IFCA's Keep it 4R Crop Program works closely with NREC and the University of Illinois to evaluate nitrogen management practices and how it impacts nutrient utilization and nutrient levels in the soil.  We also stay in close contact with water supply officials to assess nitrate levels in water supplies so that our industry can be proactive in managing nutrients to protect water quality.  

 

This year, we were concerned in February when central Illinois drinking water supplies experienced high N levels after a warm fall and winter combined with heavy rains.  But we also were able to assess the status of fall applied N and realized that it mostly remained in the soil profile and was not the main source of the lost N in February.  Knowing that, and knowing the vulnerability of our water supplies in early spring, IFCA worked with our retail members to encourage careful spring nitrogen management to further reduce the chance of early spring N losses.  It all paid off, and by late May, the water supplies saw decreases in nitrate levels; by early June, the levels fell even further and today, no water supplies are treating for nitrate.  This truly is the essence of our 4R program:  measure, evaluate, respond, manage and communicate in a proactive manner.  

 

The University of Illinois features results of our 4R work and our N WATCH soil nitrate monitoring in their bulletins.  The latest bulletin came out last week and discusses the nitrogen situation for this year's corn crop.  Click here to view the bulletin.  It discusses results of N WATCH sites that show favorable levels of plant available nitrogen in the soil.  IFCA also features results of these N WATCH sites so that you can see for yourself how we've tracked the nitrogen including both fall, spring and fall/spring split applications.  It is interesting information so check it out!

 

Click here to be directed to our Keep it 4R Crop Tools menu on the IFCA website where you can see the N WATCH update and sites.  We will continually add to these sites as the summer progresses.  You can also view results of 2014 and 2015 N Rate Trials and response curves from our 4R work with retailers and farmers throughout the state.  Click here to see the N Rate Trials.  Please share this information with others to support the outreach component of our 4R program.  The IFCA Keep it 4R Crop Program receives funding from NREC to facilitate improvements in nitrogen management to protect water supplies.  If you have questions please call Jean Payne or Dan Schaefer at IFCA.