N-WATCH™ is a soil-testing program to monitor nitrate levels from applied nitrogen and soil mineralized nitrogen. The sampling results allow farmers and agricultural retailers to make nitrogen management decisions based on actual ammonium and nitrate levels in their soil; farmers can see whether these levels are deficient, adequate, or excessive.
With funding from NREC, IFCA manages 100 N-WATCH™ sites each year throughout the state at on-farm sites. These sites are sampled four times each year: early spring, spring, summer, and at plant maturity. IFCA coordinates the analysis of N-WATCH™ sites with University of Illinois nitrogen tracking research and provides an overview of soil nitrate levels. Findings from this research are communicated through University of Illinois bulletins, educational webinars, and industry conferences.
The information collected from N-WATCH™ sites, as well as from the nitrogen rate trials, has helped change how fertilizer is used in Illinois. Many farmers are now engaged in a nitrogen management system, rather than an application system.
A growing number of producers are splitting what used to be typically a fall nitrogen application to a fall and spring schedule, using a portion for each application. This reduces the overall risk of nitrogen loss.
