SAES-422 Multistate Research Activity Accomplishments Report

Sections

Status: Approved

Basic Information

Participants

Ritchey, Edwin (edwin.ritchey@uky.edu) – University of Kentucky; Steinke, Kurt (ksteinke@msu.edu) – Michigan State University; Ribeiro, Ricardo (ricardo.ribeiro@uky.edu) - University of Kentucky; Singh, Gurbir (singhgu@missouri.edu) – University of Missouri; Nelson, Kelly (nelsonke@missouri.edu) - University of Missouri; Kaiser, Daniel (dekaiser@umn.edu)– University of Minnesota; Ruiz Diaz, Dorivar (ruizdiaz@ksu.edu) – Kansas State University; Fontes, Giovani (giovani3@illinois.edu) - University of Illinois; Nafziger, Emerson (ednaf@illinois.edu) – University of Illinois; Jones, John (jones86@illinois.edu) – University of Illinois; Rosen, Carl (rosen006@umn.edu) – University of Minnesota (Administrative Advisor); Maharjan, Bijesh (bmaharjan@unl.edu) – University of Nebraska; Rayne, Natasha (nrayne@wisc.edu) – University of Wisconsin; Rakkar, Manbir (rakkar.4@osu.edu)– Ohio State University; Goettl, Brady (brady.goettl@ndsu.edu) – North Dakota State University

Final-Report-NCERA-103.docx
  • Welcome, introductions, review of last year’s minutes and current agenda.
  • Set future meeting date and time relative to the North Central Extension Industry Soil Fertility Conference (NCEISFC) - the morning of the first day of the NCEISFC.
  • Discussed the compendium housing arrangements and fee structure to cover costs.
  • We identified and updated NCERA 103 participants on websites and mail lists.
  • Reviewed the NCERA 103 and NIMSS Websites for accuracy.
  • Discussed how to increase the traffic to NCERA 103 website.
    • We can post individual state’s newsletters and extension webpages to NCERA 103 site but need to decide on procedure.
    • Include webcasts and podcasts to the website.
    • We need to be more active in updating the website with applicable material to keep the website current.
  • Discussed what kind of activities we need to complete as a group for the next cycle. Take advantage as opportunities present themselves.
  • Will need to renew the committee before the meeting next year.
    • State intent to renew the committee (9/15/26 or earlier)
    • Issues and justification and objectives due as final in NIMSS (10/15/26)
    • Full proposal due (12/1/26)
2025-NCERA103-Minutes.docx

Accomplishments

Status of Committee Objectives and Activities: The NCERA 103 Committee continues to focus on testing and compiling data regarding products that meet the description related to “Specialized Soil Amendments and Products, Growth Stimulants and Soil Fertility Management Programs”. The meeting was held the morning of the first day of the North Central Extension-Industry Soil Fertility Conference, November 19, 2025. The committee agreed to continue holding the meeting prior to the North Central Soil Fertility Conference moving forward. This meeting time favors travel for most participants. Many of the findings reported in the compendium resulted from interested parties seeking information on a particular product or practices, despite limited funding sources available to conduct this research. The lack of funding opportunities for this type of research further makes the work of this committee more important.

Research findings are posted on the NCERA 103 website once the criterion for inclusion is met. We discussed that we aren’t a research committee rather an extension committee. We are not expected to conduct large-scale research projects but collaborate with committee members by information sharing. The information gathered from this meeting and similar meetings are shared between us and our respective clientele. We also discussed developing a shared file describing current work. This file will be circulated so the committee members (and others they work with) are aware of areas in which others are working to enhance collaborative opportunities of the group.

 

Website: The NCERA 103 Committee has a website hosted by PAQ International. Initially, participants contributed to cover the cost associated with the website move and redevelopment from Iowa State to the PAQ International server in the 2022 – 2023 cycle. No funds were collected in the 2023 – 2024 cycle for website maintenance and methods to support the website were discussed. The group agreed that a separate registration fee be added to the North Central Conference registration. We agreed to charge the official representative for each state. The amount charged can be adjusted annually, if necessary, to align with charges due for the website. States were charged $120 this year to cover this year and last year’s dues. The 2026-2027 charges should be closer to $55 each for each participant. Excess/deficit funds will be addressed the following cycle. The website statistics from November 2025 indicated 702 active users with 672 new users. People accessing the site were from USA, China, Singapore, Canada, and Germany.

