Description

Nitrogen Smart is an educational program for producers that offers both fundamental and advanced topics in nitrogen (N) management. The Advanced Nitrogen Smart courses are available to returning participants or to new participants that complete the Fundamentals course.

Nitrogen Smart certification is valid for three years. 

Nitrogen Smart: Fundamentals 

Nitrogen Smart focuses on the fundamentals of nitrogen management so producers can maximize economic return on N investments while minimizing losses. This high-quality, research-based education course includes the following topics:

• Sources of nitrogen (N) for crops

• How nitrogen is lost from soil and how you can reduce losses

• How to manage nitrogen in drainage systems

• What the Nutrient Reduction Strategy and Nitrogen Fertilizer Management Plan mean for Minnesota producers

• Practices to refine nitrogen management, including split applications, alternative N fertilizers, soil and tissue testing and N models

Advanced Nitrogen Smart

The Advanced Nitrogen Smart courses are available to returning participants or to new participants that complete the Fundamentals course. You may complete any or all Advanced courses in any order.

A deep dive into the 4Rs

The 4Rs were developed in collaboration between university researchers and the fertilizer industry during the late 1980s. The 4Rs promote a nutrient management approach that balances crop productivity with environmental preservation:

• Right rate – Nitrogen rates have the potential to make the largest impact on both crop production and the environment. The key to optimizing rates is to follow university N guidelines, use soil nitrate-N tests when appropriate, and scout for deficiencies.
• Right source – Once in a plant-available form, the plant doesn't distinguish one N source from another. However, there are differences in how N fertilizers interact with the environment, which can affect both availability and loss.
• Right time – The nutrient supply should be synchronized with crop demand and uptake. Several factors influence N availability - including fertilizer source, the use of stabilizers or inhibitors, and field conditions - and together they help determine when it's most appropriate for that particular N source to be applied. 
• Right place - Nutrients should be placed where the crop can use them. Consequently, the application method is important for optimum fertilizer efficiency. 

Manure management

Livestock manures have been used as a crop fertilizer source for thousands of years. It continues to be a valuable source of crop nutrients, even with the advent of synthetic fertilizers. Because its nutrient content and availability can vary widely, it's important to develop a management plan that will optimize crop productivity while protecting water quality.

Topics include:

• Benefits and challenges of using manure in crop production

• What determines nutrient content in manure

• How manure storage and handling affect nutrient availability

• Importance of manure sampling and testing

• How application methods and timing affect nitrogen loss 

• Practices to optimize manure use and minimize nitrogen losses 

Reducing nitrate to water

This course picks up where "ANS: A deep dive into the 4Rs" left off. Learn more about the statewide goals for reducing nitrate flux to our major waters, including the Mississippi River, Superior Lake basin, and Red River. You'll gain understanding into how nitrogen management practices can help reach the Nutrient Reduction Strategy and local watershed goals. Then take a deeper dive into edge of field practices that can mitigate nitrate loss to surface water. Finally, examine land management practices that may fit into a farm operation.

It's strongly recommended that registrants complete "ANS: A deep dive into the 4Rs" before enrolling in this course.

Biologicals and nitrogen management

Biological products used in nitrogen management are an emerging and rapidly changing industry. In this course, we'll introduce the range of biologicals being marketed and then focus on asymbiotic nitrogen-fixing organisms. You’ll examine university trials comparing products to best management practices and then consider how farming practices impact product viability. Finally, you’ll learn what’s important in setting up an on-farm trial to test product claims.

Variable rate nitrogen

Variable rate technology has been around for several decades. While it seemed to show a lot of promise as a new technology when it emerged, interest in it has waned. In this course, we'll take a closer look at zone management, active sensing technology, the pre-sidedress nitrate test, and crop models as tools to increase nitrogen management efficiency. You’ll learn what the research says about these technologies and then take a look at their potential use in the future.   

Other Advanced Nitrogen Management topics 

Future courses are under development and will include variable rate nitrogen.  

Please note: These courses are self-paced. You may register at any point and complete the coursework when it is convenient for you. If you cannot complete the coursework within one year of registering, please contact ext-reg@umn.edu. 

Course contacts

Brad Carlson
bcarlson@umn.edu

Dan Kaiser
dekaiser@umn.edu

Registration help

ext-reg@umn.edu

Get helpful tips and hints for online learning at Extension's Website.

Get more information about this program at Nitrogen Smart.