Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy podcasts available

The Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy, released in 2015, serves as a framework for improving water quality both at home and downstream by guiding the state’s efforts to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus levels in our lakes, streams, and rivers. The ultimate goal of the strategy is a 45% reduction of total nitrogen and phosphorus losses, leaving the state with interim goals of a 15 and 25% reduction in nitrate-nitrogen and phosphorus loss, respectively. To reach these goals, the NLRS recommends a comprehensive suite of best management practices for reducing nutrient loads from urban and agricultural runoff and wastewater treatment plants. These practices are rooted in science and determined based upon the best available technology and cutting-edge research.

The science assessment at the heart of the NLRS determined that agriculture is a leading source for the total nitrate-nitrogen and total phosphorus loading in Illinois. Among the three sectors (agriculture, point sources, and urban runoff) 80% of the nitrate-nitrogen and 48% of the total phosphorus lost to the Mississippi comes from agricultural sources, which means that agricultural producers have a great opportunity to improve local water bodies and those downstream.

The strategy recommends specific practices to reach nitrogen and phosphorus load reductions. There are three approaches agricultural producers can take to reduce nutrient loading to water bodies: methods within the field, edge-of-field practices, and through shifts in land use. Producers can minimize nitrogen losses through the use of efficient nitrogen management, implementing practices such as the use of a nitrification inhibitor, shifting application from fall to spring or side-dress, and applying nitrogen at agronomic rates. Cover crops serve as an in-field practice to retain nitrogen in your field over the winter. Practices to reduce nitrogen losses at the edge of the field include methods such as woodchip bioreactors, constructed wetlands, and buffer strips.

In-field practices identified to minimize phosphorus losses include reduced tillage, cover crops, and reducing phosphorus application rates. Planting buffers to catch sediment as water runoff reaches streams serves as an edge-of-field practice for phosphorus reduction. Growing a perennial or energy crop can reduce both nitrogen and phosphorus losses. No one practice will be suitable on every acre, but every acre needs at least one practice.

To guide farmers in implementing agricultural best management practices, the University of Illinois Extension developed a podcast to feature discussions on various management practices, the latest research, and new industry initiatives. Generally, each episode features a subject matter expert that shares science-based information and a farmer who has successfully implemented a conservation practice to highlight their lessons learned.

The Nutrient Loss Reduction Podcast has released 26 episodes since June 2018. The podcast releases new episodes monthly. You can find all podcast episodes at: https://will.illinois.edu/agriculture/note/50107.

For any questions regarding the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Podcast or agricultural best management practices, please feel free to contact me at 309-932-3447.

Haley Haverback-Gruber is a University of Illinois Extension watershed outreach associate.