Example of Certification Training using Response Devices

1. Know how. Know now.
Lower Platte North NRD
Certification Training
Working Together To Preserve Our
Ground Water for Future Generations
Presented in Cooperation by

2. Know how. Know now.
Certification Training Format
 First - Test
 Questions on nitrogen and water

management
 Instead of written test, we will use
audience response cards
 No failing grades, just want to see what
kind of job we have done
Second – NRD Update

3. Know how. Know now.
Audience Response Cards
Press button
you think
is correct
answer
No need to
press GO
button
Reply is
anonymous
Will not work as
calculator so
please don’t
take home

4. Know how. Know now.
Practice Question : What Price
are you Waiting for to sell your
remaining 2010 corn?
1. Already sold it
2. $6.00
3. $7.00
4. $8.00
5. $4.00 after the market
48%
24%
19%
crashes
5%
Already
sold i...
$6.00
5%
$7.00
$8.00
$4.00 after
th...

5. Know how. Know now.
Ready?

6. Know how. Know now.
Which factor has the biggest
influence on the amount of
residual nitrate-nitrogen
present in the spring?
1.Amount of nitrogen
52%
38%
la
in
fa
l
Ra
Th
e
pr
e
vi
ou
s
nd
i..
c.
..
r.
..
fn
it
nt
o
ou
.
10%
Am
fertilizer applied to
previous crop
2.The previous crop
3.Rainfall and
irrigation amounts

7. Know how. Know now.
Correct Answer – ? Depends
on the Year and the Field
 Each of these factors plays a role in


determining how much residual nitratenitrogen is present in the spring
Depending on the year, any one these could
be the biggest factor in determining how
much residual N is present
Which one is the biggest factor this year?

8. Know how. Know now.
The estimated nitrogen credit for a
corn crop following soybeans
yielding 60 bushels on a medium
textured soil is:
43%
1.30 lb/acre
2.45 lb/acre
3.60 lb/acre
4.75 lb/acre
33%
24%
ac
re
75
lb
/
ac
re
60
lb
/
ac
re
lb
/
45
30
lb
/
ac
re
0%

9. Know how. Know now.
Correct Answer – 2 – 45
lbs/Acre

UNL recommendation is 45 lbs/acre nitrogen credit

10. Know how. Know now.
However:
 USDA-ARS research in Nebraska over 20


years indicated average credits of 65 lbs/acre
for irrigated fields and 55 lbs/acre for dryland
fields
45 lbs/acre is conservative to account for
year to year variation
For soybeans yielding under 30 bushels, use
1 lb N / bushel credit

11. Know how. Know now.
Which of the following should
a nitrogen credit not be
allowed for:
62%
1. Previous legume
19%
an
ur
e
So
i
ua
l
sid
Re
M
..
l.
H
lp
So
i
at
...
Irr
ig
at
io
n
w
gu
m
le
us
vi
o
10%
5%
...
5%
Pr
e
crops
2. Irrigation water with
10 or more ppm
nitrate-nitrogen
3. Soil pH
4. Residual Soil Nitrate
5. Manure

12. Know how. Know now.
Answer – 3 – Soil pH

13. Know how. Know now.

14. Know how. Know now.

15. Know how. Know now.

16. Know how. Know now.
Nitrate-Nitrogen is:
1.Held by clay and
78%
17%
la
va
i
Un
a
ob
ile
m
y
bl
e
an
...
a.
..
y
cla
Ve
r
d
He
l
to
...
4%
by
organic matter and can’t
be lost to leaching
2.Very mobile and can be
lost to leaching
3.Unavailable to plants
until is broken down by
bacteria

17. Know how. Know now.
Answer – 2 – Very mobile
 Nitrate nitrogen has a negative charge
 Clay and organic matter also have a
negative charge
 Results in a very mobile nutrient that is
subject to leaching

18. Know how. Know now.
At the end of the season there is
_________ residual nitratenitrogen in the soil:
92%
1. Never
2. Seldom
3. Always
4. Occasionally
4%
4%
ly
s
Oc
c
as
io
na
l
ay
Al
w
do
m
Se
l
Ne
ve
r
0%

19. Know how. Know now.
Answer – 3 - Always
 Mineralization of nitrate-nitrogen from

organic matter occurs throughout growing
season
No crop can uptake 100 % of nitrate-nitrogen
in soil

20. Know how. Know now.
How much nitrogen is potentially
lost per day from denitrification in
o
saturated 60 F soils
1. 0 %
2. 2-3%
3. 4-5%
4. 10%
50%
27%
23%
10
%
45%
23%
0%
0%

