Measuring nitrogen, weather like no other

Many farmers struggle with understanding what is going on out in their fields and a company known as Nitrogen Pulse is looking to change that.

The company produces nitrogen recommendations for corn by addressing issues such as how much nitrogen to apply, maintaining the right amount and when and where to add it. The venture started about six years ago when the owners recognized there was a great need for nitrogen management. After all, nitrogen is a farmer’s third largest input cost.

“It is probably one of the largest drivers of success or failure of whether those programs work or not,” said Scot Benson, a partner with Nitrogen Pulse, who is based in DeKalb County.

Nitrogen Pulse starts the process of utilizing a nitrogen test that determines how much free, or organic, nitrogen is produced in the soil every year.

“From that, we make a nitrogen recommendation,” explained Benson.

Since weather is one of the main ingredients which makes a crop year successful, Nitrogen Pulse started another company harvesting weather data through a contracted developer known as Weather Pulse.

“The two work hand in hand together.”

Great insight is provided into the interaction of weather with the growing crop. Weather Pulse provides services which track crop development and the critical growing points for nitrogen demand. This is all integrated into the platform.

“There is real time in-season nitrogen loss recognition,” added Benson. “We can track your fall-applied anhydrous as you start a subscription.”

One unique feature is that the company has one of the only commercially available soil temperature forecasts at a four-inch depth, which is valuable to farmers. This can help with planting decisions two weeks out. Also, a weed germination guide will forecast when certain weed species will emerge.

“We have taken the forecasting part of it and smoothed it out, trying to deliver more value for corn growers.”

Forecasts are broken down into 1-5, 6-10 and 11-15 day forecasts and subscribers are sent three forecasts of air temperature, highs and lows and deviation from normal. Benson notes if a farmer cannot get corn out of the ground in 10 days or less, they will pay a severe penalty in yield – up to 2 to 2.5 percent per day.

“If I planted corn today, what is the likelihood that I could get corn out of the ground in 10 days or less? That should be the minimum of everybody’s goal when planting corn,” observed Benson.

While the forecasts provided through Weather Pulse do not directly tell a farmer when or when not to plant, the company feels it has tremendous value to farmers.

“We don’t have any competition out there that makes that kind of a forecast.”

As soon as it is activated and paid for, the subscription for services begins and is good all the way through black layer on corn. Weather Pulse is field specific on a point subscription basis using latitude and longitude to accurately track rainfall at a certain site.

Benson is giving away free National Weather Service certified rain gauges through Weather Pulse which hold 11 inches of rain. Simply call or text 815-762-4374 and tell him you heard this on the Central Illinois Farm Network. You can also e-mail: scotwt1@gmail.com. He can also set up new subscribers to the Nitrogen Pulse and Weather Pulse services. More information can be found at www.nitrogenpulse.com.