Doing more with less is a philosophy that resonates with most Nebraska farmers, however, does that motto hold true when it comes to nitrogen fertilizer? An analysis of nitrogen use efficiency from researchers at the University of Nebraska Lincoln in 2020 revealed that many producers in the Upper Big Blue NRD could reduce their use of nitrogen without a significant impact on yield. Now there is a program that will pay them to test the concept.

In spring 2024, the Nebraska Legislature passed LB1368, which provides more than $1 million to Nebraska farmers will reduce their commercial nitrogen application by 40 lbs or 15 percent. While the details of this program are still being hammered out, producers who are interested in being considered for these funds can complete an interest form on the NRD website or reach out to Jerod Fling at jfling@upperbigblue.org/(402)366-5272.

Of the $1 million available in the state, the Upper Big Blue NRD area will receive more than $95,000 for producers, to be spent over the next five years. Producers are eligible to stack incentive payments through this program with other programs, including those from the NRD and NRCS. The program will be offered to corn, sugar beet, and potato producers across the state. There will be three priority categories that will determine the amount of funding provided for a single tract of land (between $10 and $15 per acre). Payments will be made to cooperating producers, not landowners.

Producers who wish to participate in this incentive program must have completed the application process by January 15 and have been approved for program participation by their local NRD to be eligible for reimbursement. 

Producers will be notified if they have been approved for the program by March 15. Applications will be ranked, and a higher ranking will be given to producers who incorporate innovative technology into their reduction practices, including biologicals and chemigation scheduling. By the following January, producers will submit the necessary documentation to the NRD to show the reduced amount of nitrogen application to claim their payment if they have met the goal of a reduction of 40 lbs or 15 percent per acre. The program was established to protect groundwater from additional contamination from nitrogen, and to protect the many Nebraskans whose drinking water comes from groundwater sources from the health impacts of increased nitrogen consumption.