21. Know how. Know now.
Answer – 2 – 2 to 3 %




Denitrification - Process of anaerobic bacteria in soil
converting nitrate-N into gaseous forms (nitric oxide,
nitrous oxide) which can be lost to the atmosphere
University of Illinois data
 1 to 2 % - Below 55 0F
 2 to 3 % - 55 to 65 0F
 4 to 5 % - Temps above 65 0F
Complicated process that is difficult to estimate
accurately
Decision to apply additional N is complicated by
stand loss and plant stunting, and nitrate leaching

22. Know how. Know now.
Which is likely to cause more
yield loss when irrigating:
1.Applying 75
88%
percent of crop ET
2.Applying 125
percent of crop ET
in
g
Ap
pl
y
Ap
pl
y
in
g
75
12
5
p.
..
pe
...
12%

23. Know how. Know now.
Answer – 2 – 125% of ET
Neb Guide G1904

24. Know how. Know now.
Which system has the greatest
potential for N loss:
96%
1.Fall applied
n.
..
pp
lie
d
la
ss
a
dr
e
eSi
d
Fa
l
pp
...
n
at
io
tig
Fe
r
pp
lie
d
la
4%
0%
n.
..
0%
Fa
l
nitrogen with
Agrotain
2.Fertigation
3.Side-dress
applications
4.Fall applied
nitrogen

25. Know how. Know now.
Answer – 4 – Fall Applied
Nitrogen
 Nitrification inhibitors like Agrotain
slow conversion of ammonium to
nitrate
 Fertigation and side dressing results in
nitrogen application closer to timing of
crop uptake

26. Know how. Know now.

27. Know how. Know now.

28. Know how. Know now.
How Do You Apply The Majority of
Your Nitrogen Fertilizer?
1.Anhydrous – Fall
39%
2. Anhydrous – Spring
3. UAN – 28% or 32% -
9%
r
0%
Ot
he
Ur
e.
..
0%
ea
d
ga
te
d
Dr
y
Sp
r
3.
..
Fe
rti
UA
N
–2
8%
or
3.
..
or
UA
N
–2
8%
or
–2
8%
s–
UA
N
ou
hy
dr
3.
..
..
0%
UA
N
Fa
s–
ou
An
hy
dr
An
13%
Sp
.
...
Broadcast
17%
4. UAN – 28% or 32% Injected
5. UAN – 28% or 32% Sidedress
6. UAN Fertigated
7. Dry Spread Urea
8. Other
22%

29. Know how. Know now.
If you answered 3- UAN – 28% or
32% Broadcast, Do You No-Till?
No
22%
Ye
s
1.Yes
2.No
78%

30. Know how. Know now.
Ammonia volatilization with no-till
surface application
 Concern with UAN and urea
 Urea and ammonium are
converted to ammonia gas,
which is lost to the
atmosphere
 High urease activity in crop
residues
 Crop residues prevent urea
or UAN from reaching the soil
Source – Charlie Wortmann
From: Better Crops

31. Know how. Know now.
What percent of UAN fertilizer
can potentially volatilize?
28%
24%
10
0%
75
%
50
%
12%
25
%
1.25%
2.50%
3.75%
4.100%
36%

32. Know how. Know now.
Answer – 3 – 75%
 UAN is made up of:
 50 % Urea - N
 25 % Ammonium – N
 25 % Nitrate – N
 All but nitrate – N can potentially
volatilize

33. Know how. Know now.
To accurately estimate residual soil
nitrate-nitrogen, you should:
88%
1. Collect sample cores
to 8 inch depth
2. Separate sample
cores in depth
increments to 3 feet
3. Collect 4 random soil
cores per sample
13%
Co
l
le
ct
4
ra
nd
...
pl
...
sa
m
e
ar
at
Se
p
Co
l
le
ct
sa
m
pl
e.
..
0%

34. Know how. Know now.

35. Know how. Know now.
Answer – 2 – Separate Sample
Cores in Depth Increments

36. Know how. Know now.
Normally, how much water is
required by corn at growth stage
“R5 ¼ milk line” to reach maturity?
1. 5.0 inches
2. 3.75 inches
3. 2.25 inches
4. 1.0 inches
61%
22%
in
ch
es
1.
0
he
s
in
c
2.
25
in
c
he
s
9%
3.
75
5.
0
in
ch
es
9%

