Minnesota Ag Connection - Free Nitrate Screenings Available to Minnesota Farmers

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Free Nitrate Screenings Available to Minnesota Farmers
Minnesota Ag Connection - 05/07/2021

The Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) is giving farmers the opportunity to have their ditch, stream, tile and well water tested for nitrates at no cost. Nitrate testing is an easy way for farmers to better understand water conditions and potential nutrient loss on their farms.

If you are interested in submitting a sample for testing or have questions, please contact your MCGA District Field Manager. Free testing will be offered throughout the spring and early summer, and results are confidential.

Collecting a sample for testing is simple:

To take a ditch, stream or tile sample:

- Collect 1 cup of water in a clean plastic or glass container.

- Freeze sample after collection. Remove from freezer only when you bring the sample for testing and allow time thaw.

- Samples taken and analyzed the same day do not need to be frozen, just kept cool.

To take a sample of well water:

- Run your cold tap for 5-10 minutes.

- Collect about 1 cup of water in a clean plastic or glass container.

- Follow the same storage process used for ditch, stream or tile water. One sample per well is sufficient for screening.

Interpretation of nitrate levels from surface water or water collected from agricultural drainage systems can vary year to year due to fluctuations in precipitation and temperature, and other factors such as crop growth and the layout of existing tile systems. Interpretation of drinking water samples is fairly straightforward, as the federal standard for nitrate of 10 mg/l has been in place for nearly 70 years.

Through corn farmers' investment in the Minnesota corn check-off, corn farmers invest more than $2.6 million annually in research that improves on-farm practices while identifying new markets for the state's corn crop. This includes research, education and best practice adoption that increases the efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer use.

For additional information or resources, please visit:

- University of Minnesota Extension provides a wide variety of resources to producers related to nutrient management including research, best practices, recommendations and testing and analysis. extension.umn.edu/crop-production#nutrient-management

- University of Minnesota Extension's Nitrogen Smart is an educational program for producers that presents fundamentals for maximizing economic return on nitrogen investments while minimizing nitrogen losses. The courses are conveniently offered online and are free of charge. extension.umn.edu/courses-and-events/nitrogen-smart

- The Minnesota Agricultural Water Resources Center (MAWRC) is a research and education organization comprised of the farm organizations from across Minnesota, working together to identify and address water issues. https://mawrc.org/

- Discovery Farms MN is an on-farm, producer-led research program that provides data at a scale that complements both experimental plot research and computer modeling projects. https://discoveryfarmsmn.org/

Learn more about corn farmer-funded research at mncorn.org/research.

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