UMN Extension Nutrient Management Podcast

University of Minnesota Extension
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Natural Sciences
  • Updated Monthly

Welcome to University of Minnesota Extension's Nutrient Management Podcast. Each month we bring you the latest research in nutrient management for crops and how you can incorporate the latest tips and best management practices to your farm.

  1. 23h ago

    Complexity in manure nutrient availability: Nitrogen, species & bedding

    Manure nutrient management is uniquely complex, and we discuss some reasons why on today's Advancing Nitrogen Smart episode. What specific factors make manure management far more complex than applying standard chemical fertilizer? How do digestive systems and diets cause nitrogen availability to differ across various livestock species? Why does nitrogen availability decline so rapidly when manure is left exposed on the soil surface, and how much may be lost to atmospheric evaporation within a just few days? How can farmers optimize their fertilizer investments and evaluate whether their crops received sufficient nitrogen using late-season testing? These questions and more on today's 42nd episode of Advancing Nitrogen Smart. Guests: Brad Carlson, Extension educator (Mankato)Melissa Wilson, Extension manure nutrient management specialist (St. Paul)Additional resources: How to put together a manure management planNitrogen availability of different manure types: What we know and what we are researchingManure use benefits and barriers: Insights from a survey of farmers and advisorsIntroducing ManureDB: A new way to view manure variability and trendsTips for fall manure application and how to avoid nutrient loss--- For the latest nutrient management information, subscribe to the Nutrient Management Podcast. And don't forget to subscribe to the Minnesota Crop News daily or weekly email newsletter, subscribe to our YouTube channel, like UMN Extension Nutrient Management on Facebook, follow us on X (formerly twitter), and visit our website. If you have questions or comments, please email us at nutmgmt@umn.edu. Advancing Nitrogen Smart is proud to be supported by the farm families of Minnesota and their corn check-off investment through Minnesota Corn.

    Complexity in manure nutrient availability: Nitrogen, species & bedding

  2. 6d ago

    Managing dry edible beans: Insights from four Midwest experts

    Dry edible beans are an important Minnesota crop, and we explore them further on today's Nutrient Management Podcast. We talk with four experts from around the Midwest about your dry bean questions: What are some similarities and differences managing for dry edible bean versus soybean, for example? What should farmers keep in mind about growing in the Red River Valley, or Southern Minnesota, or elsewhere in the Midwest? What does recent research indicate pertaining to dry bean? What major yield-limiting factors do farmers need to be aware of when growing dry edible bean? All of this and much more on today's episode of Nutrient Management Podcast. Guests: Kristin Simons, research agronomist, North Dakota State UniversityAna Carcedo, broadleaf agronomist, North Dakota State UniversityBijesh Maharjan, Extension specialist, University of Nebraska-LincolnDaniel Kaiser, Extension nutrient management specialist (St. Paul)Additional Resources: Taking another look at nitrogen requirements for dry bean production in MinnesotaFertilizing dried edible beans in MinnesotaFertilizing pinto, navy, and other dry edible beanBlack and navy bean row spacingPinto bean row spacingMN CropCast: Dry bean acreage increasing as alternative crop— For the latest nutrient management information, subscribe to the Nutrient Management Podcast. And don't forget to subscribe to the Minnesota Crop News daily or weekly email newsletter, subscribe to our YouTube channel, like UMN Extension Nutrient Management on Facebook, follow us on X (formerly twitter), and visit our website. If you have questions or comments, please email us at nutmgmt@umn.edu.

    Managing dry edible beans: Insights from four Midwest experts

  3. Sep 9

    Reducing N loss to water with land management principles & the 4Rs

    How do soil health practices—such as minimizing disturbance, maintaining ground cover, and promoting biological activity—interact with the 4Rs of nitrogen management to reduce runoff and nitrate leaching into water sources? How does nitrogen release (mineralize) or become tied up (immobilize) in residue depending on soil moisture, temperature, and microbial activity? Are biological soil tests (like the Haney test and Solvita CO₂ burst) precise tools for calculating exact fertilizer rates, or should they be considered general risk indexes? What role do strong soil structure and expansive root systems play in maximizing nitrogen uptake? Brad Carlson, Anna Cates and Dan Kaiser discuss this and much more on the 41st episode of the Advancing Nitrogen Smart podcast. Guests: Brad Carlson, Extension educator (Mankato)Dan Kaiser, Extension nutrient management specialist (St. Paul)Anna Cates, state soil health specialist (St. Paul)Additional resources: Soil health and water quality: How are they connected?The connection between soil organic matter and soil waterThe state of Minnesota's soil health: How many farmers are doing no-till, cover crops, and moreNitrogen SmartMinnesota Office for Soil Health - MOSH--- For the latest nutrient management information, subscribe to the Nutrient Management Podcast. And don't forget to subscribe to the Minnesota Crop News daily or weekly email newsletter, subscribe to our YouTube channel, like UMN Extension Nutrient Management on Facebook, follow us on X (formerly twitter), and visit our website. If you have questions or comments, please email us at nutmgmt@umn.edu. Advancing Nitrogen Smart is proud to be supported by the farm families of Minnesota and their corn check-off investment through Minnesota Corn.

