(The Center Square) – Wisconsin awarded more than $800,000 in 18 projects to refine and enhance new methods to use commercial nitrogen applied to farm fields.
The Commercial Nitrogen Optimization Pilot Program aims at protecting soil and water resources through the development of new approaches to nitrogen use.
Each individual producer was eligible for $40,000 in grants with $200,000 going to the University of Wisconsin system for monitoring and research assistance.
The largest combined grant was nearly $200,000 for the Chippewa Valley Forage Council for six producers to evaluate the maximum return to nitrogen rates for corn grain after manure application.
“Improving water quality is as much of an environmental and conservation issue as it is a public health and economic issue for our state,” said Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers.
The funding was part of $1.6 million for the nitrogen program announced in August 2022.
McCain Foods received an $80,000 grant for two producers looking at nitrogen optimization for potatoes in Central Wisconsin while nearly $70,000 went to three producers to determine the economic rate of nitrogen and impact of cover crops.
“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,” said Wisconsin 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.”
