FARGO – The North Dakota On-Farm Research Network, in partnership with the University of Illinois Data-Intensive Farm Management program, is inviting farmers to participate in on-farm research during the 2025 growing season.

The research will focus on variable-rate nitrogen application in corn and hard red spring wheat within soil health management systems. Fields no-tilled for 10 years or longer qualify as soil health management systems.

This research serves as a pilot project for the ND-OFRN, said Rob Proulx, NDSU Extension agriculture technology systems specialist and ND-OFRN coordinator.

“There has been interest in on-farm research within NDSU Extension and among our stakeholders for many years,” says Proulx. “With this pilot project, the ND-OFRN team aims to learn valuable lessons we can use to grow and expand the ND-OFRN.”

Participating farmers will receive a financial incentive for implementing the trial and be fully reimbursed for treatments that lose money, such as yields lost due to zero N rates, making this a risk-free opportunity. The research will be implemented entirely with precision agriculture equipment, and each farmer will receive an individualized report at the end of the season.

Requirements for participation are access to variable-rate fertilizer application equipment, a grain combine with both a calibrated yield monitor and yield mapping capability and at least one field in a no-till system for the past 10 years or longer.

For more information, contact Proulx at 231-5389 or rob.proulx@ndsu.edu.