    Reducing N loss to water with land management principles & the 4Rs

  4. Aug 20

    2026 Fall fertilizer outlook: Crop results, current input prices & future options

    August is in full swing, which means it's time for the Fall Fertilizer Outlook on the Nutrient Management Podcast. Our panelists recently returned from Minnesota's annual Farm Fest where they heard directly from farmers. How did crops do during the 2026 field season? What are current fertilizer prices, and are there alternative options that farmers might want to consider? What kind of planning tools might be useful for MN growers as we head into fall? Which fertilizer decisions might be postponed until spring? All of this plus more on the Nutrient Management Podcast. Guests: Brad Carlson, Extension educator (Mankato)Daniel Kaiser, Extension nutrient management specialist (St. Paul)Jeff Vetsch, Lead researcher, Southern Research and Outreach Center (Waseca)Additional Resources: Corn Nitrogen Rate CalculatorU of M Corn Fertilizer GuidelinesWhy understanding the “price ratio” is key to picking a profitable nitrogen fertilizer rate for corn (2025 blog post)Updated corn nitrogen rates: What are we currently seeing for N fertilizer requirements in Minnesota? (2025 blog post)Making sense of Minnesota’s corn fertilizer guidelines: Frequently asked questions and answers (2023 blog post)--- For the latest nutrient management information, subscribe to the Nutrient Management Podcast. And don't forget to subscribe to the Minnesota Crop News daily or weekly email newsletter, subscribe to our YouTube channel, like UMN Extension Nutrient Management on Facebook, follow us on X (formerly twitter), and visit our website. If you have questions or comments, please email us at nutmgmt@umn.edu. Support for the Nutrient Management Podcast is provided by Minnesota's fertilizer tonnage fee through the Agricultural Fertilizer Research & Education Council (AFREC). Learn more at MNsoilfertility.com.

    2026 Fall fertilizer outlook: Crop results, current input prices & future options

  5. Aug 13

    "A multivitamin for your soil": Some of the benefits (& challenges) of manure use

    The benefits and challenges of manure use in general is the topic on this 40th episode of the Advancing Nitrogen Smart podcast series. What is it about manure that makes it good for the soil - and what makes livestock bedding an important addition? What's in manure that's organic but isn't living? What makes the benefits of manure usage long-term in nature? How should people think about manure use related to water quality issues? What kinds of tech might farmers want to be on the lookout for which affect manure use efficiency? According to panelist Melissa Wilson, manure is like a multivitamin for the soil. Find out why she thinks so on today show. Guests: Brad Carlson, Extension educator (Mankato)Melissa Wilson, Extension manure nutrient management specialist (St. Paul)Additional Resources: Manure managementHow to put together a manure management planNitrogen availability of different manure types: What we know, and what we are researchingManure use benefits and barriers: Insights from a survey of farmers and advisorsTips for fall manure application and how to avoid nutrient loss--- For the latest nutrient management information, subscribe to the Nutrient Management Podcast. And don't forget to subscribe to the Minnesota Crop News daily or weekly email newsletter, subscribe to our YouTube channel, like UMN Extension Nutrient Management on Facebook, follow us on X (formerly twitter), and visit our website. If you have questions or comments, please email us at nutmgmt@umn.edu. Advancing Nitrogen Smart is proud to be supported by the farm families of Minnesota and their corn check-off investment through Minnesota Corn.