 

Committee Member Updates:

2025-2026 Chair Kentucky, Secretary Michigan

2026-2027 Chair Michigan, Secretary Minnesota

Dan Quinn from Indiana (Purdue University) is being replaced by Megan Bourns.

Others requesting being posted on NCERA 103 webpage. Giovani Fontes (Illinois), Javed Iqbal (Nebraska), Ricardo Ribeiro (Kentucky), and Gurbir Singh (Missouri).

Accomplishments:

A main accomplishment is that this committee continues to meet and discuss research findings and methods to understand and provide our respective clientele with the most current knowledge related to non-traditional products and practices associated with our various states and regions. A lot of information is shared between states every year at this meeting which helps to keep the respective members aware of the different products and practices being promoted. This available information is shared with our producers, extension agents and others in the agricultural community. The NCERA 103 committee supports the website (https://ncera103.org) as it is still a valuable resource to us and our stakeholders. The website is easier to find and use than in the past and simple to pass along to others seeking potential product information. I regularly share website information with extension agents and others seeking information regarding non-traditional or specialized products and practices. I email the NCERA 103 website each year to the extension listserves and show them how to use (with example). We developed a shared folder between the universities represented in the NCERA 103 Committee that lists individual research projects. Large multi-state research projects are nice, but it is much easier and more likely to have smaller groups working together on these projects. The shared folder will keep the group informed of upcoming research trials and potential collaboration between universities. We also discussed and determined ways to improve traffic to the website by linking state specific websites and newsletters to the NCERA 103 site. It was agreed that linking individual university websites and newsletters will benefit website traffic.The improved traffic to the NCERA 103 website will aid in information dissemination to the clientele. Individual accomplishments for this committee always consist of multiple extension-related presentations, programs and discussions related to the focus of this group - Specialized Soil Amendments and Products, Growth Stimulants, and Soil Fertility Management Programs. Multiple different products are tested by this committee in one of the categories mentioned above along with more traditional soil fertility products and practices. Some specific examples of committee research include various fertilizer rates, additives, sources, timing and placement, sulfur fertility response trials and interactions with other nutrient applications, heavy metal uptake in field cropping systems, biologicals, soil amendments, and micronutrients. The regular scholarly means for information dissemination include extension presentations, field days, printed and online extension and research publications, television, radio, podcasts, YouTube, newsletters, and many listserves. All these presentations, field days, industry meetings, etc. are examples of how we share the findings that support the goals of the NCERA 103 committee.

Impacts

  1. This committee continues to evaluate specialized soil amendments and products, growth stimulants and soil fertility management programs and non-traditional products prevalent in the agricultural community. The huge influx of these products can simply overwhelm a research program trying to keep up with effectiveness and value of such products. A strong and active group of researchers allows the entire region to benefit and share from the knowledge of one state with another. The website has been updated. It is actively used and referenced, and this will continue in the future. The shared file of university projects should improve future collaborative efforts. The annual meeting is a convenient way to keep all involved and share information as it becomes available. This meeting agrees well with the collaborative nature of extension and meeting grower/producer demands.

Grants, Contracts & Other Resources Obtained

Publications

Examples of Selected Publications:

