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Study highlights nutrient loss reduction progress

A new study which measures the success of the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy was unveiled at the Illinois Farm Bureau annual meeting.

The goal of the of the strategy is to reduce nitrate losses by 15 percent and phosphorus losses by 25 percent by 2025. 

Julie Armstrong, executive director of the Illinois Nutrient Research and Education Council (NREC) says the results of a new study measures how effective Illinois farmers have been in implementing those strategies and where improvements need to be made.  “There is really great awareness of some of the practices, like the 4R practices,” she says.  “But there are some of the other newer practices like bioreactors and constructed wetlands that really require a lot more information and support so we can help move that needle on meeting the goals of that strategy.”

AUDIO: Julie Armstrong, NREC

NREC contracted the Illinois NASS office to survey producers.  State statistician Mark Schleusener says the results show Illinois corn farmers have made significant progress toward meeting the goals of the strategy.  “In 2011, 8.8 million acres of corn were fertilized with an MRTN strategy,” he says.  “That’s 70 percent.  In 2015, that number had increased to 81 percent.”

AUDIO: Mark Schleusener, Illinois NASS

Armstrong says the information collected will also be used by the Gulf Hypoxia Task Force to highlight the efforts Illinois is making to reduce nutrient runoff.