Use of starter fertilizer is a well-established and often profitable practice in corn production. Trends toward higher soil fertility levels and more extensive use of no-till or reduced tillage have caused growers to question whether use of starters is becoming more or less important. Corn response to fertilizer placement depends on the existing soil fertility (soil test) status (Randall and Hoeft, 1988), and response to starter can also be influenced by other factors including, soil compaction, date of planting, and tillage system. Where soil test levels are in the responsive range, starter fertilizers usually increase yields because plants respond to the nutrients in the starter. This response is likely regardless of other management practices such as tillage system or date of planting. At high soil fertility levels, the response to starter, when it occurs, is probably due to a placement effect that enhances early season plant growth or helps overcome limitations to nutrient uptake imposed by the management system.