Nitrogen Smart to hold virtual events in February, March
University of Minnesota Extension’s Nitrogen Smart program has put in-person programming on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and will instead be holding a series of live, free-to-attend virtual events for farmers interested in the latest in nitrogen management. Over the last five years, 94 percent of farmer attendees stated they would recommend Nitrogen Smart to their peers.
Supported through farmers’ investment in the Minnesota Corn check-off, Nitrogen Smart focuses on how nitrogen behaves in the environment with an emphasis on helping farmers determine the best practices for nitrogen fertilizer application on their own farm, based on their own field and environmental conditions. Farmers who implemented a key learning from the seminar on their farm in 2020 reported a 22.5 pound/acre reduction in nitrogen use and a $2,300 per farm savings as a result. Farmers who followed guidance to move nitrogen application from the fall to spring had an average positive impact of $13,408 in 2019 based on published yield improvements.
In 2021, Nitrogen Smart’s fundamental course will be broken down into two live sessions (Registration is required at z.umn.edu/NitrogenSmart):
- Fundamentals I: Monday, February 22 from 1:30-3pm
- Fundamentals II: Tuesday, February 23 from 10-11:30am
The Fundamentals session covers sources of nitrogen (N) for crops, how N is lost from soil and how you can reduce losses, how to manage N in drainage systems, and more. We recommend taking the Fundamentals course before taking Advanced Nitrogen Smart.
For farmers who have attended the fundamental course, Nitrogen Smart will hold an advanced course this year diving into the “4Rs” of nutrient management—right source, right rate, right time, and right place. The course will be taken into three parts, and will be duplicated in case you can’t attend the first date for each section (Register by clicking here):
- Part One: Monday, March 1, 1:30 – 2:30pm OR Tuesday, March 2, 10 – 11am
- Part Two: Monday, March 8, 1:30 – 2:30pm OR Tuesday, March 9, 10 – 11 am
- Part Three: Monday, March 15, 1:30 – 2:30pm OR Tuesday, March 16, 10 – 11 am
In addition to the live virtual Nitrogen Smart courses, farmers can also take Nitrogen Smart at their convenience. Available at z.umn.edu/NitrogenSmart, the online Nitrogen Smart focuses on the same topics offered in the fundamental course. Participants who complete the online course receive the same certification as farmers who attend an in-person seminar.
