Overview and Update on the Nitrogen Fertilizer Management Plan (NFMP).

Public concern about excessive nitrate in water supplies appears to be at an all-time high. This is particularly relevant in central Minnesota where there are widespread irrigated, coarse-textured soils and in southeast Minnesota where there is shallow, fractured bedrock and karst topography. Recent groundwater sensitivity analysis suggests that there are approximately four million acres of cropland in Minnesota overlying vulnerable groundwater resources.

Over the past three years, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has developed a comprehensive response plan (Nitrogen Fertilizer Management Plan or NFMP) for protecting groundwater and responding to areas impacted by agricultural activities. The plan includes a blend of both regulatory and non-regulatory actions. We will spend some time discussing the key elements of the NFMP, how it will work, and the potential role of local farmers, dealerships and other partners. As part of the plan, the MDA released new proposed rules that could potentially impact a number of fall nitrogen application practices. Also as part of the NFMP, the MDA has accelerated nitrate testing efforts in private wells. Testing will focus on 230-275 agricultural townships where the underlying groundwater supplies are at potential risk. Over 60 townships in eight counties have been sampled to date. Some of the preliminary results will be shared during this discussion.