Research from 2011 to 2013 has resulted in a data base that supports the use of active-optical sensors to direct side-dress N rate in corn. Previously, rates were determined using a grower's best guess.

All of NDSU soil fertility recommendations now have no yield-based formulas. The soybean fertility recommendations were modified to be in line with these new guidelines.

The yield-based N rate formula has been terminated. These recommendations have been updated to reflect that yield and N rate are not related between environments. Also, N recommendations for western ND have been modified to incorporate the special requirements for achieving malting grade in that environment.