With 35 years’ experience working for the University of Wisconsin Extension, research is second nature for Sparta, Wis., no-tiller Jim Leverich. Now retired, he maintains a rigorous program of testing to get the best yields he can on his 1,000-acre corn-soybean operation that his forbears began as a 25-acre orchard in 1864. In testing components of the “4Rs” of nutrient management, he’s found anhydrous ammonia consistently provides the most efficient source of nitrogen (N) while offering the highest level of safety for the environment.

While soybean harvest seems to be winding down, we need to be carefully monitoring the soil temperature and weather forecast before applying nitrogen-containing fertilizers this fall. Nitrogen prices remain incredibly high, making it especially critical that we retain all the nitrogen we can for the crop this coming year.