Winter 2009-2010

Estimates of Crop Nutrient Removal by Corn and Soybean Crops

The link below provides a table with the yields, acreages, and amounts of N, P, and K removed by corn and soybeans in 2009 from several key states and provinces of the Northeast region.

Across most of the Northeast region, corn and soybean yields in 2009 were generally high in the USA, moderate in Ontario and lower than average in Quebec. Quality of corn was a major concern in Canada, with late harvest, high grain moisture, and low test weight.

Sound management of nutrients replaces the amounts removed by crops, in order to maintain soil fertility at an optimum level. When soils are low in P and K, rates applied may need to exceed removal. When they are higher than necessary, rates applied may be less than removal.