Nitrogen on Wheat

Wheat is not nearly the most widely grown crop in Illinois, but the acreage is significant.  Also significant is the potential for nitrogen runoff if it is not applied properly.  I have not seen it, but I have heard of several people applying nitrogen to their wheat in the past week.  This seems like a good idea from the standpoint of being able to get across frozen ground, but it is a bad idea from every other aspect.

• Winter is not when the crop needs nitrogen
• Runoff potential is high.  
• Research shows that later nitrogen applications pay off in higher yield

Over the weekend we had over and inch of rain and most of it ran off because the ground is frozen.  That means most of the recently applied nitrogen went with it.

Research in Illinois has showed that applying nitrogen when it breaks dormancy or maybe a little after will pay off in higher yield.

My advice is to hang in there and wait.