Developing Wisconsin's Farmer Network for Nutrient Use Efficiency and Water Quality

Managing nitrogen (N) successfully for crop production can be a challenge. Whether N is applied as fertilizer or manure, it can quickly transform into nitrate, which can be easily leached through the soil profile. To combat this issue many farmers use a variety of N management practices intended to minimize losses and optimize uptake by the crop. These practices might include multiple split-applications, use of controlled release fertilizers, avoiding early fall applications of manure when possible, or using Cover Crops. One benchmark a farmer can use to evaluate the relative environmental and economic efficiency of their N management practices for corn production is nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). Through the development of a farmer network for nutrient use efficiency and water quality, farmers will learn which operation records and methods are necessary to complete the NUE assessment. Participants will learn how to conduct their own nitrogen use efficiency assessments, and evaluate the effectiveness of different cropping practices designed to decrease N loss through leaching or volatilization.