The Illinois office of the National Ag Statistics Service released a survey Monday on farmer progress and attitudes toward the Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy. The survey of Illinois farmers and landowners looked at progress since the base year of 2011, through the end of the 2015 crop year on improving management practices to reduce loss of nitrogen and phosphorus from fields. Mark Schleusener, Illinois State Statistician with NASS says the survey shows real progress with nitrogen management on corn.



The survey will help the Illinois Nutrient Research and Education Council, or N-REC , target future education and outreach information. Julie Armstrong, exec director of N-REC says the progress made so far will help convince the EPA and other regulatory bodies that Illinois farmers can reduce runoff into our waterways voluntarily, avoiding future mandatory regulations.