N Rate Risk Protection Program

Now Open: 2024 N Rate Risk Protection Program

With input costs rising and cutting into your farm’s profits, it’s time to look at reducing reliance on purchased inputs. With agronomic consulting from PFI staff and a risk protection, PFI can help you reduce nitrogen applications on your farm – saving you money and increasing your farm’s resiliency.

Sign up now

Farmers who are new to cutting inputs and farmers who’ve reduced nitrogen rates previously are both eligible for the program.

If your harvest benchmark yield (95% of your 10 year average APH) is not achieved, you’ll be reimbursed $35 per acre.

Enroll by April 30, 2024.

Requirements

  • Raise corn in 2024
  • Be willing to reduce nitrogen application by at least 20 lbs N/acre*
  • Farm in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska or southeastern South Dakota
  • Acres must not be certified as organic
  • Acres cannot overlap with any privately funded cost-share program, such as a carbon market (ex. Indigo, SWOF, TruCarbon, etc.)
  • Acres must be already insured with Multi-Peril Crop Insurance Revenue or Yield Protection policy

*Farmers applying lower nitrogen rates already may still be eligible with their already reduced nitrogen rate or a smaller reduction in nitrogen. PFI agronomists have some discretion with lower initial rates and can talk through reduced nitrogen rates with you during your initial consultation.

Download flyer with program milestones and more details.

FAQ

Why reduce applied N?

Reducing applied nitrogen rates can have a big impact on your bottom line, plus tremendous benefits for water quality and emission reductions. Less wasted excess N applied to your fields means less wasted cost for yourself. Use this program to explore your economical nitrogen rate for your fields.

How do you calculate my yield average?

We will use your crop insurance records to determine your 2024 yield and your non-adjusted actual production history (APH). If you do not have 10 years of cropping history, we will use county averages for your benchmark yield.

How many pounds N do I need to reduce?

On average, farmers will reduce nitrogen applications by approximately 20 lbs N per acre from their typical application. Farmers that are already applying low rates of nitrogen may still be eligible to participate in the program with a smaller reduction of nitrogen. If you have recently reduced your nitrogen in prior years and are still unsure if it is the right rate for your farm, you may be eligible to enroll at your current reduced rate.

What N forms are counted in my “typical application?”

Both synthetic nitrogen fertilizer and manure is counted in your application rates. If you do not have a manure analysis, we use book values from Iowa State University and the University of Minnesota to estimate your applied nitrogen. Biologicals or legume credits are not calculated into your typical applied nitrogen rate.

Questions

Contact our field crops viability coordinator, Chelsea Ferrie, by emailing chelsea.ferrie(at)practicalfarmers(dot)org or by calling the office at (515) 232-5661.