GROUND VS AERIAL APPLICATION
Many growers will not consider investing in aerial application of fertilizer because they believe it to be cost-prohibitive.
But consider this: When the crop loss that inevitably occurs with ground rig application–about 2 bushels per acre on average–is factored into the equation, the cost difference between ground and aerial application is negligible.
Call us today at 815.384.5151 or email us at hendricksonflyingservice@gmail.com to discuss pricing for liquid and dry fertilizer application.
NITROGEN AND CORN
Corn demands Nitrogen throughout the growing season, and its demands fluctuate and continue to grow as the season progresses. In fact, up to 75% of Nitrogen is used after V10. Therefore, if the crop receives too little Nitrogen late in the growing season, especially when kernels form, yield potential could be at risk.
While traditional side-dress methods offer growers the chance to split Nitrogen application, the window of application for this method is still short. As a result, getting Nitrogen to the crop during the critical V10 to VT uptake period may not be achievable.
Aerial application, on the other hand, widens the application window for growers and allows for a precisely timed application so that Nitrogen can be given to the crop when its uptake is at its most rapid.
UREA FIELD TESTS
Hendrickson Flying Service applied a number of Urea trials by air to several fields around the Malta and Rochelle area. Application during V10 demonstrated significant yield increases when compared to untreated control areas.
In the field below, Urea was aerially applied to a 20 acre section. When that section was compared to a 20 acre section just east of it, the average dry yield was 20 bushels per acre more in the treated section.
Due to its uniform elevation and soil quality, the field below proved to be a great test case, providing an excellent control to measure the treated area against. Urea was aerially applied to the east 20 acres, while the rest was left untreated, and as depicted in the yield map below, the yield increase was significant.
