Funding Opportunities for Individuals and Businesses

Good nitrogen management is essential for protecting groundwater quality. Proper nitrogen management includes managing nitrogen rate, source, timing, and placement. The primary goal of Nitrogen Best Management Practices is attaining high nitrogen use efficiency. This assures the most effective use of nitrogen fertilizer.

Good nitrogen management requires understanding

• How nitrogen is used by the crop
• When nitrogen is used by the crop
• What environmental influences affect the use of soil and fertilizer nitrogen by the growing crop
• How management of nitrogen and irrigation water affect the leaching of residual nitrate, which eventually affects water quality

Nitrogen uptake across the growing season

The rate of nitrogen uptake depends on the stage of crop development. The figure below shows that early in the growing season the plant demand for nitrogen is low. During the late vegetative and early reproductive stage, the demand for nitrogen is high. Application of nitrogen just before or during the time of most rapid nitrogen uptake assures the most efficient use of nitrogen by the crop.

Cumulative Nitrogen Uptake Across the Growing Season

A vital step in nitrogen management is calculating the recommended nitrogen application rate for your field's expected yield. A useful tool is the University of Nebraska's equation to estimate nitrogen fertilizer needs for corn. This equation is based on your fields expected yield, organic matter, irrigation water nitrate level, and nitrogen credits from past legume crops and manure application. These values can be determined by deep soil sampling.

The Lower Elkhorn NRD has cost share programs for soil sampling, manure sampling, and cornstalk nitrate testing.

It's a certainty that producers want their crops to have enough water. It's also clear that people have very different ideas about how to manage irrigation. Some very important components for proper irrigation management are understanding crop water use, irrigation efficiency, how much water to apply, and irrigation scheduling.

Components of Crop Water Use

Crops use water in two ways: evaporation (E) from the soil surface and transpiration (T) from the crop leaves. The sum of these is called evapotranspiration or ET for short. Over a growing season, 70-80% of all ET is made up of water that cools the plant by moving from the soil through the crop's root system and is transpired from the leaves. The remaining 20-30% of ET is direct evaporation from the soil.

The rate at which crops use water varies depending on plant and soil characteristics, weather, and the stage of growth the plant is in. The figure below shows the effect of weather on water use by a crop with full canopy cover.

Irrigation Measurements and Efficiency

An important step in irrigation management is knowing how much water you apply. The total volume of water pumped is easily determined by using a water meter on the irrigation pipeline. The NRD has ultrasonic flow meters that they are able to hook up an irrigation system that determines a fairly accurate flow rate measurement. Using the simple calculation of flow rate multiplied by pumping time gives you the total estimated volume of water pumped.

Total Volume Pumped = Pumping Rate (acre-in./ hour) x Pumping Time (hours)

No irrigation system is 100% efficient; part of the water applied will not be available for use by the crop. An estimated value of irrigation system efficiency must be used to calculate the gross amount of irrigation water that needs to be pumped to the field in order to apply a given net amount of irrigation water.

The Irrigation System Application Efficiency is a measure of the amount of water that is made available for crop use by an irrigation. Application efficiency is defined as:

Application Efficiency = Net Irrigation Depth / Gross Irrigation Depth

Net Irrigation Depth is the water that infiltrates into the soil and is stored in the root zone.

Irrigation Scheduling

Irrigation scheduling includes deciding when to irrigate and how much water to apply. As a rule of thumb irrigations should be scheduled so that the plant available soil moisture in the crop root zone remains above 50% of the available water-holding capacity.

Irrigation scheduling helps to:

• assure the plant water needs are met
• conserve water supplies
• avoid excess water application
• reduce nitrate leaching losses
• save pumping costs

The ideal outcome of pesticide use occurs when a pesticide accomplishes the purposes for which it was applied and then rapidly breaks down into harmless components such as carbon dioxide and water. But unfortunately, this does not always happen.

The highest potential for groundwater contamination occurs in sandy, permeable soils low in organic matter, particularly in locations with shallow water tables.

Management practices, or the methods used to apply pesticides, are another factor determining leaching potential. Injection or incorporation into the soil makes the pesticide most readily available for leaching. Most of the pesticides that have been detected in groundwater have been incorporated into the soil rather than sprayed onto growing crops.

The rate and timing of a pesticide's application also are critical in determining whether it will leach to groundwater. The larger the amount used and the closer the time of application to a heavy rainfall or irrigation, the more likely some pesticide will leach to groundwater. Particular care should be taken with chemigation because of the risks of back-siphoning and leaching.

