The MDA actively promotes fertilizer best management practices (BMPs). The purpose of the BMPs is to protect water quality while at the same time maintaining farm profitability. The BMPs should also be practical to implement. They refer to practices relating to the timing, rate, placement and source of fertilizer application and other practices that increase fertilizer use efficiency and decrease potential loss to the environment.
The nitrogen fertilizer BMPs are developed and written by the University of Minnesota after extensive research. The MDA adopts the BMPs after a review process and works with University of Minnesota-Extension, agricultural organizations, soil and water conservation districts and others to promote and demonstrate the BMPs.
The BMPs are specific to different regions of the state. Depending on the region, the practices address fertilizing corn, wheat, sugarbeets, potatoes and other crops in Minnesota.
While the following documents contain the recommended BMPs, the nitrogen rates listed in each publication may be outdated. To find the most recent nitrogen rate recommendations please visit the University of Minnesota.
Statewide BMPs & Fertilizer Recommendations
- Best Management Practices for Nitrogen Use in Minnesota*
- Best Management Practices for Nitrogen Use on Coarse Textured Soils*
- Fertilizing Corn in Minnesota (University of Minnesota Extension website),
- Fertilizing Corn Grown on Irrigated Sandy Soils*
- Crop-specific nutrient needs (University of Minnesota)
Regional BMPs
- Best Management Practices for Nitrogen Use in Northwestern Minnesota*
- Best Management Practices for Nitrogen Use in South Central Minnesota*
- Best Management Practices for Nitrogen Use in Southeastern Minnesota*
- Best Management Practices for Nitrogen Use in Southwestern and West Central Minnesota*
Potato BMPs
*Documents are held on the Minnesota Water Research Digital Library.
