The IL Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy outlines a number of practices that farmers may voluntarily adopt in order to maximize nutrients kept for their crops and minimize nutrients leaving their fields.  

An estimated 80 percent of the nitrogen leaving the state is from agriculture - so what do we do about it?

Start by testing your water when tiles are running and ditches and streams are full.  We expect rain this weekend over much of central IL so Friday might be the exact right day to get started!

You can find a list of water testing sites here.  

Collect at least eight ounces of water from a tile, ditch, or pond near your family farm in a clean container.  Refrigerate the sample until you have time to get it tested, but within 48 hours take it to the nearest water testing site.  Perhaps your answers will surprise you!  But testing your water at different times of year will start to give you a glimpse into how much money you could save by implementing some best management practices to save your nitrogen.

Call the IL Corn office at 309-557-3257 with questions on water testing sites and procedures.