Some preventative measures that can be taken to prevent contamination from pesticides:

• Identify the vulnerability of the soil
• Consider the pesticide application site in relation to surface water and groundwater
• Become familiar with pesticides that may leach
• Consider the vulnerability of the area
• Follow the directions on the pesticide label
• Apply the pesticide at the appropriate time
• Measure the pesticide properly and carefully
• Calibrate and maintain equipment properly
• Avoid spills and back-siphoning
• Direct the application to the target site
• Leave buffer zones around sensitive areas
• Dispose of pesticides properly
• Store pesticides safely in cool well-ventilated areas away from water sources
• Maintain records of pesticide use
• Consider weather and runoff
• Exercise care when practicing chemigation
• Check the well system
• Use Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Manure, when managed correctly, is an environmental and agronomic asset. Soils receiving agronomic rates of manure require less commercial fertilizer, are higher in organic matter, and may experience less runoff, erosion, and nitrogen leaching. However, manure, when managed incorrectly, represent the single largest threat to water quality from livestock production.

Windbreaks are planned and managed as part of a crop and/or livestock operation to enhance production, protect livestock, and control soil erosion. Field windbreaks protect a variety of wind-sensitive row, cereal, vegetable, orchard and vine crops, control wind erosion, and increase bee pollination and pesticide effectiveness. Livestock windbreaks help reduce animal stress and mortality, reduce feed consumption, and help reduce visual impacts and odors. Living snow fences keep roads clean of drifting snow and increase driving safety. They can also spread snow evenly across a field, increasing spring soil moisture.

• Grade Stabilization Dams/Water Impoundment Reservoirs
• New Terrace Systems - may include any terrace types with outlets listed in federal and state dockets, but is limited to five cubic yards of fill per linear foot of terrace (unless prior approval is given by NRD)
• Waterways without Terraces or existing Terraces - if operator is in compliance with conservation farm plan and soil loss is at acceptable limits of Nebraska Erosion & Sediment Control Act
• Water & Sediment Control Basins and Outlets - if operator is in compliance with conservation farm plan and soil loss is at or less than eight tons per acre. Cost share is limited to 10 cubic yards of dirt per linear foot of basins.
• Terrace Rebuilds
• Planned Grazing Systems (rotational grazing) - 40 acre minimum. Includes wells, tanks, grass seeding, pipelines and interior cross fences, fences around expired CRP fields
• Seeding on highly erodible crop land
• Rehabilitating dams (not dredging)
• Necessary extension of tile outlets for terraces or water and sediment control basins (if recommended by NRCS to solve an erosion problem
• Irrigation Water Management on existing irrigation systems including: re-nozzling pivots, and soil moisture sensors. Limit of $5,000 of District funds available to any one individual/entity per fiscal year
• Variable Rate Irrigation Conservation and corresponding Variable Frequency Drives are eligible utilizing NSWCP funds and meeting NRCS practice standards

• EQIP participants receiving cost share may apply for supplemental NRD cost share and receive up to 75% total funding between EQIP and District Funds. **Applicants MUST BE approved for LENRD cost share prior to beginning construction
• LENRD Supplemental Cost Share will expire, in combination with EQIP, after December 31st of the calendar year after EQIP approval, if the practice is not completed (ex. a producer is approved for EQIP cost share on terraces in March 2024. He would have until December 31, 2025 (21 months), to complete the project and receive the approved percentage of cost share). No partial payments will be made
• Conservation projects may not be cost shared with the Lower Elkhorn NRD funds if they are ineligible for EQIP funding because of non-compliance with the Federal Farm Program

• CSP participants receiving cost share may apply for supplemental NRD cost share and receive up to 55% total funding between CSP and District Funds. **Applicants MUST BE approved for LENRD cost share prior to beginning construction
• LENRD Supplemental Cost Share will expire, in combination with CSP, after December 31st of the calendar year after CSP approval, if the practice is not completed. (Ex. A producer is approved for CSP cost share on a waterway in March 2024. He would have until December 31, 2025 (21 months), to complete the project and receive the approved percentage of cost share). **No partial payments will be made.

Visit your local NRCS office for more information about this program

This program provides landowners with an incentive to construct conservation structures on the land during the growing season. Application period January 1 through April 1. 