37. Know how. Know now.
Answer – 2 – 3.75 inches

38. Know how. Know now.
From Neb Guide G1871 –
Predicting the Last Irrigation of
the Season

39. Know how. Know now.
Which condition would result
in reduced crop water use?
88%
1.Clear Sunny day
2.90 degree
..
at
iv
e.
rH
o.
..
90
%
Re
l
Pe
M
ile
re
e
de
g
90
ar
Su
nn
Te
m
yd
a.
..
p.
..
0%
Cl
e
8%
4%
30
Temperatures
3.30 Mile Per Hour
Wind
4.90 % Relative
Humidty

40. Know how. Know now.
Answer – 4 – 90% Relative
Humidity
 Many factors affect crop water use
 Sunny versus cloudy day
 Wind speed
 Crop growth stage
 Humidity
 Temperature

41. Know how. Know now.
To obtain more accurate soil test
results, a field should be divided
according to patterns of :
92%
ab
o.
..
yp
e
Al
l
of
t
he
lT
ap
hy
0%
To
po
gr
Cr
op
p
in
g
hi
st
o.
..
0%
8%
So
i
1.Cropping history
2.Topography
3.Soil Type
4.All of the above

42. Know how. Know now.
Answer – 4 – All of the Above


Cropping
history,
topography,
and soil type
all affect soil
test results
Watch for
old lanes,
homesteads,
feed lots

43. Know how. Know now.
Which soil water monitoring tool
offers the best combination of
accuracy and price:
55%
1.Soil probe
2.Watermark sensor
3.Capacitance probe
4.Neutron probe
32%
pr
o
pr
be
...
5%
tr
o
Ne
u
ac
i
Ca
p
n
e
ta
nc
k
ar
er
m
W
at
So
i
lp
se
ro
be
ns
...
9%

44. Know how. Know now.
Answer – 2 – Watermark sensor

Watermark soil water sensors offer the following
advantages compared to a soil probe:
 More accurate, don’t rely on experience
 Can provide soil water status down to 4 feet
 Compare same spot week to week
 Less labor during growing season

45. Know how. Know now.
Lower Platte North NRD
NAWMDN Program




Partnership between Lower Platte North NRD and
UNL Extension to help growers increase their
irrigation management
Provide cost share on equipment and hands on
assistance to install and use Watermark sensors and
ET Gage.
Had 45 producers participate in 2010
Looking for 40 growers throughout the NRD to
participate in 2011.

46. Know how. Know now.
Which of these factors does the UNL
nitrogen recommendation for corn
not account for ?
1. Expected yield
2. Residual soil nitrate N
3. Soil organic matter
67%
21%
8%
4%
an
d
ni
tr
o
...
t i.
..
Co
rn
at
io
n
...
Ap
pl
ic
of
Ty
pe
rg
an
lo
So
i
ni
tr
og
m
...
0%
ic
so
i
ua
l
Re
sid
te
d
yi
el
d
l.
..
0%
Ex
pe
c
content
4. Type of nitrogen
fertilizer
5. Application timing
6. Corn and nitrogen
price

47. Know how. Know now.
Answer – 4 – Type of Nitrogen Fertilizer
Recommendation in lb N / acre =
35 + (1.2 x Yield Goal)
Minus
- (0.14 x Yield Goal x % Organic Matter)
- (8 x residual soil nitrate)
- (other credits such as legume, manure, nitrates in
irrigation water)
Then multiplied by
× fA = Correction factor for application timing
× fR = Correction factor for Corn to Nitrogen price ratio

48. Know how. Know now.
UNL Corn
Nitrogen
Calculator

49. Know how. Know now.
Cropwatch.unl.edu

50. Know how. Know now.
Fall applied nitrogen should not be
applied until the soil temperature is at
or below:
73%
14%
ºF
50
ºF
55
ºF
60
ºF
9%
5%
40
1.60 ºF
2.55 ºF
3.50 ºF
4.40 ºF

51. Know how. Know now.
Answer – 3 – 50 ºF


Conversion of
ammonium to
nitrate slows
below 50 ºF
pH, moisture and
plant residue will
effect conversion
rate.

