Coordinating agronomist: Marie-Laurence Côté
Organization: Groupe Envir-Eau-Sol Inc.
Practice: Nitrogen management
Trial started: Spring 2026
Barrier: Applying some nitrogen (N) after corn emergence may better align nitrogen availability with periods of high crop demand, but the timing can conflict with time-sensitive field operations, such as first-cut hay on dairy farms. Applying all N before emergence may improve operational efficiency for these farms, particularly when combined with planting and strip-till in a single pass, while polymer-coated urea may help extend nitrogen availability. Producers lack regional data on whether this approach can maintain yield and provide an agronomically, economically, and environmentally viable alternative.
Description: A strip trial conducted in two fields on a commercial dairy and cash crop farm in Quebec will compare two corn nitrogen strategies at similar total nitrogen rates. The control will include starter fertilizers banded at planting, followed by a post-emergence blend of urea and ammonium sulfate around the V6 stage. In the treatment strips, starter fertilizers and a 50:50 blend of polymer-coated urea and conventional urea will be applied in a single pass, combining planting and strip-tillage, with no post-emergence nitrogen application. Crop performance, nitrogen dynamics, labour, fuel use, treatment costs, and potential greenhouse gas emissions will be assessed to compare the agronomic, operational, economic, and environmental trade-offs of the two strategies.