1. The area under contract will be the smallest practical area to encompass the practices, as agreed upon with the cooperator. Payment is $250 per acre.
2. Construction must be done between April 1 and September 15. The field must be available for construction by August 1. The field may be planted to cover or a crop preceding or after construction. The crop or cover may be harvested or pastured during the contract period

Practices Eligible:

• Terraces
• Water and sediment control basins
• Waterways
• Tile outlets as part of erosion control system
   

1. The Lands for Conservation program will be on contractual basis between the landowner (cooperator) and the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District for one year while conservation practices are being established. Applications will be accepted beginning in January at your local Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office.
2. Terraces with grassed waterways and terraces with tile outlets qualify for this program. Terraces and waterways must be seeded during the contract period.
3. NRCS personnel will design terraces with waterways or tile drains. These practices must protect the entire field on which they are established. However, the area under contract will be the smallest practical area to encompass the practices, as agreed upon with the cooperator.
4. Land in another program that idles crop production may not be included in Lands for Conservation contracts.
5. Terraces with waterways or tile outlets may be cost-shared through the EQIP program administered by Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).  If these funds are not available or if the total cost is too high, cost-sharing assistance can be obtained through the LENRD's Conservation Cost-Share Program.
6. Construction must be done between April 1 and September 15.  The field must be available for construction by August 1.  The field may be planted to cover or a crop preceding or after construction.  The crop or cover may be harvested or pastured during the contract period.  Payment is $100 per acre.
7. Land under this contract must be farmed on the contour. If used for permanent pasture after the contract period, money received through this program must be returned. Land can be used for hayland as a normal part of the crop rotation.
8. If ownership of land changes during the contract period, the contract becomes void. The new owner may continue the contract, if agreed to with the Lower Elkhorn NRD.
9. The application period is January 1 through April 1. Approval of contracts will begin February 1 on a rotating basis.
10. Land contracted must be part of an NRCS developed conservation plan for the entire farm and must require terraces to meet the permissible soil loss under the Nebraska Erosion and Sediment Control Act. A conservation system must also be carried out.
11. The landowner will contract for the construction of terraces, waterways, tile outlets and any other necessary construction.
12. Terraces, waterways and tile outlets must be maintained for 10 years or as long as the current owner has control of the land, whichever is less.              

For assistance in applying, contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office.

Visit your local NRCS office for more information and to apply for this program

Buffer strips are a common sense approach to land conservation. Funds are available through the Nebraska Buffer Strip program. This program pays landowners for using filter strips (narrow strips of grass) or riparian forest buffer strips (strips containing trees and grass). 

The Nebraska Buffer Strip Program is administered from fees assessed on registered pesticides. Cropland adjacent to perennial and seasonal streams, ponds, and wetlands can be enrolled in buffer strips, which are designed to filter agrichemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides. Two kinds of buffer strips are eligible:

Filter strips, which are narrow strips of grass

Riparian forest buffer strips containing trees and grass

The minimum widths are 20 and 55 feet, respectively; the maximum widths are 120 and 180 feet, respectively. The program is designed to be used in conjunction with the USDA Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), or other programs. However, it can be used by itself as well.  Rental rates are calculated as follows: 

• For irrigated cropland where CRP, CREP, or other governmentally-funded programs are also used, rental rates are $250 per acre minus payments from the other programs.
• For irrigated cropland where CRP, CREP, or other governmentally-funded programs are not used, the rental rate is $225 per acre minus any other program payments.
• For non-irrigated cropland enrolled in CRP, CREP or other governmentally-funded programs, the rental rate is equal to 20% of the average CRP soil rental rate.
• For non-irrigated cropland without CRP, CREP, or other governmentally-funded programs, the rental rate per acre is equal to 120% of the average CRP soil rental rate plus $5 per acre, minus the payment rate from any other programs.
• In no case may payments from all programs exceed $250 per acre.

Interested landowners should contact their local Natural Resources District or USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service office to begin the application process.

Farmers planning to chemigate during the current growing season must renew chemigation permits by June 1st to meet state deadline requirements.

Chemigation is the application of any chemical, fertilizer or pesticide through an irrigation system.  To legally chemigate in Nebraska, an operator must be certified to apply chemicals and obtain a chemigation permit from their local NRD.

An irrigation system that has not been renewed prior to the June 1st deadline cannot apply chemicals through the system until a new permit is obtained.  Chemigation renewal permits cost $20.  New chemigation permits cost $50, and the applicant cannot use the system until it passes a mandatory inspection.