  • Bearss, M.K.L.S., Z. Hayden, M. Chilvers, and K. Steinke. 2026. Integrating autumn starter fertilizer, fungicide timing, and late-season N strategies in winter wheat. Agron. J. (Accepted 12/13/2025).
  • Chilvers, Martin; Steinke, Kurt; Quinn, Dan; Telenko, Darcy; Mueller, Daren; Robertson, Alison; Smith, Damon; Wise, Kiersten. 2025. Mythbusting Tar Spot: Separating Fact from Fiction. Crop Protection Network. CPN-2024. doi.org/10.31274/cpn-20250416-0.
  • Grove, J.H. and E.L. Ritchey. 2025. Corn yield recovery with at-tasseling/early silking N applications. Kentucky Field Crops News. 1(2):8
  • Grove, J.H. and E.L. Ritchey. 2025. Corn nitrogen rate recommendations: AGR-1 updates. Kentucky Field Crops News. 1(3):35
  • Grove, J.H., C.D. Teutsch, E.L. Ritchey, B. Lee, and E.G. Beck. 2025. After a big rain: N loss, erosion, and other things. Kentucky Field Crops News. 1(4):7
  • Grove, J.H. and E.L. Ritchey. 2025. Soil fertility for fall planted winter grains and cover crops: 2025’s special considerations. Kentucky Field Crops News. 1(9):25
  • Grove, J.H. and E.L. Ritchey. 2025. Wheat pays it forward in your grain rotation. Kentucky Field Crops News. 1(10):4
  • Grove, J.H. and E.L. Ritchey. 2025. Value of biologicals, biostimulants, and soil/fertilizer nutrient enhancement products. Kentucky Field Crops News. 1(10):14
  • Grove, J.H. and E.L. Ritchey. 2025. Corn N biologicals & fertilizer additives: Worth it this year? Kentucky Field Crops News. 1(10):25
  • Kadari, P.K., G. Singh, K.A. Nelson, G. Kaur, and A. Rocha, Jr. 2025. Nitrapyrin application at different topographic positions affects corn productivity and economic returns. Agron. J. 117, e70239. doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.70239
  • Ritchey, E.L. and J.H. Grove. 2025. Too wet to soil sample but ideal to check for soil compaction. Kentucky Field Crops News. 1(2):1
  • Ritchey, E.L. and J.H. Grove. 2025. Follow the basics to maintain yields and manage costs. Kentucky Field Crops News. 1(3):30
  • Ritchey, E.L. and J.H. Grove. 2025. Determining the value of different nutrient packages. Kentucky Field Crops News. 1(10):8
  • Ritchey, E.L. and J.H. Grove. 2025. Liquid or dry fertilizer products and their placement: What matters and why. Kentucky Field Crops News. 1(10):29
  • Rosen, C., D. Ruiz-Diaz, K. Steinke, D.E. Kaiser, B. Maharjan, E. Ritchie, B. Goettl, D. Quinn, G.P. Fontes, G. Singh, J. Clark, J. Jones, K. Nelson, L. Bortolon, M. Rakkar, N. Rayne, and R. Roth. 2025. Effectiveness of Using Low Rates of Plant Nutrients. NDSU Extension. SF1978. pp. 6.
  • Rutan, J., and K. Steinke. 2026. Potato growth, yield, and quality in response to phosphorus application rates across a range of soil test P concentrations. Eur. J. of Agronomy. 173: 13pp. (Accepted 11/6/2025). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eja.2025.127917
  • Steinkamp, D., K.A. Nelson, G. Singh, M. Davis, G. Kaur, & N. Miller. 2025. Dicyandiamide (DCD) Rates Influence Urea Management. Northern Missouri Research, Extension, and Education Center Field Day Annual Report. SR607. 4:22-29.
  • Steinkamp, D., K.A. Nelson, G. Singh, M. Davis, G. Kaur, & N. Miller. 2025 Efficacy Of Enhanced Efficiency Urea Fertilizers. Northern Missouri Research, Extension, and Education Center Field Day Annual Report. SR607. 4:30-35.
  • Steinkamp, D.J., K.A. Nelson, G. Singh, M.P. Davis, and G. Kaur. 2025.  DCD Rates Affect Corn Response and N Fate in Claypan Soils. [Abstract]. ASA, CSSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT.
  • Thomas, L., J. Willbur, and K. Steinke. 2025. Utilizing boron to improve sugarbeet yield, quality, and Cercospora leaf spot management. J. of Sugarbeet Res. 62:29-43.

DOI:10.5274/jsbr.62.1.29.

Examples-of-Selected-Publications-for-report-2025.docx
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