How Much Nitrogen Is Your Field Really Keeping? Understanding Nitrogen Loss with UAN 28% and How to Prevent It

Nitrogen is one of the most essential nutrients for crop growth—but it’s also one of the most vulnerable to loss. In Canadian farming conditions, you could be losing up to 75% of the nitrogen you apply through natural processes like volatilization, leaching, and denitrification.

If you're applying 50 gallons per acre of UAN 28%, it’s time to consider how much of that nitrogen is actually making it to your crop—and how much you're losing into the environment.

The Standard: 50 Gallons per Acre of UAN 28%

At this rate, you're applying about:

👉 50 gallons/acre × 3 lbs N/gallon = 150 lbs of nitrogen per acre

But here’s where that nitrogen can go:

Nitrogen Loss Pathways

☁️ Volatilization – Up to 30%Nitrogen is lost as ammonia gas when urea in UAN breaks down. Common in dry conditions, surface applications, or soils with high pH.

Potential loss: ~45 lbs N/acre

🌧️ Leaching – Up to 20%Nitrate leaches below the root zone due to rainfall or irrigation. More common in sandy or poorly structured soils.

Potential loss: ~30 lbs N/acre

🌫️ Denitrification – Up to 25%Soil bacteria convert nitrate to N₂ or N₂O gases in waterlogged or compacted soils.

Potential loss: ~37.5 lbs N/acre

⚠️ Total Potential Loss: Up to 75%

That means from your 150 lbs of nitrogen applied, you could lose more than 110 lbs per acre. That’s a financial loss and a yield risk—not to mention an environmental concern.

THE SOLUTION:

Active STABILIZER™ PLUS

This dual-action nitrogen stabilizer combines 12% NBPT and 2% DMPP, giving you protection on multiple fronts:

🛡️ Reduces ammonia volatilization by up to 84%.

🌧️ Reduces nitrate leaching and denitrification.

🌍 Cuts N₂O emissions by up to 23%.

💸 Improves ROI by protecting nitrogen investment.

📊 Can pay for itself by reducing nitrogen loss alone.

🌱 Boosts nitrogen availability and yield potential.

University of Manitoba studies show that when applied at 2.4L/mt on urea:

• Volatilization is reduced by 83.8% (broadcast)

• N₂O emissions drop by 23.1% (broadcast)

  
  

Formulated for flexibility:

Compatible with urea, UAN, and other urea-based fertilizers—perfect for fall or spring use. Blends easily with UAN: use 1–2 L per 1000 kg of UAN.

If you're applying 50 gallons/acre of UAN 28% without a stabilizer, you may be losing more than just nitrogen—you're risking your return on investment.

Start protecting your nitrogen. Choose Active STABILIZER™ PLUS with every UAN application.