Minnesota awards $1.6 million to expand farmer access to nitrogen enhanced-efficiency fertilizers

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has awarded more than $1.6 million through its Nitrogen Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizer Discount program, which provides funding to agricultural retailers that offer farmers discounts on approved nitrogen management products. Eligible products include nitrification inhibitors, urease inhibitors listed on the state’s approved product list, and polymer-coated urea.

The program, supported by a federal Climate Pollution Reduction Grant, awards contracts ranging from $25,000 to $400,000 to agricultural cooperatives and qualified retailers. Nitrification inhibitors and polymer-coated urea qualify for discounts up to $10 per acre, while urease inhibitors qualify for up to $8 per acre. Program payments may not exceed 75% of actual product cost, and no individual farm may receive more than $10,000 in combined discounts.

Farmers participating must be certified under the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program or working toward certification. The state expects similar nitrogen fertilizer efficiency funding opportunities in 2027 and 2028. Enhanced-efficiency fertilizers reduce nitrogen losses to air and water by slowing the conversion of applied nitrogen into forms that leach or volatilize, effectively keeping more nutrient in the root zone where crops can use it.

Source: Minnesota Department of Agriculture