Starting in September, fall nitrogen fertilizer application in Minnesota will be restricted in areas vulnerable to groundwater contamination. The Groundwater Protection rule restricts the use of nitrogen fertilizer in the fall and on frozen soils in Minnesota. Depending on where you farm, you could be subject to one part of the rule, both parts or none at all. An interactive online map provides more details for farmers. “You can look right down to the detail on your farm to see if you’re impacted by this,” said Thom Petersen, agriculture commissioner, Minnesota Agriculture Department. “About 13 percent of Minnesota’s farmland will be impacted. It starts in southeast Minnesota, working its way up toward the Twin Cities and into the sand plains area.” Northwest Minnesota is exempt from climate portion of the rule. There are also some exceptions to the restrictions. For example, the Ag Department says fall nitrogen fertilizer application will be allowed for growing fall cover crops in a potato rotation, establishing winter grains planted in the fall and more. The department will also host a webinar on August 12 to answer questions.
