I am pleased with the GreenSeeker. What I saw on winter wheat in 2008 convinces me that it is an excellent tool.

In the past, our winter wheat protein was most often low, a symptom of nitrogen deficiency. Sometimes it was 10.5%; often it was in the 11% range. In the past, I would most often get more yield than I projected, with resulting low protein. I’d done some experiments that told me certain situations could take considerably more N with resulting yield and protein increases. We’d all like 90 bushel per acre, 13% protein winter wheat more often. In our dryland cropping system, we know these yields aren’t realistic every year.

In 2008, the variable rate N application with the GreenSeeker gave us 11.75% to 12.3% winter wheat protein levels across the farm. Elevator protein discounts this year were high. Compared to 11% protein winter wheat at these discounts, I gained an additional $50 to $60 per acre using the GreenSeeker to help me match the proper rate of nitrogen to the winter wheat yield potential. My payback on the additional applied N was about 3.5 to 1 compared to the same yield with 11% protein.

What appeals to me about the GreenSeeker is applying N into a growing crop, measuring what each area of the field actually needs. It’s a more realistic and accurate way to apply your N. When you put N on blind, at best, you’re fertilizing for a guess at what you believe the field average will be that year. The GreenSeeker system seems to be a better way. At today’s N prices, it’s wise not to guess.