Simulation Models for N Decision Support.

In recent years, several tools have become available that use computer models and weather data to develop N rate recommendations for maize production.  They include Adapt-N from Cornell University, 360 Commander from Yield 360, Dupont’s Encirca Nitrogen Tool, and Monsanto-Climate Corp’s Climate Pro Nitrogen Tool.  They are mostly based on research that demonstrated that early season weather, soil properties, and crop management are the most determining factors for optimizing N rates, and that adaptive in-season management can therefore be used to fine-tune N applications.  The models may include deterministic or stochastic approaches, or both, to generate a rate recommendation.  In this presentation, we will discuss the chararcteristics of each tool and, if available, results on their performance in field environments.