Farmers interested in participating in the Nebraska Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) Program through the Lower Loup Natural Resources District have until May 15 to apply for the incentive-based program aimed at encouraging efficient nitrogen management practices.
The program offers a $15 per acre payment to producers who achieve a nitrogen use efficiency score of 1.0 or less on eligible cornfields. The score is determined by comparing total nitrogen sources (including applied fertilizer and credited sources such as irrigation water nitrate, residual soil nitrate, manure, and organic matter mineralization) against the yield produced from the field.
Dan Ruterbories with the Lower Loup NRD said the program is designed to help producers better manage nitrogen while protecting groundwater quality.
“We’re looking at being efficient with our nitrogen, not letting it slip through our soil profile, becoming into our aquifers and being in our groundwater or drinking water sources,” Ruterbories said. “So we’re looking at rewarding people who are trying to do a good job of having a high efficiency, taking everything into account when they’re growing their nutrient management plans for the year.”
Applications for the program are available through May 15 and producers can apply for multiple fields.
Participating producers will need to complete soil sampling for nitrogen prior to planting season in order to calculate residual soil nitrate and organic matter mineralization potential. Irrigated fields also require an in-season irrigation water sample to account for nitrate credits from irrigation water. Dryland fields are also eligible for the program.
Ruterbories said the current focus is simply getting producers signed up before the application deadline passes.
“They can find those applications either on our website at llnrd.org or they can contact our headquarter office and we can find a way to get it to them whether it’s email or sending it through the mail or something like that as well.”
After the application period closes, applicants will be notified whether they have been accepted into the program. Data submission for the 2026 growing season will not be due until Jan. 15, 2027.
In addition to the financial incentive, the program also gives producers another way to evaluate the efficiency of their nitrogen management practices. Lower Loup NRD staff agronomists are available to assist with recommendations and guidance throughout the process.
More information about the Nebraska Nitrogen Use Efficiency Program, including applications, flyers, and nitrogen management resources, can be found below. You can also listen to our full conversation with Ruterbories on KCNI Public Affairs below.
Program information link
Application link
Flyer link
Nitrogen management resources link
