Spring nitrogen tips for Ohio grain farmers

As temperatures gradually increase over the remainder of the month, the window will begin opening to start making your spring nitrogen applications for small grains. There are a variety of small-grain species grown in the area, and each will break dormancy at different points.

Rye will begin green-up the earliest, to be followed by triticale and barley, and wheat is the latest. You should be assessing your current growth stage, targeting your applications to be completed before the first stem node is visible (Fleeke’s Growth Stage 6). If you have multiple species planted, you can focus your attention on the earliest that break dormancy and proceed to those that will green up later in April.

The goal is to target your nitrogen application when the plant will be undergoing rapid growth. Applying most commercial nitrogen-based fertilizers too early creates the possibility of nitrogen loss as the plant’s highest N requirement isn’t until after jointing.

Urea-ammonium nitrate, or 28%, has the greatest potential loss and ammonium sulfate the least. Remember no stabilizer will protect the nitrate component of UAN, which is roughly 25% of the total N in UAN at application.

The Tri-State Fertilizer Recommendation Bulletin provides a formula to determine the total N you should be targeting. The formula is N rate = (1.33 X Yield Potential) – 13. You can credit yourself for any fall N applications, but most experts say to only take a credit of up to 20 units/acre from your fall application.

If manure will be your preferred nitrogen source, there are a few things to consider. Glen Arnold, OSU Extension manure nutrient management specialist, has provided some tips when using manure as your primary nitrogen source. Glen points out swine finishing manure is the best option for topdressing small grains. On average, finishing manure will provide between 30 and 40 pounds of N per 1,000 gallons applied.

As many of you will take advantage of dairy manure, it is unlikely it will provide enough N to take a crop to grain harvest. Although N content will vary depending on water content and diet fed, most dairy manure will provide 10-11 pounds of N per 1,000 gallons. How much you should apply will rely on you getting an analysis of the manure you want to apply and then making up the difference with commercial products.

I also should point out that when you review your manure test results, you should focus on the amount of nitrogen in the ammonium form. This form is the one that is readily available to the current growing crop. This value will be different from total nitrogen in the sample. Nitrogen in the other forms will eventually be available, but the amount is unpredictable as it is dependent on conversion to the ammonium forms by soil microbes, which are influenced by soil moisture and temperature.

There are several regional programs I want to make you aware of. First, we have completed the five private pesticide and fertilizer applicator recertification sessions for Wayne and Holmes counties. If you are still in need of recertifying, you have until March 31 to attend a session. If you need help finding a location, you can contact me for assistance.

There is still one session of our All About Sheep webinar series. On March 17 Dr. Nicki Jolliff will discuss flock health considerations for this spring. The program is free, and if you attend one session, we will give you access to recordings for all four sessions. The session will begin at 7 p.m., and you can register at go.osu.edu/allaboutsheep26.

Also, the OSU Beef Team is continuing its webinar series. The next session will be March 19, when OSU Extension beef specialist Garth Ruff will discuss How Profitable Is That Cow. You can register for the series at go.osu.edu/beefschool26.

Two regional conferences will be held at the Shisler Conference Center in March. The OSU Small Farm Conference will be held March 14. Conference details and registration information can be found at go.osu.edu/smallfarmconference2026. The second is the Eastern Ohio Women in Ag Conference, scheduled for March 27. The conference agenda and registration information can be found at u.osu.edu/womeninag.

Finally, we will host a four-night Small Farm Business College beginning April 8. All four sessions will be held from 6:30-9 p.m. at the Fisher Auditorium. There will be a variety of farm business topics related to goal setting, evaluating your resources, budgeting, tax planning and ag law considerations. The registration fee is $60 per participant, and dinner will be provided at each session.

Complete program information can be found on our website at wayne.osu.edu under the Events tab. If you have any questions about these programs or questions in general, reach out to me at Wayne County OSU Extension at 330-264-8722.

John Yost is an ANR educator with Wayne County OSU Extension.