The Sconi

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has announced the recipients of grant funding for the 2025 Commercial Nitrogen Optimization Pilot Program. This initiative supports nine projects aimed at improving methods for optimizing commercial nitrogen application in agricultural fields, with a focus on preserving soil and water resources.

Randy Romanski, DATCP Secretary, expressed appreciation for the program's support: “Thanks to the Governor and legislature's leadership, the NOPP program staff, and the ongoing work of producers around the state, important research continues to be conducted on the use of nitrogen in agriculture. The research being carried out through this program is supporting Wisconsin farmers as they develop best practices for applying commercial nitrogen to their fields and helps Wisconsin remain a leader in sustainability."

The pilot program encourages agricultural producers to innovate in nitrogen application over at least two growing seasons. Participants are required to collaborate with a University of Wisconsin System institution, which will provide monitoring and conduct field studies.

Each producer involved can receive up to $40,000 in grant money. Additionally, up to 20% of funds awarded go to the UW System for research assistance. Applications closed on January 17, 2025, with DATCP receiving 13 requests totaling more than $1.15 million.

The selected projects total $800,000 and include various studies such as seed applied mycorrhizal fungi impact on corn nitrogen efficiency; timing study in cranberry marshes; corn nitrogen-rate study in Portage County; validation for eastern Wisconsin soils; quantifying legume-dominated cover crop mixtures; evaluating MRTN rates versus high yield environments; analyzing landscape position effect; and determining if "priming" rye affects no-till corn.

Further details about these grants can be found on DATCP's website.