The Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Podcast

In the latest episode of the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Podcast, University of Illinois State Soil Fertility Specialist John Jones, Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association Director of Nutrient Stewardship Dan Schaefer, University of Illinois Agricultural Economist Nick Paulson, and Piatt County farmer Eric Miller discuss fall fertilizer management. The conversation, part of the FarmDoc...

University of Illinois Extension soil fertility specialist John Jones advises farmers to delay fall nitrogen applications until soil temperatures at a four-inch depth fall to 50 degrees Fahrenheit and continue cooling. To further prevent nitrogen loss through leaching, he recommends using nitrification inhibitors to delay the microbial conversion of ammonium to vulnerable nitrate. While fall appli...

This episode of the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Podcast examines the crucial role of timing in cover crop establishment through discussions with regional farmers Adam Dahmer, Brent Fowler, and Greg Thoren. The speakers emphasize that optimal seeding dates depend on geographic location and operational goals, highlighting tools such as the Midwest Cover Crops Council's county-specific seeding c...

In Episode 84 of the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Podcast, Illinois farmers Adam Dahmer, Brent Fowler, and Greg Thoren share practical management advice from their experiences with cover crops and no-till across different parts of the state. The third installment of the cover crop conversations series discusses cover crop establishment and termination, planter setup, lessons learned from trans...

This episode of the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Podcast examines the economic and agronomic realities of cover crops through a panel discussion with three diverse Illinois farmers. Adam Dahmer, Brent Fowler, and Greg Thoren argue that prioritizing profit per acre and soil structure proves more financially viable than chasing raw yield metrics. The panel presents field-level observations indic...

Despite being the only in-field practice that efficiently reduces both nitrogen and phosphorus, cover crops are currently used on just 6% of Illinois cropland. To encourage wider adoption, the University of Illinois Extension launched the FLASH (Farmer-Led Advances for Soil Health) program, which incentivizes localized farmer-to-farmer networking to foster cultural and mindset shifts. During a rec...

In episode 81 of the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Podcast, Dr. Lizzie French and Mick Goedeken from Waypoint Analytical discuss how soil microbes influence nutrient cycling, soil structure, and nutrient retention within agricultural systems. The conversation explores how soil biology interacts with fertilizer management and conservation practices, including reduced tillage, cover crops, and ma...

In episode 80 of the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Podcast, University of Illinois Assistant Professor and Extension agronomist Giovani Preza Fontes shares results from a research project evaluating soybean performance across different tillage systems and fertilizer strategies.  The study was initiated following recent dust storm events in Illinois and across the Midwest, including the tragic 2...

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 Nit...

In Episode 78 of the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Podcast, University of Illinois agricultural economist Marin Skidmore discusses her study reviewing 35 years of USDA wetland restoration. She explains how these restorations reduce nitrogen concentrations in surface water, the data used to evaluate their effectiveness, and the cost-saving implications for rural communities that rely on surface...

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 nutri...

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 pas...

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...

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 wastewat...

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...

Mila Marshall of the Sierra Club Illinois Chapter highlights the group's work to reduce nutrient pollution in Illinois through education, advocacy, and the promotion of constructed wetlands. The Sierra Club promotes wetlands as a cost-effective solution for reducing nitrogen and phosphorus pollution. She emphasizes collaboration between farmers, wastewater treatment facilities, and the public to s...

In this episode of the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Podcast, Paula Hingson and Matt Robert of USDA NRCS discuss how wetland restoration easements and constructed wetlands help reduce nutrient loss in Illinois. They explain how easement programs like wetland restoration easement through the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) support landowners by converting flood-prone farmland b...

On this episode of the Nutrient Loss Reduction Podcast, Jill Kostel from The Wetlands Initiative and farmer Rex Newton, discuss constructed wetlands highlighting their role in intercepting tile drainage and reducing nitrates. Explore efforts to reduce nutrients in Illinois waterways from agricultural runoff to municipal wastewater with host Todd Gleason and producers Rachel Curry and Nicole Haverb...

In this bonus edition of the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Podcast, Todd Gleason interviews Jon Doggett, head of Camas Creek Consulting LLC and former CEO of the National Corn Growers Association. They discuss the importance of conservation and climate-smart practices in agriculture, the opportunities presented by the Inflation Reduction Act, and the need for voluntary, incentive-based programs...

Wetlands are some of the most vital yet misunderstood ecosystems, often portrayed in film as eerie, dangerous places rather than the biodiverse habitats they are. In this episode, Dr. Jeff Matthews and Dr. Caitlin Bloomer from the University of Illinois discuss wetland perceptions, their ecological importance, and efforts to improve public understanding. Explore efforts to reduce nutrients in Illi...

Woodchip bioreactors are a useful tool in reducing nutrient loss, particularly nitrate, from tile-drained fields before the water is discharged. In this episode of the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Podcast , farmer Brian Corkill and contractor David Johnston join Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership’s Helen VanBeck to discuss the recent installation of a bioreactor on Corkill’s farm, the process...

Edge-of-field practices reduce nutrient loss, improve wildlife habitats, and support long-term sustainability. In this episode, farmers Brian Corkill, Brent Fowler, and Jim Fulton from Henry, McDonough, and Livingston counties share their experiences with implementing these conservation practices, offering valuable insights for landowners and farmers. Explore efforts to reduce nutrients in Illinoi...

In Episode 65 of the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Podcast, we take a deeper look at the importance of stable streambanks in keeping waterways clean and protecting farmlands with Dr. Andrew Margenot from University of Illinois, Trevor Toland, a landowner from western Illinois, and Jeff Boeckler of NorthWater Consulting . Explore efforts to reduce nutrients in Illinois waterways from agricultura...