The Lower Loup NRD and the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources are partnering to offer a new cost-share program to reduce nitrogen fertilizer inputs. The Nitrogen Reduction Incentive Act (NiRIA) established a state funded program that provides incentive payments to producers for reducing the use of commercial fertilizers.
The requirements of NiRIA are that producers verify a reduction in nitrogen fertilizer application rates as the lesser of 40 pounds per acre or 15% of their baseline application rate. The payment rate is $15.00/acre limited to 280 acres per application/field. Eligible fields include those which will be planted to corn or potatoes in 2025.
To apply, landowners must submit 1) a completed Nitrogen Reduction Act Program Application with the method used to achieve nitrogen reduction, 2) documentation of the last yearly nitrogen fertilizer applications and sources for the applied field, and 3) a soil test for the applied field. The application due date is January 15, 2025. To receive payment, landowners must submit all documentation of nitrogen sources applied to the field, the method used for the nitrogen reduction, reported yield, and documentation of advanced technology practices, if applicable, by January 15, 2026.
Additionally, the Lower Loup NRD is offering cost-share through the Advanced Soil Sampling Program for bonus ranking where a producer would perform one advanced soil health test and one 3-foot-deep soil nitrate test per 40 acres (limit 8 sample sets per landowner).
Contact the Lower Loup NRD in Ord for more information on the Nitrogen Reduction Act Program or Advanced Soil Sampling Program. Applications for both programs are available at the Lower Loup NRD or at www.LLNRD.org.
Nitrogen Reduction Incentive Act Program Guidelines
- The Lower Loup NRD has established the following priority areas for the Nitrogen Reduction Incentive Act Program:
1) Source Water Protections Areas
- Phase II Management Areas and Wellhead Protection Areas
2) LLNRD Certified Irrigated Acres
3) Dryland Acres
Application Process:
- Landowners will submit a completed application by January 15, 2025, that includes:
a. Nitrogen Reduction Act (NiRIA) Program Application
i. Include the method to be used to achieve nitrogen reduction on the field
b. US Citizenship and W-9 Forms
- Eligible fields include those that will be planted to corn or potatoes in 2025
- Landowners will submit the following information with their application:
a. Documentation of the last yearly nitrogen fertilizer applications and source(s) on the field for the previous corn or potato crop grown.
b. Soil Test for the applied field
i. LLNRD Advanced Soil Sampling Cost-Share Program is an option for bonus ranking.
Payment:
- Landowners must submit the following information by January 15, 2026, to receive payment
a. Documentation of all nitrogen fertilizer sources applied to the field
b. The method implemented for the nitrogen reduction
c. Reported yield for the applied field
d. Documentation of advanced technology practices for nitrogen reduction if applicable
e. Advanced Soil Sampling Results if applicable
f. Manure Sampling Results if applicable
