Quad County Crops Newsletter

November 2026

Greetings,

Hopefully everyone is having a happy and safe harvest season. Despite a relatively dry July and August followed by a rainy September and October, it sounds like most farms have had acceptable corn and soybean yields. Prices seem to be better than my worst fears, too. I’m always here to listen if you feel differently.

With harvest wrapping up, many farms will be starting to soil test, maybe apply P & K or manure, and possibly do some fall tillage. Remember that your local Extension office has soil test bags and submission forms available for free if you use the University of Minnesota Soil Testing Laboratory. If it’s been a while since you’ve tested your soils, it might be good to see where they’re at. It’s not uncommon for farms in this region to have sufficient levels of phosphorus and potassium and require no additional fertilizer for the time-being.

Happy growing,

Jackie Estrem

Cropping Systems Educator

Stearns, Benton, Morrison, and Sherburne Counties

estre060@umn.edu | 763-515-1023

Crops Spotlight

Mind the Manure

While some may turn up their nose to the smell of manure, I’ve heard others say, “Smells like money." While manure itself isn’t exactly money, it is valuable to farmers for the organic matter and nutrients it provides for crops. This time of year, open fields, a need for space in the manure storage, and dropping temperatures make for a convenient time to apply manure. When soils stay at or below 50°F, microbial activity and nitrogen cycling slow greatly, allowing us to minimize nutrient loss over a presumably cold winter.

To get the most out of manure and check how much N, P, K, and other nutrients have been applied, it’s best to collect manure samples during spreading and send them to a lab for nutrient testing. Nutrient concentrations can vary year-to-year and by species. To get an idea of what’s in different types of manure, check out the ManureDB. This dashboard illustrates typical nutrient concentrations in manure from different species and regions across the United States. Nutrients applied by manure count towards the annual amount needed for crops, and manure credits can carryover for multiple years. Including these credits in your nutrient management plan can help reduce your fertilizer cost.

The proportion of nutrients in manure are typically not the proportion that crops need. Application based on one nutrient may over- or under-apply other nutrients. Nitrogen will often be in highest demand to crops, resulting in over application of nutrients like P and K. A Phosphorus-based rate is usually lower, allowing manure application on more acres. N will be under-applied, but can be supplemented appropriately in the spring or as sidedress. Phosphorus-based rates can be informed by a soil test or replacement rate. Nitrogen-based rates have changed this year, and can be informed by historic yield. Visit the Manure Application Rates webpage to get all of the details.

Looking Ahead

Virtual Farmer Shop Talks: Crop and livestock integration

Get your crop and livestock integration questions answered and learn from other farmers through Virtual Farmer Shop Talks! Each session is focused on a different topic, pitched by a Minnesota farmer, to help farmers connect and learn from each other's successes and challenges.

Registration will give you access to all three Shop Talk sessions.

Nov. 9, 12-1 p.m. | How can you maximize your row crop ground and pasture to extend the grazing season? Pitched by Amber Britz
Nov. 12, 12-1 p.m. | How do you make annual forages work? Pitched by Kelly and Jeremy of Coon Creek Cattle Co.
Nov. 13, 12-1 p.m. | Grazing with virtual fence on others’ land - How to handle infrastructure and logistics? Pitched by Leah Matzke

Agricultural Land Rent Agreements, Friday, November 20th from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Stearns Service Center, 3301 County Road 138, Waite Park, MN 56387. RSVP at z.umn.edu/QuadRent26 or contact Jackie with questions at 763-515-1023

Last chance to pre-register! Build confidence in your rental rate choices by increasing your market awareness and business decision-making. This meeting will highlight market trends for Stearns, Benton, Morrison, and Sherburne counties; offer general guidance on land rent agreements; and help landowners and renters identify a rental rate that meets their needs. Visit z.umn.edu/LandRent26 to find a workshop near you.

Hutchinson Crop Management Input Seminar

Tuesday, December 2nd, 2026 | 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. | Crow River Winery, Hutchinson

While the 2026 growing season is nearing the end, it's already time to start planning for 2027! To help inform your management decisions, the University of Minnesota Extension and the Hutchinson Chamber of Commerce bring you a line-up of crop experts sharing their knowledge on topics ranging from agronomics to economics.

Tickets are $20 per person at the door or available through one of our event sponsors and at the McLeod County Extension Office. Participants will have opportunities for education and networking with area agricultural professionals at this year’s program. For more information go to z.umn.edu/CropSeminar2027 or contact the McLeod County Extension office at 320-484-4334.

Nitrogen College - Save the Date!

January 5th and 6th, 2027 | Stearns Service Center, Waite Park

Take your nitrogen management to a higher level! Attend one or several of the Advanced Nitrogen Smart trainings at Nitrogen College to get more from your nitrogen. Topics range from the 4R’s of nutrient management to variable rate nitrogen. Thanks to the generous support of Minnesota corn farmers and their checkoff, there is no cost to attend. More details coming soon!

Join us at the Soil Management Summit on January 27-28, 2027 in Waite Park, MN!

You’ll enjoy networking with and learning from experienced farmers, researchers, and agricultural professionals. The Soil Management Summit covers topics such as cover crops, tillage, livestock and crop integration, nutrient management, economics, and more. Whether you're a beginning or advanced soil health farmer or an agricultural advisor from industry, government, or research, there’s something for you at the Soil Management Summit. For more details and registration information, visit z.umn.edu/SMS.

Get Involved

Weed Management Technology Survey

Weed management is at a crossroads. Herbicide resistance is limiting chemical weed control options, while emerging technologies such as camera-guided “see-and-spray” sprayers, laser weeders, electric weeders, and autonomous machines, are creating new opportunities for weed control. Scientists at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln are conducting a survey to learn about your perceptions of these technologies. We invite farmers, crop consultants, and other agricultural professionals from Minnesota and beyond to complete a short, anonymous survey about your weed management practices, your views on emerging weed control technologies, and the research priorities you would like to see addressed.

Take the Weed Management Survey

News Highlights

Podcast: Managing Rye Cover Crops

On this episode of the Advancing Nitrogen Smart Podcast, Anna Cates and Brad Carlson discuss cover crop impacts on water quality, nitrate loss, and farm management. Tune in to learn why early-harvested crops help cover crops perform better and why so many growers are choosing to plant cereal rye.

Variable Rate Irrigation: What to consider before you invest

Variable rate irrigation (VRI) is an increasingly precise irrigation tool that can help improve irrigation efficiency. While this tool has helped many growers reduce their irrigation costs, it is not something every irrigated field needs. Read the full article to find out if VRI might be right for you.

Our Woods are Part of a Bigger Journey

While the loss of breeding and winter habitat is a known threat for wildlife, the loss and degradation of stopover habitat for migrating species is also a critical challenge. Tending small woodlots, shoreline, grasslands, and backyard habitats is a great way to support your favorite migratory species.