Growing Nitrogen

Over the past few years, Pat Kane has been finding ways to "grow" his own nitrogen by interseeding red clover into corn and after harvest, planting a cool-season forage such as winter rye. This approach has allowed him to reduce nitrogen fertilizer costs while producing a high-protein feed source for his replacement heifers (protein 12-15%; Relative Feed Value (RFV) 100-120). As nitrogen prices continue to rise, practices that lower input costs, improve forage quality, and protect soil health and water quality offer benefits on multiple fronts. Watch the video to see what Pat's fields looked like before planting. Key management tips: 🌽Interseed 5-6 lbs./ac of red clover between the V4 and V6 corn growth stages. 🌱 Following corn silage harvest, seed around 70 lbs./ac of winter rye. Earlier planting generally leads to better establishment. 🌱 Nitrogen credits become available after the clover is terminated. The longer the clover grows, the greater the nitrogen credit. Planting flexibility: 🌧️ Wet years: Plant green into the rye. The actively growing rye helps remove excess soil moisture, improving field conditions for planting. 🏆 Optimal years (such as 2026): Plant into the living clover to maximize the nitrogen benefit while helping conserve soil moisture. ☀️ Dry years: Pay close attention to soil moisture and consider terminating earlier. This system provides flexibility from year to year while improving nutrient efficiency, producing quality forage, and supporting long-term soil health.