Hybrid Selection Matters to Your Nitrogen Plan

Kelly Els
Sales & Marketing Manager, CCA
 

Is Hybrid Selection a Factor in Your Nitrogen Plan?

You might think that this is a strange question since hybrid selection is usually not top of mind when it comes to your nitrogen plan for a given year or field level. If you were to make a checklist of the factors that you consider when making your nitrogen plan it may look like this:

1. Previous Crop
2. Yield Goal
3. Past Performance
4. Nitrogen Cost
5. Weather (More than normal rainfall)

Thanks to our partners with WinField United, we can add Hybrid Selection to this list. WinField United has developed a strategic approach to nitrogen management through its Response-to-Nitrogen (RTN) scores, a component of its comprehensive agronomic data platform. These scores, derived from extensive field research, assist farmers in tailoring nitrogen applications to optimize crop yields and input efficiency based on hybrid. This research includes the Key Cooperative brands of Dekalb, Brevant, and Croplan as well as one of our competitive brands.
 

Understanding RTN Scores

RTN scores quantify a hybrid's yield response to varying nitrogen levels. High RTN hybrids exhibit significant yield increases with additional nitrogen, while low RTN hybrids show minimal response, indicating their suitability for low-fertility environments or reduced nitrogen applications. This distinction allows for more precise input allocation, enhancing return on investment (ROI) and environmental sustainability.
 

Practical Applications of RTN Scores

1. Optimizing Fertilizer Use: Farmers can adjust nitrogen applications based on RTN scores, applying more to high-RTN hybrids and less to low-RTN hybrids, thereby reducing input costs without sacrificing yield potential.
2. Variable-Rate Technology Integration: Utilizing RTN data helps in creating variable-rate prescriptions that match nitrogen applications to specific field zones, improving nutrient efficiency.
3. In-Season Adjustments: Monitoring soil nitrogen levels through late spring nitrate tests, enables timely adjustments to nitrogen applications, ensuring crops receive adequate nutrients during critical growth stages.

By leveraging RTN scores, farmers are empowered to make data-driven decisions that enhance nitrogen use efficiency, reduce costs, and improve crop yields. This approach aligns with sustainable agricultural practices and supports the goal of maximizing productivity while minimizing environmental impact.  For more information on how you can use Response to Nitrogen Scores to maximize yield on your farm, please reach out to your local Key Cooperative Sales Agronomist.