Navigating Cold Weather Nitrogen Applications: Can You Apply N on Snow?

Fall nitrogen application offers several advantages. Post-harvest soil conditions typically favor equipment use and fertilizer application, streamlining operations and easing the workload during the busy spring season.

By applying nitrogen in the fall, growers can improve nutrient availability for spring growth, encouraging stronger crop establishment and boosting yield potential. This strategy improves nutrient management, reduces logistical challenges and increases farm productivity.

“While the soil cools and microbial activity slows, there is an urgency to get nitrogen applied before the hard winter sets in,” said Bryce Geisel, senior agronomist as an agent of Koch Agronomic Services. “But with the right nutrient management strategy, application timing and stabilizer product, you can protect nitrogen from loss and increase operational efficiency.” 

Protecting Nitrogen from Loss 

Nitrogen is vital for crop production, but keeping it in the root zone is a constant challenge. Losses through hydrolysis, volatilization, denitrification and leaching can cut fertilizer effectiveness and damage return on investment.

• Volatilization: Even in cooler conditions, nitrogen loss can occur. When urea is left unincorporated into the soil, it undergoes hydrolysis, where the urease enzyme breaks down urea into ammonia gas, making nitrogen susceptible to volatilization. This process is accelerated by factors such as warm temperatures and high soil moisture, allowing ammonia gas to escape into the air.
• Denitrification: This happens when soils become saturated. Under these conditions, microbes convert nitrate into nitrogen gases, such as nitrous oxide, which are lost to the atmosphere. This is especially common in waterlogged fields or areas with heavy snowfall or excessive rainfall, where prolonged saturation creates an environment conducive to nitrogen loss.

“As winter approaches, protecting nitrogen investments is critical for maximizing crop potential. Fall application windows may be short, but it's not impossible to optimize,” said Geisel. “With the right products and careful planning, growers can stabilize nitrogen in the soil and set the stage for a successful spring.”

Nitrogen on Snow? A Cold Weather Option

In Western Canada, snowfall can sometimes arrive sooner than expected, and that might leave growers questioning whether to continue with fall nitrogen applications.

“Ideally, urea would be applied directly to cooling but not yet frozen soils to minimize off-field loss,” said Geisel. “When snow arrives earlier than planned, your application window narrows. However, applying nitrogen on snow can still be a viable practice if you follow proper guidelines to reduce the risk of loss.”

Here are key considerations to ensure a successful post-snow nitrogen application:

• Snow depth: Avoid applying nitrogen on deep or crusted snow that prevents nitrogen from reaching the soil efficiently. Light snow, no more than a few inches, is optimal. 
• Soil temperature: Confirm the soil beneath the snow is not frozen. Applying nitrogen when the soil is cooling but not frozen allows for better integration into the soil. Once the ground freezes solid, it's best to wait until spring.
• Future forecast: Consider the weather forecast. If temperatures are expected to stay consistently cold without a significant warm-up, the risk of nitrogen loss is minimized. But if a sudden thaw is likely, you run a higher risk of nitrogen loss due to runoff. 

“We know Mother Nature can be unpredictable, and managing nitrogen in these conditions is challenging,” said Geisel. “That’s where using a nitrogen stabilizer becomes beneficial. They help keep nitrogen in the soil, making sure it’s available for spring uptake, even in less-than-ideal weather conditions.”

How Can a Stabilizer Help Protect Nitrogen Investments? 

To protect nitrogen investments, choose a stabilizer tailored to your operation’s specific loss risks. Whether it's a urease inhibitor for volatilization or a dual inhibitor for broader protection, the right product enhances nitrogen management, reduces overapplication and keeps nitrogen in the soil where crops need it.

Stabilizers offer cost efficiency and environmental stewardship, mitigating risks and ensuring you’re managing nitrogen effectively.

Ready to Elevate Your Nitrogen Management?

Explore Koch Agronomic Services nitrogen stabilizers, including SUPERU™, ANVOL™ and AGROTAIN™.