Reminders for Successful Anhydrous Ammonia Applications

In just a few weeks, fall nitrogen applications will be underway across the Midwest. Now is the time to make sure you’re ready to help your customers get the max out of their fall anhydrous ammonia.

Fall Nitrogen Application Reminders
Here are four reminders to ensure successful fall applications:

1. Do not fall-apply on coarse or sandy soils.
2. Perform soil tests for customers beforehand to make sure you're not overapplying or underapplying nitrogen.
3. Wait until the soil temperature is consistently between 50 and 32 F.
     ∙ Temperatures greater than 50 F can speed up nitrogen loss.
     ∙ The soil will not absorb nitrogen once it's frozen.
4. Protect customers' anhydrous ammonia applications with N-Serve® nitrogen stabilizer.
5. The suggested use rate of N-Serve with fall anhydrous ammonia is 1qt./A.

Nitrogen is one of the most important factors to determine a good corn yield. It’s also one of the most expensive inputs for your customers each year (and costs have risen sharply in 2021). So protecting that investment with a proven nitrogen stabilizer like N-Serve is imperative this fall.

Anhydrous Ammonia Application Prep
As you know, it’s important to have equipment ready to roll quickly once the ground is fit for fall nitrogen applications. One of the most important pieces of equipment to prepare ahead of anhydrous ammonia applications is your pump for N-Serve. Here is a quick checklist from Corteva Agriscience with eight steps to make sure your pump is ready:

1. Flush the system with kerosene.
2. Check for — and fix — leaking fittings or seals.
3. Check for and replace worn or leaking hoses.
4. Check the relief valve setting on the pump. It should pump up to, and relieve at, 200 to 225 psi.
5. Clean the filter screen in the strainer basket. A clogged strainer basket is the most common problem with pumps that are not pumping the correct volume.
6. Check the power and tank vent.
7. Calibrate the pump to ensure a proper amount is dispensed.
8. Fill the pump with N-Serve and keep it full during the season. Don’t let the pump dry out.

The right time for nitrogen applications relies heavily on Mother Nature, and it’s hard to know when exactly she’ll be ready. Taking a few preparation measures now can ensure you’re ready to go at a moment’s notice and meet your customers’ fall nitrogen needs.

™ ® Trademarks of Corteva Agriscience and its affiliated companies. Do not fall-apply anhydrous ammonia south of Highway 16 in the state of Illinois. Always read and follow label directions. © 2021 Corteva.