Potential Nitrogen Loss in Spring 2017

Lately it seems to be an annual question with no exception this spring – has there been nitrogen (N) loss from my applied N? That question should also include what has been the N loss from the soil N supply or residual nitrate-N. There is usually tile drainage every spring and sometimes but not usually in the late fall (remember a couple of years ago). Also, losses if soils become saturated (free water filling the soil pores, standing water, anaerobic conditions) and soils are warm then denitrification happens (biological conversion of nitrate to N gas). So some N loss from soils is typically occurring and can be small or large depending on many factors. Predictions of the effect on N supply, additional N fertilization need, etc. in wet periods is difficult. There are several approaches to take in making estimates of N status or loss