In Episode 79 of the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Podcast, University of Illinois soil fertility specialist John Jones, agricultural economist Gary Schnitkey, and Illinois Corn Growers Association water quality specialist Laura Gentry share highlights from a live panel discussion recorded during the December Farm Assets Conference. The panel focuses on nitrogen rate decisions, how the Corn Nitrogen Rate Calculator works, and why maximizing profit, not yield, should guide fertilizer management. They also discuss how nitrogen rates influence nutrient loss and what farm-level data shows about applications above the economic optimum.

Explore efforts to reduce nutrients in Illinois waterways with host Todd Gleason and producers Rachel Curry, Nicole Haverback, and Luke Zwilling.

• Read the blog at extension.illinois.edu/nlr/blog
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Explore more about nutrient loss in Illinois at go.illinois.edu/nutrientloss

Farmers often learn best from one another, and the Farmer-Led Advances in Soil Health (FLASH) program helps make those connections possible. In Episode 77, Morgan Cauble from AFT, Malina Przygoda from the Coles County Soil and Water Conservation District, and Bobby Orman, a Coles County farmer, discuss the FLASH program and its Batch and Grow cover crop initiative.

Explore efforts to reduce nutrients in Illinois waterways from agricultural runoff to municipal wastewater with host Todd Gleason and producers Rachel Curry, Nicole Haverback, and Luke Zwilling.

· Read the blog at extension.illinois.edu/nlr/blog

· Subscribe for updates

· Explore more about nutrient loss in Illinois at go.illinois.edu/nutrientloss

In episode 76, Precision Conservation Management (PCM) director Greg Goodwin, conservation specialist Lou Liva, and Stark County farmer Noah Forlines discuss how the PCM program works with farmers to collect field-level data and return it to them in a usable format. The conversation focused on how PCM combines conservation and profitability through detailed data analysis, gathering information pass-by-pass from the farm. The field-level data helps farmers improve their economic and environmental performance without requiring changes in their practices. The data is also organized into an annual report, allowing farmers to compare their local performance and better understand their own operations.

Explore efforts to reduce nutrients in Illinois waterways from agricultural runoff to municipal wastewater with host Todd Gleason and producers Rachel Curry, Nicole Haverback, and Luke Zwilling.

· Read the blog at extension.illinois.edu/nlr/blog

· Subscribe for updates

· Explore more about nutrient loss in Illinois at go.illinois.edu/nutrientloss

In the second of a two-part series, Illinois farmers Norm Deets of Ogle County, Brian Corkill of Henry County, and John Pike of Williamson County share management advice from years of working with cover crops. They discuss seeding rates, species selection, erosion control, and how to balance profitability with your conservation goals.

Explore efforts to reduce nutrients in Illinois waterways from agricultural runoff to municipal wastewater with host Todd Gleason and producers Rachel Curry, Nicole Haverback, and Luke Zwilling.

• Read the blog at extension.illinois.edu/nlr/blog
• Subscribe for updates
• Explore more about nutrient loss in Illinois at go.illinois.edu/nutrientloss

In the first of a two-part series, three Illinois farmers- Norm Deets of Ogle County, Brian Corkill of Henry County, and John Pike of Williamson County discuss their experiences with cover crops, focusing on the challenges they faced when getting started and lessons they learned along the way.

Explore efforts to reduce nutrients in Illinois waterways from agricultural runoff to municipal wastewater with host Todd Gleason and producers Rachel Curry, Nicole Haverback, and Luke Zwilling.

• Read the blog at extension.illinois.edu/nlr/blog
• Subscribe for updates
• Explore more about nutrient loss in Illinois at go.illinois.edu/nutrientloss

Nate Lawrence and MJ Oviatt from the Savanna Institute discuss how agroforestry practices like windbreaks, alley cropping, and silvopasture can reduce nutrient loss and support farm resilience. They highlight research showing these practices improve water quality, enhance biodiversity, and provide new revenue streams for farmers. The episode also covers economic challenges to adoption and invites farmers to engage through events and the Corn Belt Windbreak Project.

Explore efforts to reduce nutrients in Illinois waterways from agricultural runoff to municipal wastewater with host Todd Gleason and producers Rachel Curry and Nicole Haverback.

• Read the blog at extension.illinois.edu/nlr/blog
• Subscribe for updates
• Explore more about nutrient loss in Illinois at go.illinois.edu/nutrientloss