Carrollton

I worked in the Wrights and Carrollton area today. Soil is drying out much more than I expected although I can hardly say it is dry.   Tillage would go well with a minimum of lumps.  I took the soil temperature at 10AM to see where we are for nitrogen application.  fall Nitrogen should not be applied until soil temperatures reach 50 degrees Fahrenheit.  This is despite the fact that the IL Agronomy Handbook says 60.  The reason for 50 is that at 60 it is very likely to get warmer at some time.  At 50, we hope it will stay below 60.  Remember to use Nitrification inhibitor.  Soil temperatures will be pretty variable.  Today is was 58 in corn stalks.  Chiseled ground will be much warmer.  Hang in there guys.  With the good harvest weather, there is bound to be a window to apply your anhydrous.

Meantime get a thermometer like the one below for less than $10 at Walmart.  It needs to have a probe 4 inches or longer.