Minnesota Corn supports research, implementation of nitrogen best management practices
Richard Syverson
President
Minnesota Corn Growers Association
In light of recent media reports that have raised questions about nitrogen practices used in farming, I wanted to take some time to clarify Minnesota Corn’s position when it comes to implementing nitrogen best management practices. Some of the criticisms cited in those recent stories are based on outdated perceptions, and others require more context to help readers understand the totality of the issue. For the record, Minnesota’s corn farmers share the goal of protecting groundwater and have invested millions of dollars in research to discover better ways to manage nitrogen and help scale the adoption of best practices.
It is important to understand three key points about nitrogen use in agriculture:
- Some application of nitrogen is essential to the production of abundant, safe, and affordable food here in the U.S. as well as other countries that depend on U.S. farmers to help feed their populations.
- Like many things we use in our lives, we become smarter about how to use various resources and products more responsibly as time goes on and we learn more. The same is true with nitrogen, and farmers have made tremendous strides in recent years in understanding how to use nitrogen more efficiently and adopt new application practices that minimize the environmental impact.
- Due to the significant cost of nitrogen, farmers are incented to use nitrogen wisely. This is why farmers are making significant investments in adopting precision agriculture and other technologies in their farming operations that help farmers grow more food with less inputs. In addition, Minnesota’s corn farmers are collectively investing millions of dollars into research to discover better answers and new practices to further improve the environmental performance of farming practices.
Our organization, Minnesota Corn, has a robust working relationship with University of Minnesota researchers, farmers, and state agencies to develop, educate, and implement best practices with the goal of protecting our water resources while meeting our food production needs. We have helped fund and implement programs to minimize nitrogen losses, maximize nitrogen use efficiency, and help farmers determine the best rate, timing, and form of nitrogen to use.
We recognize that this process is an ongoing, complex journey, and through the Minnesota corn check-off we have committed more than $14.9 million between 2008-2023 to nearly 200 research projects that evaluate factors related to nitrogen use efficiency such as rate, timing, method of application, and form of nitrogen. We also have invested in education programs through University of Minnesota Extension to ensure corn farmers have access to this research. We are committed to continuing to fund the research and assist with the implementation of best practices on-farm.
We were also active in the state’s efforts to protect groundwater related to nitrogen fertilizer management by participating in the development of the state’s Nitrogen Fertilizer Management Plan and the Groundwater Protection Rule. We support the mission of the Groundwater Protection Act to “promote implementation of best management practices to prevent or minimize the source of pollution to the extent practicable.” (MN Statute 103H.275, sub 1). As an example, the Groundwater Protection Rule restricts fall application of fertilizer and application to frozen ground in vulnerable areas (MDA).
According to a 2015 survey by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, 72% of farmer respondents statewide reported that they don’t apply fall nitrogen. That number is even higher for farmers on vulnerable sandy soils and in southeastern Minnesota (85% and 87%, respectively). The survey results show that farmers voluntarily implement best management practices, and have done so even before the rule was put into place.
Which is why it is important to focus our efforts working with local communities to address challenges related to nitrates in groundwater recognizing that there is not a “one-size-fits all” solution. Rather, mitigation efforts must be tailored to the unique combination of soils, geology, and growing conditions that exist across Minnesota’s diverse agricultural landscape to be effective.
The Minnesota Corn Growers Association and our 7,000 members share the goal of a more sustainable future for farming and access to clean drinking water for everyone. We are “walking the talk” and will continue to invest in research and work with agencies and communities alike to develop solutions to meet this goal.
