Does every part of the field need the same amount of nitrogen?
The Red Cedar Conservation Farmers are 2025 Nitrogen Optimization Pilot Program (NOPP) grant recipients, and their project explores how landscape position within a field may influence the optimum nitrogen rate.
Tryston Beyrer, a Red Cedar Conservation Farmer and agronomist, is leading the project in collaboration with Tina Barone, Conservation Planner for the Dunn County Land and Water Conservation Division. Tina says, “From my perspective as a conservationist, nitrogen management is something I want to talk to farms about, and NOPP provides a great opening.”
Lower landscapes and poor areas of the field are typically avoided by researchers. However, these areas are critical to study, considering all farmers deal with “tough spots” which may be the most prone to nitrogen losses, making them important targets for improving nitrogen management and efficiency.
Through NOPP, farmers can answer questions that are unique to their operations and may not be addressed through traditional research. On-farm research often sparks new questions, leads farmers to think more intentionally about their management, and builds confidence to try new practices over time. As Tryston says, “If you are interested in making better decisions on your farm, then do on-farm research!”