IFCA's Keep it 4R Crop Program works closely with NREC and with the University of Illinois to continue to promote 4R practices and evaluate how they infuence nutrient utilization and protect water quality.  This  year, central Illinois water supplies saw high N levels in the lakes due to heavy winter rainfall events and warm soils.  However, by mid May the N levels dropped significantly in the lakes and today, no central Illinois water supplies are treating to remove excess nitrates which is great news.  Ag retailers did a great job managing nitrogen in the early spring to mitigate any further losses and protect our vulnerable water supplies--way to go everyone!  IFCA's use of the N-WATCH program is producing some very interesting data that shows that soil N levels are extremely adequate both from applied nitrogen as well as from mineralized nitrogen.  

 

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