Agreement Number
NR20-13G014
Awardee Name
University of Nebraska
Grant Type
On-Farm Trials
Project Title
Promoting Precision Agricultural Nitrogen Management
Awardee State/Territory
Nebraska
Involved States/territories
Nebraska
Award Year
2019
Start Date
End Date
Award Amount
$1,267,747.00
Production/Use
Farmland Agricultural
Resource Concern (Broad)
Soil
Water
Resource Concern (Specific)
nitrogen or phosphorus issues
Nutrients
Soil Health
Water Quality
Conservation Practice(s)
Nutrient Management
Project Background
Within Nebraska, soil texture, topography, rainfall patterns, irrigation, and cultural practices used
in corn and wheat production vary greatly; therefore, there is no “one-size-fits-all” technology to
address N management concerns. Additionally, individual farmers may be at various stages of
technology adoption in their own operations, therefore the techniques and technologies presented
to corn and wheat producers need to be customized to meet their needs. There are numerous
precision agriculture technologies and strategies that can help improve N management by increasing efficiency and reducing N loss to the environment while also maintaining or increasing yields and profitability. We have identified several in-season and variable rate technologies with research verified potential to increase N efficiency on Nebraska farmer’s fields, yet are largely under-adopted by farmers:
1) Crop canopy sensors to direct in-season N applications for corn and wheat production
2) Imagery (satellite, aerial, or drone) to direct in-season N applications for corn and wheat
production
3) Crop nitrogen models to direct pre-plant and/or in-season N applications for corn and
wheat production
4) Inhibitors and stabilizers to protect N fertilizer from loss for corn and wheat production
in corn and wheat production vary greatly; therefore, there is no “one-size-fits-all” technology to
address N management concerns. Additionally, individual farmers may be at various stages of
technology adoption in their own operations, therefore the techniques and technologies presented
to corn and wheat producers need to be customized to meet their needs. There are numerous
precision agriculture technologies and strategies that can help improve N management by increasing efficiency and reducing N loss to the environment while also maintaining or increasing yields and profitability. We have identified several in-season and variable rate technologies with research verified potential to increase N efficiency on Nebraska farmer’s fields, yet are largely under-adopted by farmers:
1) Crop canopy sensors to direct in-season N applications for corn and wheat production
2) Imagery (satellite, aerial, or drone) to direct in-season N applications for corn and wheat
production
3) Crop nitrogen models to direct pre-plant and/or in-season N applications for corn and
wheat production
4) Inhibitors and stabilizers to protect N fertilizer from loss for corn and wheat production
Project Scale
Multi-farm
Project targeted to Historically Underserved producers?
No