Dec 2024 corn is at $4.57 on the CBOT. It's not $6 or $7 but we can still make money at $4.50 if we watch our input costs. Split application, applying fertilizer closer to the time when the growing crop needs it, has been shown to reduce applied fertilizer needs by at least 1/3 while increasing net farm profit and reducing the chance for runoff into tile, streams, rivers and municipal water supplies. Nitrogen and sulphur are highly water soluble, followed by phosphorus. The practice of (over) applying N especially in the fall to "make sure there is enough there" the next June and July is very costly in many ways. Many of our own farm and town water wells are high in nitrates with long term health effects on our children especially. A common business truth: The point of maximum profit is almost never at the point of maximum production. | 
Will spring rains come this year?
