Search
Better Farming OntarioBetter PorkBetter Farming Prairies

Better Farming Ontario Featured Articles

Better Farming Ontario magazine is published 11 times per year. After each edition is published, we share featured articles online.


Feature: Side-dressed urea helps reduce nitrogen leaching

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

by DON STONEMAN

A two year study in a well field near Woodstock shows that a side-dressed application of urea six weeks after corn planting is a better way to reduce leaching of nitrogen fertilizer than a coated, delay-release fertilizer.

Don King, an agronomist with the Source Resource Group, Guelph, says testing in a wet year, 2009, and a normal year, 2010, showed no yield advantage using an innovative delay-release urea nitrogen fertilizer. The delay-release fertilizer carried a 15-30 per cent premium on cost compared to regular urea fertilizer and therefore returns were reduced.

The coated urea fertilizer is supposed to be dependent upon moisture and temperature.

"It does seem to help in the very early stages (of growth after planting), but in the two years we used it there was not a significant delay," King says. A six-week delay with side-dressing a reduced amount of nitrogen, as recommended using the Ontario Corn Nitrogen Calculator, was more effective environmentally, he says. Nitrogen is available to plants when they are further into their growth cycle and able to use it.

Using reduced nitrogen and a red clover cover crop as a nitrogen source was also an economical and environmentally friendly way to fertilize the crop.

"We tried to be objective. I wish we had another year or two to test it," King says. There was no opportunity to test the technology in a dry year, he says. 

The project was conducted on a well field near the village of Sweaburg, south of urban Woodstock. The site was selected for the project because it is owned by the County of Oxford and contains more than 130 groundwater monitoring wells. Local residents drink water from four wells at the site.

The study was led by the County of Oxford in partnership with the Universities of Guelph and Waterloo, the Upper Thames River  Conservation Authority and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. The Ontario Drinking Water Stewardship Program of the Ontario Ministry of the Environment funded the project.

Engineer Deborah Goudreau, manager of water services for the County of Oxford, says the property around the wells has been tendered back to farmers. One of the provisos of the tender states that no manure is to be spread. She says she looks after about 160 wells in the county.

The depth of the four wells at the test field, which provide water for Woodstock, are 25 metres (82 feet), 16.6 metres (54 feet), 27 metres (88 feet), 14.6 metres (47 feet),  and 32 metres (105 feet) deep respectively. BF
 

Current Issue

June/July 2025

Better Farming Magazine

Farms.com Breaking News

Ontario Funds 28 Agri Food Research Projects

Thursday, July 17, 2025

Ontario has announced $5.4 million in funding for 28 innovative research projects at the University of Guelph, aiming to protect farmers, enhance the food supply chain, and foster environmental sustainability. This investment comes from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness... Read this article online

Boost Crop Yields with Smart Fertilization

Thursday, July 17, 2025

Soil testing is a valuable tool for managing crop nutrition, especially in Ontario where nutrient levels play a crucial role in crop yields. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFA), fertilizer recommendations based on soil test results can vary depending on... Read this article online

HJV Equipment Now Full-Line PTx Trimble Dealer

Thursday, July 17, 2025

HJV Equipment is thrilled to announce its designation as a full-line PTx Trimble dealer. This strategic move enhances the company’s capability to offer advanced precision agriculture technology, catering to the growing needs of modern farmers. As part of this expansion, HJV Equipment... Read this article online

Ontario Tender Fruit Season off to a Strong Start

Monday, July 14, 2025

Ontario's 2025 tender fruit and table grape season is off to a promising start reports the Ontario Tender Fruit and Fresh Grape Growers. While the weather may be too hot for some farmers, it has has been ideal for producing a sweet and juicy crop. A cooler-than-usual spring delayed the... Read this article online

BF logo

It's farming. And it's better.

 

a Farms.com Company

Subscriptions

Subscriber inquiries, change of address, or USA and international orders, please email: subscriptions@betterfarming.com or call 888-248-4893 x 281.


Article Ideas & Media Releases

Have a story idea or media release? If you want coverage of an ag issue, trend, or company news, please email us.

Follow us on Social Media

 

Sign up to a Farms.com Newsletter

 

DisclaimerPrivacy Policy2025 ©AgMedia Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Back To Top