Heavy rainfall has plagued farms across the country this spring, raising concerns about hidden hunger in the critical months ahead. Agronomists with Helena Agri-Enterprises are recommending growers gauge crop nutrient levels now to replenish what might have been lost. They say in-season foliar applications of nitrogen and essential micronutrients can help crops continue growing toward a profitable harvest.
Nitrogen is one of the biggest players in nutrient management, but it is also one of the most complex. Its interactions in the soil create challenges when moisture levels are high, often leading to leaching in sandy soils and denitrification in heavy clay soils.
“We encourage our customers to think about multiple applications of nitrogen. This allows you to put nitrogen out when the crop actually needs it. Especially in a year like this, when you have record-breaking rainfall in a very short amount of time, you need to consider a supplemental application in-season.”
Derek Emerine, National Agronomist for Helena
Even if nitrogen was applied early or during side dress, crops can still suffer from deficiencies under such saturated conditions. In the Midwest, AGRIntelligence® Agronomist Dr. Randy Simonson is keeping a close eye on nitrogen levels as growers rebound from a slow start.
“Some crops have just gotten in, and occasionally you still see a field that hasn't been planted yet.”
Dr. Simonson
He recommends Coron Metra® at reproduction for both corn and soybeans. As a foliar fertilizer with controlled-release nitrogen, it can efficiently drive nutrients into the crop as it’s developing grain or filling seed. The same strategy is being employed along the East Coast, where AGRIntelligence Agronomist Josh Gaddy remains optimistic about the opportunity Coron Metra has to impact yield this season.
“We get a good yield response from running boron with nitrogen at tassel. That's a really critical time where plant demand for boron really starts picking up. It’s become standard practice in this part of the country, but with all of the rain, it's probably even more of a good reason to do it this year, because boron is very leachable, too.”
Josh Gaddy
While nitrogen and boron are common nutrient deficiencies, others can be surprising. Growers are encouraged to identify nutritional needs in their fields through the Extractor® tissue analysis program. With a true picture of plant health, Helena representatives can tailor upcoming fungicide and insecticide applications with the right combination of nutrients to help crops overcome a challenging season. To learn more, visit HelenaAgri.com and tune in to the FieldLink® Podcast on YouTube or wherever you listen.
About Helena Agri-Enterprises
Helena Agri-Enterprises, LLC is a complete agronomic solutions provider headquartered outside of Memphis in Collierville, Tennessee. Helena is a multi-faceted retailer and distributor in the production agriculture and specialty markets, offering innovative products and services to improve productivity for greater customer returns. This includes crop protection and crop production products, seed and seed treatments, AGRIntelligence® tools, professional application, financial services, and chemical formulation. Helena is driven by a belief in People… Products… Knowledge®… Through knowledgeable and dedicated people, superior products, and the latest, proven technologies, Helena is committed to helping customers succeed.