11/06/2025
By late in the season, there’s usually not much that can be done to fix nutrient problems—but it is the perfect time to evaluate how your current fertility program performed and decide if any changes are needed for next year.
An end-of-season cornstalk test can reveal whether the crop had too much or too little nitrogen for optimal yields. And soil testing is just as important—it helps you understand total nutrient availability and whether additional fertilizer may be needed to support next season’s growth.
Fall is also a great time to sample for soil nitrate and review nitrogen management practices. For accurate results, take samples from representative areas of each field, down to about two feet, to measure residual nitrate levels.
In-season plant tissue sampling is another valuable tool for spotting nutrient deficiencies early. For corn, the ear leaf at silking is typically tested to check levels of nitrogen, sulfur, magnesium, and zinc.
