ST. PAUL,
Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) invites Minnesota farmers
and crop advisers to participate in a unique on-farm nutrient management
program that can help water quality while managing production
costs. Participants in the Nutrient Management Initiative (NMI) evaluate
different nitrogen management practices on their own farms through the use of
replicated side-by-side field trials. The results of these trials can help
farmers fine-tune their nutrient management practices to increase efficiency and
profitability. In addition, the results of advanced trials will help the
University of Minnesota refine and update their current nitrogen fertilizer
recommendations.
The MDA is encouraging farmers and crop advisers in
northwest and west-central Minnesota to participate. This is an area of the
state where participation has been lower in the past and the MDA would like to
increase the number of nitrogen trials.
Participating farmers work with a crop adviser to set up
trials on their own fields. Participating farmers receive a total of $800,
while crop advisers receive $400 per site enrolled. Participant identification
is kept confidential; overall program results are used for outreach and shared
with other participants to compare various practices within the same region.
The NMI offers field trials for the following practices:
nitrogen rate, stabilizer products, and timing evaluations. When utilized
effectively, these trials can help to increase nitrogen management efficiency,
profitability, as well as demonstrate practices that help reduce
nitrate-nitrogen losses to surface and groundwater sources.
In 2015 and 2016, 269 on-farm field trial sites were
established statewide. The majority of these sites were located in southeast
and south-central Minnesota. As a result of this work, many co-ops and crop
advisers utilized the NMI to promote management strategies and equipment to
improve fertilizer efficiency and yields for their customers. Some crop
advisers also held winter meetings to discuss field trial results with all of
their participants. Starting in 2016, the MDA partnered with the University of
Minnesota to offer Advanced Nitrogen Rate Evaluations. These sites include
additional replications and data is used to help guide the University’s current
nitrogen rate recommendations.
The program is funded through the Clean Water Land and
Legacy Amendment. The MDA assists with this program through promotion,
outreach, and payment for participation. More on-farm trials are available in
northwest and west-central Minnesota. For more information or to enroll in the
2017 NMI, visit www.mda.state.mn.us/nmi or contact Ryan Lemickson
at 612-209-9181 or ryan.lemickson@state.mn.us.
