No, Meltdown will speed the degradation process and return the tied-up investment (nutrients) to your soil. As it does this it will weaken the fodder making it more brittle but will not totally `eliminate it.

Only a small percentage on the surface of the soil but not enough that you need to compensate, and that
Nitrogen is only tied up for 7-10 days. The microorganisms will actually make more Nitrogen available than
there was prior to applying the Meltdown.

An 18:1 (Carbon to Nitrogen) ratio is neutral. Anything above that level will tie up nitrogen, anything below will release nitrogen. As Meltdown works, it will increase the carbon level in the top 0 – 1 inch of your soil but it will also begin to release nitrogen within 7 – 10 days as it breaks down the stover/residue. If you are concerned about the carbon level being slightly higher in the top inch of soil you can add a gallon or two of nitrogen in along with Meltdown. This will keep your C:N ratio neutral and will enhance the effectiveness of Meltdown.

The microorganisms in Meltdown will break down the residue from previous crops/cover crops into finer particles of organic compounds. Meltdown contains microorganisms that will remove the waxy surface from dead plants, allowing its other organisms that will break down cellulose & lignin (the basic building blocks of all
matter), to penetrate the stalks of the plants. This will not only build organic matter but will also return tied up nutrients to the soil.

It all depends on what you are currently doing. We can safely say you can reduce your inputs by the cost of the product, so your input costs don’t increase. The nutrients released by the microbes breaking down the residue will more than make up for the difference. University studies have shown there is between $100 - $200 worth of nutrient investment tied up in corn stover.