Estimating nitrogen losses -- early spring 2007

One method to judge nitrogen (N) loss is to calculate an estimate. Predicting the exact amount is quite difficult as many factors affect losses. However, estimates can provide guidance for supplemental N applications. While the rainfall this spring has been substantial, it arrived early. This should help moderate loss compared to the same situation occurring in late spring or early summer. In the early spring, soils are colder, so conversion to nitrate and denitrification is slowed. However, having two large rainfall events means that some soils were saturated over a prolonged period. This increases the chance for loss