Minnesota's new Nitrogen Fertilizer Restrictions go into effect September 1, 2020. These nitrogen restrictions are part of the Groundwater Protection Rule. The rule was developed to minimize the potential of nitrate pollution into Minnesota's groundwater. The nitrogen restrictions work with farmers to prevent public water supplies from exceeding the drinking water standards for nitrates.

About 12 to 13 percent of Minnesota's cropland is vulnerable to groundwater contamination. Those areas include course textured soils, karst geology and shallow bedrock. Go to the website: Groundwater Protection Rule to see the areas of Minnesota that are of concern. The new Nitrogen Rule as it is often called prohibits the application of nitrogen fertilizer in the fall and on frozen soil.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has produced a video that is available on the MDA website. Plus the MDA will hold a webinar on August 10, 2020 from 10:00 to 11:00 to answer questions. While no one likes more regulation it is important to protect our groundwater. Plus, we pay for the nitrogen and we want to do everything we can to make sure it is available to the corn crop!

 

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