A University of Illinois assistant professor is hoping to use research to learn about how nitrogen and phosphorus are being lost from farms in runoff.  The project was inspired by state-level environmental goals along with the aim of improving financial outcomes for farmers.

Dr. Andrew Margenot, an associate professor in the Department of Crop Sciences at the University of Illinois, is conducting the research.  He says his work looks at hundreds of farms all across the state.

Dr. Margenot adds that the financial implications come in large part from the percentage of the yield the farmer is able to actually sell. 

Tile drainage systems help collect the liquids, which the researchers then use to make specific discoveries about the contents and draw conclusions. 

Researchers in some instances go out to collect samples and take measurements, but there is also technology that records data automatically on an ongoing basis. 

More information on the Dudley Smith Farm Field Day and the University of Illinois Extension more broadly is available at extension.illinois.edu.

Dr. Andrew Margenot appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show as part of our live coverage of the 2026 Dudley Smith Farm Field Day.