Developing New Nitrogen Recommendations and Understanding of Water Quality Implications under Irrigated Agriculture

Dakota County Water Resources Department- Jill V. Trescott, (952) 891-7019

Quick Facts

Recipient: 
Dakota County Water Resources Department- Jill V. Trescott, (952) 891-7019
Source: 
Clean Water Fund
Recipient Type: 
Local/Regional Government
Status: 
In Progress
Activity Type: 
Demonstration/Pilot Project, Education/Outreach/Engagement, Research
Counties Affected 
Dakota

Related Project(s)

Rosholt Farm

This project will provide a better understanding of nitrogen fertilizer management on a local level and the associated groundwater quality impacts.

Goals:

  • Assess nitrogen loss resulting from different nitrogen fertilizer application rates, application timing and application methods on sandy soils
  • Help the University of Minnesota revise nitrogen fertilizer recommendations for irrigated coarse-textured (sandy) soils
  • Establish the Dakota County Project as an educational hub for local producers, agricultural dealers and crop consultants

This project is supported through a unique partnership between Dakota County Water Resources Department, the University of Minnesota, the University of Minnesota-Extension and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. This project will provide information to area producers and dealerships about Best Management Practices (BMPs), new fertilizer recommendations and emerging fertilizer technology.

The experimental design will parallel research at the Herman Rosholt Farm in Westport, Minnesota

MDA has developed a Joint Powers Agreement with the Dakota County Water Resources Department; Dakota County is responsible for overall project coordination.

About the Issue

This site will feature twelve nitrogen fertilizer rates ranging from 0-280 lb/N/A (pounds of nitrogen per acre). Of the 12 nitrogen rates, four will involve the delayed release nitrogen products ESN and Super Urea. The plot design will be very similar to on-going research by the University of Minnesota Extension on coarse-textured soils in Westport, Minnesota. Collectively, these sites will provide significant input into the upcoming revised nitrogen fertilizer recommendations on coarse-textured soils. This experiment will focus on a corn following corn rotation. 

Project Details

Deep N-nitrate soil testing (0-48") was conducted on the plots in the fall of 2011 after corn harvest. Suction tube lysimeters were installed in eight of the twelve N rate treatments in 2012 and will collect water that escapes below the root zone. Water samples will be analyzed for nitrate-nitrogen.

A climatic weather station capable of measuring minimum and maximum daily temperatures, wind speed, relative humidity, rainfall and other measurements will be installed at the site.

The University of Minnesota  will be responsible for in-season plant monitoring and basal stalk testing throughout the growing season.  MDA has purchased chlorophyll meters which will provide real-time feedback on plant health and nitrogen requirements.

 

Status: 
In Progress
Start Date: 
October 2011
End Date: 
June 2016

Project Details by Fiscal Year

Fiscal Year(s): 
2012
Legal Citation / Subdivision: 
M.L. 2011, Chapter 6,Article 2, Sec.3
Appropriation Language 

M.L.2011: (b) $850, 000 the first year and $850,000 the second year are to increase monitoring and evaluate trends in the concentration of nitrate in groundwater in high-risk areas and regionally and to promote and evaluate regional and crop-specific nutrient best management practices. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2016.

Fiscal Year Funding Amount: 
$36,122
Number of full time equivalents funded: 
see "Statewide Groundwater and Drinking Water Protection"
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s) 
  • Number of producers that visit this demonstration site per year
  • Number of field days, presentations and other educational events per year
  • Number of different stakeholder groups engaged

Minnesota state agencies are working together to establish and report outcome-based performance measures that monitor the progress and effectiveness of Clean Water Fund activities. This inter-agency group completed a report in February 2012, Clean Water Performance Report . At the heart of the report is a suite of quantifiable performance measures.

The Dakota county Project is reporting on performance measure FM4: Total dollars awarded in grants and contracts to non-state agency partners and PLM6: Number of local government partners participating in Clean Water funded nitrate monitoring and reduction activities.

 

 

Description of Funds: 
Administration costs associated with this project are reported on the project page entitled " Statewide Groundwater and Drinking Water Protection".
Fiscal Year(s): 
2013
Legal Citation / Subdivision: 
M.L. 2011, Chapter 6,Article 2, Sec.3
Appropriation Language 

M.L.2011: (b) $850, 000 the first year and $850,000 the second year are to increase monitoring and evaluate trends in the concentration of nitrate in groundwater in high-risk areas and regionally and to promote and evaluate regional and crop-specific nutrient best management practices. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2016.

Fiscal Year Funding Amount: 
$35,572
Number of full time equivalents funded: 
see "Statewide Groundwater and Drinking Water Protection"
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s) 

Same as FY12

Description of Funds: 
Administration costs associated with this project are reported on the project page entitled " Statewide Groundwater and Drinking Water Protection".

Project Manager

Ryan
Lemickson
Minnesota Department of Agriculture
4100-220th St. West, Suite 100
Farmington
MN
55024
(612) 209-9181
Email: 
ryan.lemickson@state.mn.us

Competitive Grant Making Body

Information on the entities that award competitive grants
Board Members and Qualifications 

Not Applicable

Advisory Group Members and Qualifications 

Not Applicable

Related Topics: 
Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Agriculture/Forestry/Mining, Water Resources, Demonstration/Pilot Project, Education/Outreach/Engagement, Research, Clean Water Fund, Local/Regional Government, Dakota