    "A multivitamin for your soil": Some of the benefits (& challenges) of manure use

  6. Jul 30

    Manure under a microscope: What variables affect nutrient value? (hint: they all do)

    Today on Advancing Nitrogen Smart we ask an unusual question: What is manure, really? We all know manure is made of the liquids and solids that pass through an animal's digestive system, but what has to happen for manure to become usable? Is all manure created equal, or do differences in animal type - and their feed - result in manure with variable nutrient values? How do factors like handling, storage and animal bedding impact available nutrients in manure? What are some of the long-term benefits of manure application? Is there an optimal time of year to apply manure? Brad Carlson and Melissa Wilson answer these questions and many more on this 39th episode of the Advancing Nitrogen Smart podcast. Guests: Brad Carlson, Extension educator (Mankato)Melissa Wilson, Extension manure nutrient management specialist (St. Paul)Additional Resources: How to put together a manure management planNitrogen availability of different manure types: What we know and what we are researchingManure use benefits and barriers: Insights from a survey of farmers and advisorsIntroducing ManureDB: A new way to view manure variability and trendsGuidelines for manure application rates--- For the latest nutrient management information, subscribe to the Nutrient Management Podcast. And don't forget to subscribe to the Minnesota Crop News daily or weekly email newsletter, subscribe to our YouTube channel, like UMN Extension Nutrient Management on Facebook, follow us on X (formerly twitter), and visit our website. If you have questions or comments, please email us at nutmgmt@umn.edu. Advancing Nitrogen Smart is proud to be supported by the farm families of Minnesota and their corn check-off investment through Minnesota Corn.

    Manure under a microscope: What variables affect nutrient value? (hint: they all do)

  7. Jul 15

    Heavy June rain & nutrient management: 3 Minnesota experts weigh in

    We're examining the effect of recent heavy rainfall on input decision-making in today's Nutrient Management Podcast. What adverse or severe weather conditions did parts of Minnesota recently experience? How does it compare to past events? It's currently mid-July; what did the Minnesota Drought Monitor say about our drought levels before the rainfall? Was the soil profile able to accept more water as a result? What effect did the heavy rain have on nutrients in the field? At this point in the season, are corn crops past the risk of damage? What effect do soil types have on both the amount of N recommended, and the speed at which the N can potentially leave the field? All this and more on today's episode. Guests: Brad Carlson, Extension educator (Mankato)Daniel Kaiser, Extension nutrient management specialist (St. Paul)Jeff Vetsch, U of M researcher (Waseca)Additional Resources: Minnesota Drought MonitorField Notes talks about what to expect after heavy June rains (recorded 2025)Did applying supplemental nitrogen fertilizer to corn in south-central Minnesota pay?Why understanding the nitrogen cycle is key to managing soil fertilityFertilizing corn in Minnesota— Listen to all Nutrient Management Podcast episodes. For the latest nutrient management information, subscribe to the Nutrient Management Podcast. And don't forget to subscribe to the Minnesota Crop News daily or weekly email newsletter, subscribe to our YouTube channel, like UMN Extension Nutrient Management on Facebook, follow us on X (formerly twitter), and visit our website. If you have questions or comments, please email us at nutmgmt@umn.edu. Support for the Nutrient Management Podcast is provided by Minnesota's fertilizer tonnage fee through the Agricultural Fertilizer Research & Education Council (AFREC). Learn more at MNsoilfertility.com.

    Heavy June rain & nutrient management: 3 Minnesota experts weigh in

  8. Jul 10

    Nitrate reduction with perennials: Possible candidates, strategies, & benefits

    Nitrate reduction with perennial plants is the topic on today's Advancing Nitrogen Smart podcast. What are some pros and cons of covers like rye, oat and alfalfa for reducing nitrate? How do they compare in terms of biomass or establishment? What sets alfalfa apart as a cover crop candidate? How does our Minnesota climate affect a strategy for perennials? How could cover crop benefits stack up when used in conjunction with a dairy operation for example? Do some areas of the landscape benefit from perennials more than others? All this and more on the 38th episode of Advancing Nitrogen Smart. Guests: Brad Carlson, Extension educator (Mankato)Dan Kaiser, Extension nutrient management specialist (St. Paul)Additional resources: Cover CropsBest management for cover crops in unfavorable weather patternsGrowing cover crops in Minnesota: 4 great resources to get you startedVideo: Can cover crops reduce nitrate loss in tile drainage?Midwest Cover Crops Council (Minnesota)Strategic Farming: Let's talk cover crops!--- For the latest nutrient management information, subscribe to the Nutrient Management Podcast. And don't forget to subscribe to the Minnesota Crop News daily or weekly email newsletter, subscribe to our YouTube channel, like UMN Extension Nutrient Management on Facebook, follow us on X (formerly twitter), and visit our website. If you have questions or comments, please email us at nutmgmt@umn.edu. Advancing Nitrogen Smart is proud to be supported by the farm families of Minnesota and their corn check-off investment through Minnesota Corn.

    Nitrate reduction with perennials: Possible candidates, strategies, & benefits
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Welcome to University of Minnesota Extension's Nutrient Management Podcast. Each month we bring you the latest research in nutrient management for crops and how you can incorporate the latest tips and best management practices to your farm.

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