Water quality short course

• Nitrogen: Obstacles, progress and BMPs (PDF)

Presentation on sensor-based nitrogen management at the USDA 2009 National Water Quality Conference

• Crop sensors to guide nitrogen fertilizer application: Reduce N loss, not Yield (PDF)

Presentation on Gulf of Mexico hypoxia

• The role of midwestern agriculture in Gulf of Mexico hypoxia (PDF)

When nitrogen rate for corn is higher than the crop needs to maximize yield, unused N accumulates in soil after harvest. This unused N may be leached to water resources during the winter or spring. Applying just as much as the crop needs will help to protect water quality. For more information, see economically optimal nitrogen rate reduces soil residual nitrate.