Optimizing nitrogen (N) management in corn silage production can help improve dairy farm profitability while reducing its environmental footprint. However, managing N remains difficult. Assessment tools and key performance indicators that show us how well N was managed during the cropping season once harvest is completed can be useful for fine-tuning N use over time. Recent work at Cornell University shows end-of-season N balance assessments could be a useful tool to improve N management over time. Comparing individual field results with feasible targets can help farmers identify opportunities to refine N management and support field experimentation through N.