Increasing Corn Yield Potential

The last few years, the benefits of adding sulfur to corn fields have been touted by researchers throughout Iowa. According to Iowa State University and other agricultural experts, many Iowa soils have become increasingly short on the micro-nutrient Sulfur. Sulfur needs to be increased and more available for plant uptake to produce a healthy, vigorous, corn plant with increased yield potential. Currently the best available form of Sulfur for optimum plant uptake is AMS (Ammonium Sulfate). Rigorous testing done by Iowa State University Field Agronomists has been underway to support the recommendations for rates and best application techniques of this micro nutrient.

Besides using AMS for increasing sulfur availability, a split application of multiple forms of Nitrogen (N) is highly recommended by ISU. These applications should be at varying times of the year to increase potential corn yields. Traditionally, Iowa farmers might use a split application of fall applied anhydrous ammonia (NH₃) as their first treatment of N. This is then followed by a second application of UAN at planting or with a side dressed application. An even better option is to use the UAN as a carrier with your pre-emerge herbicides for optimum weed control.  SFG has taken this traditional split application to a new level by adding one additional step to combine AMS + pre-emerge herbicides and applying it pre-emergence to corn crops. This process saves time and money. It accomplishes several key recommendations promoted by experts to increase corn yield potential.