Variable Rate Nitrogen Application: Eric Odberg

This Pacific Northwest Extension publication profiles Eric Odberg, a fourth-generation farmer near Genesee, Idaho, who uses direct seeding and variable rate nitrogen application in a dryland rotation of winter wheat, spring grain, and pulses. The case study explains how Odberg adopted variable rate nitrogen after seeing large yield differences across his rolling Palouse fields, then used yield maps, prescription zones, auto-steer, direct-seed equipment, and precision fertilizer technology to apply nitrogen more closely to crop potential. The publication describes his precision agriculture system, equipment, nitrogen zones and rates, experiments with variable rate lime, phosphorus, potassium, and seeding, and his participation in research on site-specific climate-friendly farming. It reports that Odberg reduced overall nitrogen use by about 15% while maintaining equivalent yields, with benefits including lower fertilizer costs, reduced overlap, less lodging, improved stewardship, and reduced risk from input price changes.