Applicants must have a certified applicator's signature on the application form.  In order to be certified, a person must complete a chemigation safety course and pass an exam once every four years.

If chemigating is necessary, on short notice, emergency permits can be obtained at a cost of $250.  Please allow 2 working days for emergency permits.

More information about the Chemigation Equipment Cost Share Program

Visit your local NRCS office for more information and to apply for this program

Cover crops prevent erosion, improve soil's physical and biological properties, supply nutrients, suppress weeds, improve the availability of soil water, and break pest cycles along with various other benefits. Cover crops can also potentially be grazed. 

Only land that is currently in a continuous no-till cropping system is eligible. There are three Cover Crop Seed Mix Alternatives: 

1. Single Species - $25/acre
2. 3-way Cocktail Mix - $35/acre
3. Deluxe Cocktail Mix - $55/acre

One-year contracts may include up to 160 acres. Participants may apply for 2nd and 3rd year of NRD funding, but will be encouraged to switch to EQIP. Annual limit of $20,000 for the practice (outside of the Groundwater Quality Management Areas). Producer will terminate the cover crop each spring prior to planting the new crop without using inversion tillage. 

View Cover Crop Guidelines

View Frost Terminated Cover Crop Pilot Project Guidelines

Phase 2 and 3 Areas under a planned grazing system is $100/acre for 5 years and a limit of 160 acres. Annual program cap is $25,000.

Deep Soil Sampling Cost Share Instructions

One-time use, 50% cost share for Reverse Osmosis (or other LENRD approved water treatment system) for registered domestic wells testing greater than 5 ppm for nitrate, or agricultural herbicides/glyphosates exceeding EPA recommendations. maximum payment of $800. Applicants must be approved before purchasing equipment. Refer to Domestic Well Treatment System Packet for further details.

Flow Meter with Telemetry Instructions

50% cost share on deep soil sampling, corn stalk nitrate sampling. The District will utilize the average cost list for deep soil sampling and pay on a per sample basis. The District will limit cost-share to one deep soil sample per every 25 acres.

Lease Option

A financial incentive for the utilization of soil moisture sensors on irrigated fields for more efficient irrigation use and improved nutrient management. 

Eligible Participants: Producers with irrigated fields that have certified irrigated acres in the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District. Irrigated fields that are currently using, or have previously used, soil moisture sensors are not eligible for this program. 

Eligible Components: Lease of soil moisture sensor equipment and subscription of service. 

Requirements: 

1. Producer agrees to utilize sensors at the locations funded by this program for a minimum of 3 years.
2. Producer agrees to provide shared data rights to the Lower Elkhorn NRD for locations where funding is provided for a minimum of 3 years.
3. Producer attends 1 pre irrigation season educational meeting designed to acquaint the producer with the soil moisture sensor equipment, and to educate them on the interpretation and application of the data. This meeting will be organized by the dealer/service provider. This educational meeting must be preapproved by the District prior to approving the application.
4. Producer attends 1 end of season recap meeting. This meeting will be organized by the dealer/service provider. This recap meeting must be preapproved by the District prior to approving the application. 

Cost Share: Full cost of first year lease/subscription up to $800. There will be a maximum, one-time payment of $2,500 per producer

Purchase Option

Purpose: to provide a financial incentive for the utilization of soil moisture sensors on irrigated fields for more efficient irrigation use.

Eligible Participants: Producers with irrigated fields. Fields that are currently or have previously used soil moistures sensors are not elibigle for this program.

Eligible Components: Purchase of soil moisture sensor equipment. 

View Soil Moisture Sensor Incentive Purchase Program Packet

Visit your local NRCS office for more information and to apply for this program

1. $300/acre (one time payment) for grassed waterways or field borders in combination with terraces, contour grass strips or continuous no-till
2. $400/acre (one time payment) for both grassed waterways and field borders in combination with terraces, contour grass strips or continuous no-till

Waterways and field borders in 1 and 2 will be standard design widths up to 100' wide

View Well Sealing Packet and Instructions

The LENRD offers numerous services as a part of our Conservation Tree Program. You can order hand-plant seedlings, the Small Acreage Package and the Wildlife Package, and weed barrier mats by returning a printed order form with your payment. Orders are typically open from mid-November through mid-February. Call our office for more information at 402-371-7313 or visit your local NRCS office.

Learn more about the Conservation Tree Program