The Commercial Nitrogen Optimization Pilot Program (NOPP) is a grant program funded by the State of Wisconsin, administered by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), and supported by the University of Wisconsin–Madison Department of Soil Science and Division of Extension. These grants aim to refine and enhance the understanding of methods that optimize commercial nitrogen applied to agricultural fields, helping to protect vital soil and water resources. Read below to hear what Wisconsin farmers are investigating with their NOPP funding!
Dodge County Healthy Soils Healthy Waters
14 farmers in Dodge and Jefferson counties, led by Bill Stangel and Tony Peirick, are 2023 Nitrogen Optimization Pilot Program (NOPP) grant recipients! With a trial on each participating farm, the group is investigating nitrogen use efficiency in corn in the Rock River Basin.
The risk of groundwater contamination in an area dominated by dolomitic bedrock is a major concern and a main driver for producers in the Upper Rock River Basin to conduct nitrogen-related on-farm trials. The group has known that field-scale data can help to identify strategies that reduce losses of nitrogen to the environment while balancing profitability for farmers. This is why they began conducting Nitrogen Use Efficiency trials in 2022, but the group was grateful for a funding source in NOPP to continue the work for several more years!
When asked why they agreed to participate in the Dodge County Farmers for Healthy Soil & Healthy Water’s NOPP project, one producer responded that his “agronomist of 30 years talked him into it,” while another replied, “because it’s fun!” It’s clear that this group of producers and collaborators are wholly invested in protecting their environment, community, and farms.
Albright Brothers
The Albright Brothers LLC, in collaboration with Winnebago County LWCD’s Sheila Smith & Emily Dufeck and Extension’s Kevin Jarek, is a 2024 Nitrogen Optimization Pilot Program (NOPP) grant recipient! The team is investigating nitrogen rates with solid manure. Read on to see how the idea transpired!
A long-time family “discussion” brought the Albright Brothers to the Nitrogen Optimization Pilot Program. “How much nitrogen do we need to use with different rates of manure?” They started using different conservative rates of nitrogen with mixed results. Then came the next wrench in the question. A 32% applicator was used which was accidentally set at a much higher rate than usual, and there was a very noticeable yield increase. But what about the rate of return? Jamie Albright hopes the Nitrogen Optimization Pilot Program will answer the family “discussion” and assist other farmers with the same question.
Powell-Smith
Bill Powel-Smith is a 2023 Nitrogen Optimization Pilot Program (NOPP) grant recipient! Miltrim Farms of Marathon County and Woldt Farms of Manitowoc County are hosting on-farm trials designed to investigate commercial fertilizer supplementation for prime grass-legume crop with dairy manure.
Forage crops are a unique beast to manage and become even more complicated when you plant a grass-legume blend and add manure to the mix. As a dairy specialist, Bill Powel-Smith understands the challenges farmers face in making management decisions related to forage crops. This project is designed to investigate the optimal nitrogen rates in addition to manure applications that achieve the sweet spot of optimal yield and forage quality. Miltrim Farms and Woldt Farms are both located in watershed-sensitive areas with ongoing collaboration with watershed groups. Limiting water runoff and groundwater contamination is a central goal of the participating farms and the work done within their respective watersheds.
