10/22/2026
Late Season Stalk Nitrate Tests are taken in early fall around silage harvest, when corn is between the ¼ milk line and 3 weeks after the black layer has formed. The test analysis helps indicate if the crop had the right amount of nitrogen, too much nitrogen, or was nitrogen limited. This information, combined with records of nitrogen management, can be very useful with helping producers making future management decisions next year. 10 - 8 inch stock samples are taken from a representative field and sent to the Penn State Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory. Each test is $15.00 and can be submitted by check with sample. For more information, please visit https://extension.psu.edu/late-season-cornstalk-nitrate-test
