Eighteen projects are getting grants for the 2024 Commercial Nitrogen Optimization Pilot Program. The money aims to enhance the understanding of new methods that optimize commercial nitrogen on agricultural fields. The goal is to protect soil and water resources.
The NOPP was designed to encourage producers to develop innovative approaches to optimize the application of commercial nitrogen for at least two growing seasons. The selected producers must collaborate with a UW System institution, which will monitor the grant project on-site and conduct commercial nitrogen optimization field studies.
“Our land and water resources are the foundation of Wisconsin’s $104.8 billion agriculture industry, and this program provides farmers with additional tools to further protect and maintain those resources,” says Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Secretary Randy Romanski. “Researching and pioneering new approaches to applying commercial nitrogen can help benefit our state’s farms and natural resources.”
DATCP received 21 funding applications totaling more than $1.09 million in requests. Eighteen recipients received more than $800,000.
Albright Brothers | $39,798
Test nitrogen rates with solid manure.
Number of producers on project: 1
Paul Bibby | $12,956
Determine the effect of nitrogen on sunflower yield, profit, and agronomic traits.
Number of producers on project: 1
Peter Bonin | $24,378
Study nitrogen use per bushel of corn, with nitrogen-fixing bacteria applied at planting in furrow.
Number of producers on project: 1
Chippewa Valley Forage Council | $195,560
Evaluate maximum return to nitrogen rates for corn grain after manure application.
Number of producers on project: 6
Coloma Farms | $39,768
Test glycerol rates to decrease nitrogen leaching in potatoes during the growing season.
Number of producers on project: 1
Diversified Seed Producers | $40,000
Increase nitrogen optimization in organic production of corn with interseeded clover.
Number of producers on project: 1
InDepth Agronomy/Golden E Dairy | $39,996
Validate corn nitrogen rates in Southeastern Wisconsin.
Number of producers on project: 1
Insight FS | $37,403
Evaluate variable nitrogen rate as a means of reducing commercial nitrogen rates.
Number of producers on project: 1
Isaac Isherwood | $32,877
Optimize nitrogen in potatoes to reduce nitrogen leaching on sandy soil.
Number of producers on project: 1
Nick Kleiber | $21,800
Determine economical nitrogen rates on no-till corn in Sheboygan County.
Number of producers on project: 1
Kris Lien | $6,727
Identify optimum nitrogen rate following hog wean to finish manure.
Number of producers on project: 1
McCain Foods | $80,000
Optimize nitrogen use for potatoes in Central Wisconsin.
Number of producers on project: 2
Muddy Bottom Farmers | $68,359
Determine the economic rate of nitrogen and the impact of cover crops.
Number of producers on project: 3
Prairie Vista Cranberries | $20,744
Evaluate nitrogen application timing variations at Prairie Vista Cranberries.
Number of producers on project: 1
Salzwedel Cranberry Marsh | $37,652
Test frequency of spoon-fed fertilizer application in cranberry production.
Number of producers on project: 1
James Stute | $39,819
Determine if a cereal rye cover crop changes the optimum nitrogen rate in corn.
Number of producers on project: 1
Vilas Cranberries | $30,237
Assess nitrogen reduction and application timing for root development.
Number of producers on project: 1
Dean Weichmann | $31,956
Conduct nitrogen crediting from timed termination of alfalfa cover crop.
Number of producers on project: 1
