Become the next Innovation Grant recipient
Have an idea that could increase the sustainability or profitability of your operation? The Minnesota Corn Innovation Grant Program wants to hear about it and potentially provide as much as $7,000 for you to try it out. Entering its sixth year, the Innovation Grant Program has invested over $700,000 in 37 original projects identifying practical innovations that can be replicated by Minnesota farmers.
This year, the Innovation Grant Program is looking to fund farmer-led research improving nutrient use efficiency, comparing tillage innovation, producing economic or management innovation or enhancing water quality. Learn more about the 2021 RFP here, and apply before Jan. 15.
A few past participants include:
Impact of wide row crops on cover crops: Fulda farmer Mark Enninga is testing the use of a wide-row system (44 inch), while keeping seeds planted closer together to keep the plant population the same at 35,000 seeds per-acre. With a wider row, he hopes his cover crops mix will develop a healthy biomass that will help on fields that are often drowned out.
No-till and cover crops to reduce soil loss: Goodhue County farmer Brock Olson is testing a three-crop rotation, reduced tillage, and cover crops to see what combination will create the greatest benefit in reduced erosion, and retention of nutrients. His three-year study tests a combination of the practices, while monitoring water infiltration, organic matter and soil nitrogen levels.
Real-time liquid manure testing: Trimont farmer A.J. Krusemark aimed to get a handle on the crop nutrition provided through injecting swine manure. His goal was to implement a rapid testing strategy when applying manure, allowing him to consistently hit a specific phosphorous rate. By hitting that rate and pairing it with a minimal nitrogen side dress, he was able to maintain his yields while reducing his application rate.