52. Know how. Know now.
To determine a realistic yield goal for
corn you would use your five year field
average minus an unusual year. What
percent increase would you add to the
average to determine the yield goal:
1.15
2.10%
3.5 %
4.0 %
55%
36%
0%
5%
5%
10
%
15
5%

53. Know how. Know now.
Answer – 3 – 5 %
 Annual Fertilizer Application Report
 For Corn ► Line 6

Yield Goal (Bushels/Acre) (Past 5 year average + 5%
recommended)

“The expected yield should be about 105 percent of the
five-year average.”
EC 117 – Fertilizer Suggestions for Corn

54. Know how. Know now.
Regardless of soil temperature, the
earliest date the Lower Platte North
NRD allows the fall application of
nitrogen fertilizer on non-sandy soil is:
1.October
2.November 1st
3.November 15th
4.December 1st
71%
1st
14%
1s
t
5%
D
ec
em
r1
be
N
ov
em
be
r
5t
h
st
r1
be
N
ov
em
O
ct
ob
e
r1
st
10%

55. Know how. Know now.
Answer – 2 – November 1st
 Ground Water Management Area Rules and
Regulations - Implemented January 1, 1997
 Section E Ground Water Quality Management
Area – Phase One
 Rule 8 - Fertilizer Application on Non-sandy Soils
 No fall applications of N fertilizer (commercial) for
row crops will be allowed on non-sandy or fine
textured soils until after November 1. ◄
 Rule 9 - Fertilizer Application on Sandy Soils
 Fall and winter applications of N fertilizer
(commercial) for row crops will be prohibited on
sandy soils. Commercial fertilizer can be applied
on sandy soils after March 1 of the crop year.

56. Know how. Know now.
Water in Nebraska is owned by?
71%
1.County
2.Land owner
3.Local NRD
4.State of Nebraska
25%
4%
...
D
br
a
NR
Ne
al
St
a
te
of
Lo
c
ne
r
ow
d
La
n
Co
un
ty
0%

57. Know how. Know now.
Answer – 4- State of Nebraska

Correlative Rights - Groundwater
 Land owners are allowed to drill wells and extract
groundwater from an underlying aquifer for
beneficial purposes subject to management by
the public

58. Know how. Know now.
Questions?

59. Know how. Know now.
Evaluation

60. Know how. Know now.
Which of the Following Do You
Consider Your Primary
Occupation?
1.Farmer
2.Crop Consultant
3.Agribusiness Representative
4.Public Agency Representative
5.Other
71%
17%
13%
r
he
Ot
er
...
an
...
rm
Fa
ult
en
cy
ns
c Ag
Co
rib
us
in
bli
op
Ag
Pu
Cr
0%
es
s R.
..
0%

61. Know how. Know now.
Number of Acres that You Directly
Manage:
1.0 acres
2.1 to 500 acres
3.501 to 1000 acres
4.1001 to 2000 acres
5.2001 to 5000 acres
6.5001 to 10000 acres
7.More than 10000 acres
30%
30%
22%
13%
4%
to s
100
0
acr
to es
500
1
501 acre
0%
100 0
ac..
1
to .
200
200
0
1 a...
to
500
500 0
1 a...
to
Mo 100
re 00
tha ...
n
100
0...
0%

62. Know how. Know now.
As a result of this educational
experience, I have an improved
knowledge of the principles of
nitrogen losses:
1. No Improvement in Knowledge
2. Slight Improvement in Knowledge
3. Moderate Improvement in Knowledge
4. Significant Improvement in Knowledge
5. Very Significant Improvement in Knowledge
38%
25%
17%
17%
..
ve
...
...
Im
...
pro
nt
Sig
nif
ica
ry
me
nt.
pro
Im
ve
e
rat
Im
nif
ica
pro
gh
t
Ve
Sig
Im
Sli
Mo
de
No
...
4%

63. Know how. Know now.
As a result of this educational
experience, I am likely to adopt the
UNL nitrogen recommendations
1. I have no plans to do this
2. I am already doing this
3. I plan to expand or modify my current
0 of
5
...
...
...
he
mo
ed
d..
.
0%
re
sta
ex
pa
pla
n..
.
0%
to
ea
dy
to
no
0%
nt
n
alr
ve
I pla
I am
I ha
0%
I pla
0%
I ne
practices
4. I plant to start this in the future
5. I need more help to do this

64. Know how. Know now.
Have You Previously Attended a
Lower Platte North NRD
Certification Training?
1.Yes
2.No
57%
No
Yes
43%

65. Know how. Know now.
After attending a Lower Platte
North NRD Certification I have
adopted practices that improve
nitrogen fertilizer application
1. No
2. Yes - Slight Improvement
3. Yes - Moderate Improvement
4. Yes - Significant Improvement
5. Yes - Very Significant Improvement
38%
31%
15%
No
e...
t I...
ific.
..
erat
- Sligh
- Sign
- Very
- Mod
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
8%
Sig..
.
8%

66. Know how. Know now.
Extension is a Division of the Institute of Agriculture
and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska–
Lincoln cooperating with the Counties and the United
States Department of Agriculture.
University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension educational
programs abide with the nondiscrimination policies of
the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the United
States Department of Agriculture.