The Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association concluded its 4R Metric Survey – in reference to right source, right rate, right time, and right place nutrient management practices – in the summer of 2022. A questionnaire was sent to agricultural retail members with questions regarding varying nitrogen and phos- phorus agricultural practices for fall and spring. Beginning with the fall of 2018 and concluding after the spring of 2022, the survey spanned four growing seasons. Results are shown in Figures 4.34 and 4.35. This survey is comparable with the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Survey.
For the four fall seasons surveyed, 2018–21, the total acres serviced by survey respondents averaged 9,590,670 acres per season. Of the respondents that fall-applied anhydrous ammonia, either by retailer-ap- plication or by customer-application, an average of 91% of them applied ammonia after the fall application date recommended by University of Illinois. Also, an average of 90% of respondents indicated that fall-ap- plied anhydrous ammonia included a labeled nitrification inhibitor.
For the four spring seasons surveyed, 2019–2022, the total acres serviced by survey respondents averaged 6,494,250 acres per season. Responses indicated that 78% of the acres are soil tested at least every four years. The results show an average of 78% of total nitrogen rates applied were within the recommended range according to the updated Illinois Maximum Return To Nitrogen Calculator, available at cnrc.agron.iastate.edu/nRate.aspx.
Nitrogen
- 49% of corn acres received an application of fall ammonia. Of the corn acres that received fall am- monia: 91% was applied after the U of I recommended date.
- 90% included a labeled nitrification inhibitor.
- 78% received a rate of applied nitrogen less than the MRTN for corn-corn or corn-soybean rota- tion. This is an indication of a planned split nitrogen application.
Phosphorus
- 45% of acres received variable rate phosphorus application.
- 55% of acres received fall-applied phosphorus.
Soil Testing
- 78% of acres are tested at least once every four years.
- 32% of acres are above critical phosphorus values based on crop removal rates.
IFCA has developed a new survey, “The Illinois Ag Retail Survey,” to transition its efforts for obtaining information on agricultural practices. The program started at the beginning of 2023 and involves liaisons who visit agriculture retail facilities throughout the state to gather anonymous data on best management practices. This first year of the survey will focus on information from the 2022 growing season.
