Estimates of Nutrient Removal in Illinois Grain Systems.

Sustainable agricultural systems make use of nutrient management plans that ensure optimal crop production and minimize negative environmental outcomes. Key components of nutrient management plans are estimates of nutrient removal in harvested crops and estimates of soil nutrient reserves. This work presents data collected from corn and soybean producers and performance trials in Illinois and summarizes yield and grain mineral composition that will ultimately contribute to adjust estimates of nutrient removal from modern cropping systems. Discussion will focus on results generated during the first year of this three-year project.