Does Farm Tile Carry Nitrates?

Ken Ferrie answers a farmer’s question about nitrogen running off in his farm tile.

In Episode 1 of “Corn College TV,” Season 2, a farmer asks Farm Journal Field Agronomist Ken Ferrie if farm tile affects the nitrate loss in soils below.

“Where water goes, nitrate goes,” Ferrie explains. “You can look at the tile line, and there will be nitrate. The more water you move out of the field, the more nitrate you move.”
Ferrie says that with proper nutrient management, you can better manage your nitrate loss. He also says tile depth and spacing are factors in nitrate loss.
Listen to his full answer in Episode 1 of “Corn College TV,” Season 2:

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