When producers think of managing soil nutrients in corn production, they likely think first of nitrogen and rightly so as it is the most common yield-limiting nutrient. But nitrogen is just the beginning of the story. Corn silage growers need to also test for and manage potassium, phosphorus and micronutrients to maximize yields and keep the soil productive over the long term.

Many dairy farmers rely increasingly on corn silage to meet forage needs. While the efficiencies associated with the production, harvest and storage of corn silage are attractive, a less desirable corollary of this management trend is the increased linkage of manure distribution with production of corn.