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Participating farmers are compensated $800 for a Field Trial and $1,000 for an Advanced Rate Trial.
Participating crop advisers are compensated $400 for each Field Trial and $500 for each Advanced Rate Trial. There is a one site maximum per farmer and ten sites maximum per adviser, funding permitting.

Results and information from these trials will help:

1. Farmers and crop advisers evaluate current nutrient management practices versus another practice (nitrogen rate, nitrogen application timing, use of a nitrogen stabilizer product, or different nitrogen source) on their own farms.
2. Provide an opportunity to compare different nutrient management practices and evaluate the outcomes of other trials.
3. Assist participants in evaluating practices that will help reduce nitrate losses from their fields.
4. Assist in highlighting existing advancements in nutrient management practices from farmers and crop advisers that can help demonstrate Best Management Practice (BMP) adoption in Minnesota.
5. Inform the University of Minnesota’s current nitrogen fertilizer recommendations (Advanced Rate Trials).

Individual results will be kept strictly confidential. Statewide results will be summarized for outreach purposes only to help highlight existing farm practice and Ag industry advancements in nutrient management.

• The Minnesota NMI program is available statewide.

• To enroll, farmers and crop advisers should both complete the simple registration form online, or contact a local NMI representative by March 15 (Farmers are limited to one Field Trial or Advanced Rate Trial, crop advisers are limited to ten).

• Farmers may work with a Crop Adviser or Co-op Agronomist to set up a Field Trial and record and submit required documentation.

  • If a farmer does not have a crop adviser, the MDA staff will be able to assist with Field Trial set up, harvest, and completion of required forms.

  • Crop adviser will verify information is correct by submitting forms for the farmer.

• Farmers can work with a Crop Adviser or MDA representative to set up Advanced Rate Trials and record and submit required documentation.

• Individual identity and locations from the NMI program will be kept confidential and only used for year-end summaries and educational or promotional purposes.

Farmer Payment

The State grant agreement is written to compensate farmers in two payments. A fully executed grant agreement must be in place prior to starting the trial. (Note compensation is different for Advanced Rate Trials):

• Payment 1 for a Field Trial: $400 upon installing the Field Trial, completing and submitting the Crop Management Information Form by June 30.

• Payment 2 for a Field Trial: $400 upon completing the Field Trial harvest, recording harvest results, and submitting the Harvest Information Form by December 31.

• Payment 1 for an Advanced Rate Trial: $500 upon installing the Advanced Rate Trial, completing and submitting the Crop Management Information Form and as-applied fertilizer shapefile by June 30.

• Payment 2 for an Advanced Rate Trial: $500 upon completing the Advanced Rate Trial harvest and submitting the yield monitor data shapefile by December 31.

*Compensation is for participation only. The MDA makes no other guarantees for economic losses as a result of participating with this demonstration project. Failure to meet all timeline requirements will void payment.

Trial Establishment and Harvest Data Collection

• Except for the management variable being tested, all other management practices should remain constant across the field (consistent nutrient application timing and method except where noted, hybrid, planting date, planting population, pest management, tillage, field history).

• Keep detailed records for all field operations associated with trial area.

• If field operations are performed by someone other than the participating farmer (custom applicator, co-op), operations must be performed according to established NMI guidelines and verified by participating farmer and crop adviser.

• Tillage and planting operations should be performed under optimum soil conditions while ensuring that all equipment is calibrated and in good working order.

• Collect accurate crop management and harvest data and ensure information is submitted in a timely manner.

• For Field Trial: If GPS equipment is not available, delineate Field Trial strips prior to nutrient application, identify and reference Field Trial area on an appropriate field map (aerial map, FSA map). The MDA representative can also assist in Field Trial strip delineation if needed with a hand-held GPS unit.

• For Advanced Rate Trial: Variable Rate Technology (VRT) and yield monitors to aid in Advanced Rate Trial design, installation and harvest are required.

• Alert the MDA representative of any issues that may impact successful plot harvest (hail, drought, flooding, wind).

Assist Farmer with Trial Establishment

• Help farmer(s) establish their trial in participating field(s), following NMI guidelines.
• Validate all field trial locations with flags, markers, or other means that are identifiable at time of harvest. GPS coordinates of each strip within the Field Trial are desirable, they are required for Advanced Rate Trials. 
• Submit Crop Management Information Form to an NMI representative by June 30 using the provided forms. Submitting form verifies adviser has reviewed for accuracy and the trial was set up correctly.

Assist Farmer with Harvest Data Collection

• Provide field trial layout maps or GIS shapefiles (if not previously provided).

• Be present at harvest. Verify and document yield according to established guidelines.

• Validate trial locations and record yield data accordingly.

• Ensure all weighing/monitoring equipment (weigh wagon, yield monitor, grain cart) is properly calibrated prior to trial harvest.

• Ensure combine separator and grain tank are empty prior to and after harvesting each strip within the Field Trial if using a weigh wagon or grain cart.

• Determine grain weight using same weighing/monitoring equipment (weigh wagon, yield monitor, grain cart) for each strip within the trial.

• Collect and record yield, moisture, and test weight information for each strip within the trial.

• Adjust grain yield to 15% moisture using formula provided in the Harvest Guidelines.

• Evaluate crop stand and record any issues on Crop Management and Harvest Information Forms.

• Complete Harvest Data Form and submit to an NMI representative by December 31 using the provided forms. In case of delayed harvest or any other issues, contact area NMI representative.