By Andi Anderson
Enrollment is now open for the 2025 Nitrogen Rate Risk Protection Program, a free opportunity for corn farmers to reduce their nitrogen use while maintaining crop yields.
This program offers personalized consultation from PFI agronomists, who will assess field-specific nitrogen reductions that may be feasible without compromising yield.
Farmers who participate and experience yield loss due to reducing their nitrogen rates will receive $35 per acre as risk protection.
The program is available to all corn farmers in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, and southeastern South Dakota. To be eligible, participants must commit to reducing nitrogen by at least 20 pounds per acre and be managing their acres conventionally.
Certified organic acres and acres involved in other cost-share programs, such as carbon markets, are not eligible. All acres must also be insured under a Multi-Peril Crop Insurance Revenue or Yield Protection policy.
Farmers who are new to reducing nitrogen inputs, as well as those who have already taken steps to lower nitrogen rates, are encouraged to enroll.
Agronomists will work with participants to determine the best nitrogen reduction plan, and in cases where farmers are already applying lower rates, the program offers flexibility.
This program helps farmers cut input costs, making their operations more resilient, while ensuring financial protection if yield loss occurs due to reduced nitrogen use.
Farmers must enroll by April 30, 2025, to take advantage of this opportunity. For more details, farmers can contact PFI agronomists or refer to the program’s Q&A section for more information about payment.
By participating, farmers can improve their farm’s sustainability while saving money on nitrogen inputs.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-livingimages
Categories: Iowa, Sustainable Agriculture