Author
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SCHEPERS, JAMES |
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SHANAHAN, JOHN |
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Submitted to: Fluid Journal
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 2/2/2005 Publication Date: 3/1/2005 Citation: Schepers, J.S., and J.F. Shanahan, 2005. Variable-rate N management. Fluid Journal Vol. 13(3), 49:20-23. Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Variable rate nitrogen (N) management seemingly has many positive attributes, but is only slowly being adopted by producers. The primary reason at this time is probably the lack of a consistently adequate economic incentive unless high-value crops are involved. Several commercial products and approaches are available to help producers evaluate the technologies. These include components that might be used to assess N needs, make variable-rate N recommendations, and/or variably apply products for individuals who would like to build their own management programs. Others include commercial services that provide a comprehensive package of activities for producers who are not prepared to handle the intimidation component of new technologies or find it more convenient and less risky to hire others to provide the services. Users of the technologies have multiple options in terms which inputs to the N recommendation process might logically include a spatial component and which do not. These options and considerations are discussed in terms of past experiences and suggest ways users might move forward to develop modified approaches that increase fertilizer use efficiency, minimize potential environmental consequences, and enhance profitability. |
