High precipitation and minimal crop demand for water in the spring makes for perfect conditions for water to move quickly through the soil profile, taking nitrogen with it. Although we cannot control the weather, there are a few management practices, including application timing, that can help prevent excess nitrogen losses in the spring, says the University of Minnesota.

Farmers can't predict their annual corn harvest with certainty, but with the help of new research from Michigan State University, they can now pinpoint specific parts of their fields that consistently produce either good or bad yields, allowing for smarter fertilizer application.

Purdue University Extension offers recommendations on further nitrogen applications based on results from recent soil samples.

It's difficult to estimate how much nitrate-N is lost from the root zone, but soil sampling and measuring the concentration of nitrate- and ammonium-N remaining is an alternative to guessing.

South Dakota State University discusses the chances for nitrogen loss due to deficient or abundant precipitation, and one product that may help slow volatilization of urea.

With excess rain occurring throughout the Midwest, Iowa State University Extension explains what impacts nitrogen loss from fall applications.

The University of Minnesota Extension provides guidelines developed through years of unbiased research to help growers make the best decisions for their nitrogen management.

If the soil profile is at water-holding capacity, there might be as much drainage as rain, increasing the changes of nitrogen leaching.