Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association, alongside several agricultural partners, today announced preliminary findings from the first-ever Illinois Ag Retail Survey, setting a new baseline to track nutrient management practice adoption and quantify nutrient loss reduction achieved at retail locations and on farms across the state.
The 2022 Illinois Ag Retail Survey is designed to collect accurate, science-driven data to track nitrogen and phosphorous fertilizer use and application methods throughout the state as part of industry efforts to meet state Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy goals.
“With Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy goals for 2025 quickly approaching, pressure from Illinois legislature, regulatory agencies and stakeholders to document progress within the state is mounting,” said Shane Gray, Illinois Corn Marketing Board member. “These survey results show farmers are implementing conservation practices and wanting to share their story about how voluntary agricultural framework is vital for meeting state goals.”
The survey was supported by the Illinois Beef Association, Illinois Certified Crop Advisers, Illinois Corn Growers, Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association, Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Pork Producers Association, and the Illinois Soybean Association, with funding from the Illinois Council on Best Management Practices.
“The Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy emphasizes the importance of partnerships in meeting its goals,” said Richard Guebert Jr., Illinois Farm Bureau president. “The ag retail survey is a great example of multiple groups working together to contribute to improving water quality.”
Iowa State University Center for Survey Statistics and Methodology designed the survey, dividing Illinois into nine regions or crop reporting districts with a goal of surveying 500 fields. The survey was modeled after the Iowa Ag Retail Survey.
Ag retail businesses were randomly selected to acquire anonymous data related to agricultural practices from grower/customer records for the 2022 crop year. Data was collected in early 2023.
“Illinois Ag Retail Survey leaders are continuing to dig into the data provided by the survey,” said Kevin “KJ” Johnson, Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association president. “This baseline of data will provide them with opportunities to identify patterns and trends of best management practices usage over time, as well as opportunities to develop new programs and initiatives to tackle key areas identified by the survey.”
From a total population of 535 ag retail locations across Illinois, 150 were randomly selected to participate in providing 10 randomly selected individual field records. Of the customer fields selected for additional collection, only 13 customers opted out. In total, 917 agricultural fields were surveyed. High participation rates ensured statistically sound findings, in addition to showing that farmers and ag retailers were aware and engaged in the effort.
Additional highlights include:
- Much of the data provided in the initial reports is in-line with estimates from state and federal agencies, as well as other states.
- Of the fields surveyed, tillage generally occurs ahead of corn more frequently than soybean as no-till corn was 24% and no-till soybean was 44%.
- Cover crops were found on approximately 9% of fields in fall 2021.
- Anhydrous ammonia application in the fall was 49% with 97% use of a nitrification inhibitor.
Read More: Survey sets baseline for farmers to track nutrient management