Multi-state Outcomes Based Nitrogen Efficiency Project for Corn

The Iowa Soybean Association will expand enhanced nutrient management that involving farmer self evaluation of nitrogen (N) fertilizer needs with incentives to increase efficiency. To date, several hundred Iowa producers have used remote sensing with replicated strip trials and/or guided stalk nitrate sampling to evaluate their N needs and new N management approaches, and the majority has found they can maximize profit and reduce N losses to the environment by applying far less fertilizer and/or by adopting different application strategies. This grant would facilitate adoption of these EQIP options to at least: 80 of Iowas 99 counties; 100 producers in Lancaster County, PA and additional counties in PA; 80 producers in Delaware; and 20 producers in Maryland. The grant also will enhance learning opportunities for producers and TSPs by developing and testing a standardized data pooling system that will overcome barriers to broader implementation of these new N management approaches.