Environmentally Smart Nitrogen (ESN) is a polymer-coated urea developed to reduce N leaching and volatilization losses by improving the synchronization of N release with crop N demand. A study was conducted to determine if N release from ESN applied with the seed (≈11% seedbed utilization) to winter wheat was similar to that from conventional spring-applied dribble-banded UAN (urea and ammonium nitrate solution) or broadcast urea (both Agrotain-treated).  Plant root simulator (PRS™) probes were used to monitor N soil supply at mid-row and in-row positions at one location in 2010 and three locations in 2011.  Fertilizer treatments had similar soil N supply rates in 2010, but ESN increased spring soil NO_3­-N supply rates at both row positions in 2011.  Application of ESN with the seed did not affect crop establishment in 2010, but reduced crop establishment in 2011.  In 2010, grain yield was unaffected by fertilizer treatment, but grain protein concentration was increased by application of ESN.  Nitrogen release from ESN varied between years, influencing the establishment and productivity of winter wheat.