For the 2013 crop year, time will tell what the weather will be like, but it is beneficial to think about what the 2012 weather did. The nutrients carried over from a drought year might benefit in some areas of the field; of course, this will fluctuate along with yield variation. Recently I was at a conference were Antonio Mallarino (extension fertility specialist for Iowa State University) gave a talk on what we might expect for nutrient carry over this year. Because of low yields and a persisting drought in the Midwest, nitrogen would be likely to carry over to the 2013 crop year. For corn following soybeans, expect that the effects from the 2012 drought to not influence the nitrate concentration and normal corn N should be applied.

Nutrient carryover of potassium and phosphorus depends on the removal rate of the crop yield. This can be estimated to be a lower removal rate in areas of decreased yields (If corn was cut for silage expect the removal rate to be much higher).  This nutrient carryover will be available for the 2013 crop year.

For best results, measure the soil nutrient levels by using spring nitrate, phosphorus and potassium sampling. The spring sampling will give the most accurate solution for understanding how much nutrient carryover has occurred.