Nitrogen Modeling

Farmers on the Rock is pleased to announce that through our Grant from the Wisconsin Department of Ag, we will be offering Cost Share on new technology revolving around “Nitrogen Modeling”.

What are Nitrogen Models?  Nitrogen Models are Computer Programs that estimate the Nitrogen Cycle.

These Models are new to agriculture but the fundamentals behind the scenes have been practiced for many years. Those fundamentals include; historical weather data, in-season weather data, crop rotation, crop uptake, soil types, temperature, leaching, cover crops, manure applications, application timing and more. The models will utilize historical weather data to run simulations of a grower’s nitrogen program prior to the season to show where the risk lies in those planned nitrogen applications.

Throughout the growing season, growers have the ability to add real time data to the system. Such as nitrogen applications and planting dates. With current weather data compiled into the system through weather apps, growers can monitor nitrogen usage and availability on the go.  This allows growers to monitor the following: soil nitrogen level, crop uptake, leached, mineralized, volatilized, denitrified, and immobilized.  With these factors up to date, the model gives them the ability to adjust the plan as the season goes to be most efficient with their resources.

By cost sharing the use of Nitrogen Models we hope to educate local growers on where they could be more efficient with their applications of Nitrogen Fertilizer’s. Making more efficient “N” applications will help protect our groundwater along with the grower’s bottom line.

               Current Models Available include: Granular N, Adapt N and Climate Fieldview. Feel free to contact Farmers on the Rock for more information on Nitrogen Modeling.