayed until the plants can better utilize it, as plants have the ability to take up more K than they require.
What is the best liquid fertilizer for hay fields?
If you have liquid fertilizer spraying equipment, we recommend the following: Grass and Clover or Alfalfa 1 lb. Maxicrop soluble seaweed mixed with 1 qt. 12% Bio Hume dissolved in enough water to cover 1 acre, spray after first and second cuttings or rotation.
How long should you wait to cut hay after fertilizing?
We recommend watering your lawn for 20 minutes per section in the morning at least 3-4 times weekly for the best results. How long should I wait to mow my lawn after you’ve applied fertilizer? You only need to wait 24 hours after a fertilizing treatment to mow your lawn.