Reducing fertilizer rates might be the best move for farmers affected by this year’s drought.

University of Minnesota Extension crops educator Brad Carlson says a very dry growing season left a lot of residual nitrogen in the soil.

“Some of it is unused fertilizer because the crop never reached its potential, but there’s also a significant amount that was accumulated from mineralization of soil organic matter. That nitrogen can be credited for next year’s crop.”

He tells Brownfield farmers should take a soil sample this fall or next spring to help determine if fertilizer rates can be adjusted.

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