Nutrient Management Initiative (NMI)
M.L. 2019: (d) $1,500,000 the first year and $1,500,000 the second year are for technical assistance, research, and demonstration projects on proper implementation of best management practices and more-precise information on nonpoint contributions to impaired waters and for grants to support on-farm demonstration of agricultural practices. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2024.
M.L. 2017: (d) $1,125,000 the first year and $1,125,000 the second year are for technical assistance, research, and demonstration projects on proper implementation of best management practices and more precise information on nonpoint contributions to impaired waters and for grants to support on-farm demonstration of agricultural practices. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2022.
A total of 86 field trials were conducted in 2018 in collaboration with 86 farmers and 30 crop advisers.
A total of 120 field trials were conducted in 2017 in collaboration with 115 farmers and 33 crop advisers.
(d) $1,125,000 the first year and $1,125,000 the second year are for technical assistance, research, and demonstration projects on proper implementation of best management practices and more precise information on nonpoint contributions to impaired waters. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2020.
A total of 103 field trials were conducted in 2016. This included nitrogen rate (42), nitrogen stabilizer product (8), nitrogen timing (36) and nitrogen rate after manure (9) trials. One field trial evaluated nitrogen source, two evaluated nitrogen rate after alfalfa, and one evaluated the use of cover crops. Four farmers worked on advanced N rate trials in partnership with the MDA and the University of Minnesota. A total of 100 farmers and 29 crop advisers participated.
M.L. 2013: (d) $1,500,000 the first year and $1,500,000 the second year are for research, pilot projects, and technical assistance on proper implementation of best management practices and more precise information on nonpoint contributions to impaired waters. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2018.
A total of 166 field trials were conducted in 2015. This included nitrogen rate (101), nitrogen stabilizer product (17), nitrogen timing (34) and nitrogen rate after manure (10) trials. One field trial evaluated nitrogen source, two evaluated nitrogen rate after alfalfa, and one evaluated the use of cover crops. A total of 89 farmers and 39 crop advisers participated.
The Minnesota Nutrient Management Initiative (NMI) assists farmers and crop advisers in evaluating nutrient management practices on their own fields. Each participating farmer works with a crop adviser to set up field trials on their farm. This includes comparisons of nitrogen rate, nitrogen application timing, and other practices that may help reduce nitrate-nitrogen losses.
Working with Minnesota farmers, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has supported more than 465 on-farm field trials in 2015-2018. The MDA works with an average of 100 farmers and 30 crop advisers each year. In the past five years, over 32,000 field acres were enrolled in the program.
For more information, please visit the Minnesota Department of Agriculture's Clean Water Fund web page.
Results and information from these field trials will:
- Assist farmers and crop advisers in evaluating current nutrient management practices versus other practices they would like to try on their farm
- Provide an opportunity to compare different nutrient management practices and evaluate outcomes
- Assist participants in evaluating practices which may help reduce nitrate-nitrogen losses from their fields