Fall application of nitrogen (N) has been a way-of-life for many Upper Midwest farmers for a number of years. The primary advantages of fall compared to spring application are: (1) spread out the work load for both the farmer and dealer, (2) reduce potential soil compaction by eliminating another field operation in the spring, and (3) slight price advantages for fall application. But with the eight-month period between application and the time of greatest N uptake by com, the potential loss of N from the soil system increases. These potential losses lead to poorer economic return and contamination of surface and groundwaters via leaching out of the crop rooting zone.