Nitrogen BMPs and nitrate water quality issues in southeast Minnesota: What should growers be thinking about?

University of Minnesota Extension’s two-day field School for Ag Professionals is coming up July 29 and July 30, 2026. If you’re an agronomist, a retailer, dealer or consultant, if you’re a summer field scout - we encourage you to attend these small-group, hands-on sessions led in the field by experienced instructors. 12 Certified Crop Advisor CEUs credits are available! For all the details, including info on lodging, visit z.umn.edu/AgFieldSchool2026Today on the show we join a panel of 5 specialists, practitioners, Extension educators to discuss nitrates and water quality in southeast Minnesota. What is the current situation with nitrates and water quality in southeast Minnesota? Is the situation improving over time? What are some key factors affecting nitrate concentrations? What should growers in the region be thinking about in terms of nitrogen best management practices? What are some other ways that farmers in southeast Minnesota can help improve water quality? What else should we be thinking about related to N BMPs and nitrate water quality issues in southeast Minnesota? What resources (financial and otherwise) are available to farmers in southeast Minnesota? All this and much more today's Nutrient Management Podcast from University of Minnesota Extension. Video of this podcast is available on our YouTube channel! Watch it here. Guests:Mary Nesberg, Extension educator (Rochester)Daniel Kaiser, Extension nutrient management specialist (St. Paul)Brad Carlson, Extension educator (Mankato)Kevin Kuehner, Hydrologist, Minnesota Department of Agriculture (Preston)Jeff Vetsch, U of M researcher (Waseca)Additional Resources:Improved understanding of groundwater age and nitrate trendsGreenCovR: Cover crop management tool provides local information on green cover achieved by managementMinnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification ProgramTap-In: Safe Drinking Water for SE MinnesotaGrain Gathering 2026 Olmested County SWCDCorn Nitrogen Rate CalculatorMinnesota Nutrient Reduction StrategyNitrates and drinking water: Resources for southeast Minnesota well users, farmersSoutheast Minnesota nitrogen meeting presentations now available onlinez.umn.edu/NitrogenSmartAddressing nitrate in southeastern MinnesotaExtension addresses nitrate water quality issues in southeast MinnesotaWhat decade are we measuring? Improved understanding of groundwater age and nitrate trends (YouTube video)