New mobile app will help Nebraska farmers to stop overapplying nitrogen fertilizer

A new technological initiative has been launched in Nebraska to address the long-standing issue of nitrogen overapplication in agriculture.  A web and mobile application suite “Producer Connect” aims to encourage voluntary reductions in nitrogen fertilizer usage, promising cost savings and healthier groundwater conditions.

The journey to this innovation began over a decade ago when Wade Ellwanger, General Manager of the Lower Niobrara Natural Resources District (NRD), discovered alarming trends in local fertilizer practices. Ellwanger’s analysis of farmer-submitted reports revealed that a staggering 91% of them were applying excessive nitrogen on their cornfields, often exceeding the recommendations by up to 30 pounds per acre. These surplus applications did not lead to increased crop yields, but rather seeped into the sandy soils prevalent in the region, risking contamination of the groundwater with nitrate levels higher than those deemed safe for human consumption.

Responding to these findings, the Lower Niobrara NRD initiated a program to educate farmers about the impact of their fertilizer use. By 2021, their efforts resulted in a significant reduction of fields with excessive nitrogen applications, dropping from 91% to 66%. The average excess application also saw a reduction, from 30 to 10 pounds per acre.

The statewide rollout of the “Producer Connect” app this fall is an extension of these localized efforts. Developed by Scottsbluff-based Longitude 103, the app not only facilitates easier reporting of fertilizer usage but also provides comparative analysis with peers and university guidelines. It highlights potential savings—up to $40 per acre—achievable through optimized fertilizer use.

Seventeen of Nebraska’s 23 NRDs, primarily from the state’s major corn-growing areas, have adopted this proactive tool. According to Dean Edson, director of the NRD association, this initiative is a critical step in addressing the high nitrate levels affecting nearly one-fifth of Nebraska’s public water supplies and private wells.

Despite the technological advancements and regulatory efforts, including recent legislative measures like the Nitrogen Reduction Incentive Act, reversing the trend of groundwater nitrate contamination is expected to be a gradual process. Participants of the program acknowledge that substantial improvements will require time, with ongoing educational and financial incentives playing crucial roles in fostering sustainable agricultural practices.