Research on the Farm (ROTF)

Objective

The purpose of this project is to quantify the agronomic impacts of a nitrogen fixing biological product (Envita®) along with a reduced nitrogen rate on grain corn and spring wheat for yield and grain quality.

 Summary

• All the fertilizer treatments will be applied at the time of planting
• The reduced rate of Nitrogen will be about 80% of the full rate (a minimum reduction of at least 30 lbs N is recommended).
• Plant the same variety throughout the entire trial. Use the same planting rate for all treatments.
• Envita will be foliar applied at the 2-4 leaf stage (V2-V8). Follow labelled instructions and rates.
• The width of a strip must be at least as wide as a full combine header, preferably wider to ensure at least one “pure” combine pass per each treatment. The minimum harvested length should be 300 meters.
• All treatments should be harvested on the same day with each treatment being weighed off using a calibrated weigh wagon.

Grower Requirements

• Supply information (if unknown prior to planting) on location, planting date, variety, fertility, cropping history, etc. by June 30.
• Areas containing waterways and headlands should be avoided. All other factors in the trial area must be managed the same (planting date, variety, fertility, ).
• Note any significant weather events throughout the growing season, such as high winds, hail, or extreme precipitation events.
• Areas containing waterways and headlands should be avoided. All other factors in the trial area must be treated the same.
• Notify project coordinator prior to application so fields can be scouted prior to and after application of product.
• Alert project coordinator of expected harvest date and ensure all treatments are harvested the same day into a weigh wagon/calibrated grain cart, and that grain samples can be secured for protein and moisture content analysis.
• Allow MCA to use data for research, educational and information purposes.
• Must be a member in good standing with the MCA.

3rd Party Contractor Partners:

• MCA utilizes third party agronomic contractor services to assist and run on-farm trials.
• MCA will cover the cost of these services, there is no cost to the participant.
• Contractors authorized to conduct this trial on behalf of MCA are:
  • Tone Ag Consulting

MCA and Partners agree to:

• Attempt to collect aerial images from each field and provide them to the grower at no
• Set up trial with growers in field, soil sample, do plant counts after planting but before harvest, weigh individual strips with weigh wagon, take a harvest sample.
• Provide a report analyzing the statistical and economical treatment
• Keep data in a confidential manner that cannot be linked back to the individual producer by other parties.

Benefits to Growers:

• Access to the latest research which can be adapted to your
• Creating a crop production database for your local
• Higher quality of data – multiple evaluations across numerous farms under different management styles, soil types and cropping

IMPORTNAT NOTE:

A biofertility product (Envita) can be used to fulfill the mid to late season nitrogen fertility gap in a variety of crop types by nitrogen fixation. Envita claims an average increase in corn yields when applied in conjunction of a growers 100% nitrogen fertility rate, or the reduction of a grower’s nitrogen fertility rate of up to 27% while maintaining average corn yields.  These results occurred 73-80% of the time.