Help available to farmers for nutrient management plans

The Ashland County Land and Water Conservation Department has staff to help farmers develop and maintain a nutrient management plan one-on-one.

A NMP is a record of manure and fertilizer applications that is compared to soil sample results and crop rotations to develop a plan to best utilize the nutrients farmers already have and need. This saves farmers money and protects the soil from erosion and water from runoff. Farmers who create new NMP’s are eligible to receive $40/acre plus additional incentive payments for 2024.

The Ashland County Land and Water Conservation Department rents out a Truax No-till drill to farmers in the four-county region. The no-till drill is designed to protect soil and water resources, and may reduce costs while increasing efficiency when compared to conventional tillage and seeding.

The drill can handle a variety of seeds including small grains, clover, alfalfa, soybeans, forage grasses, and native prairie species. It has three seed boxes (one small, one native seed, and one large seed). The drill requires a 50hp tractor or larger. The rental cost is $50 for Ashland and Iron County and $75 for Douglas and Bayfield County, plus $8.50 per acre. Users must obtain training on the use, transport, and maintenance of the machine from the equipment manager as well as provide proof of liability insurance.

For questions about Nutrient Management or to rent the no-till, call Matt Bolen at 715-681-0659 or email at Matt.Bolen@AshlandCountyWI.GOV.

Information provided by the Ashland County Land and Water Conservation Department.