Nebraska Nitrogen Use Efficiency Program Launched for 2026 Growing Season

$1 Million Available for Producers who Demonstrate Nitrogen Efficiency

Agriculture producers have a new opportunity this growing season to earn extra income while cutting fertilizer costs.

The Nebraska Corn Board has committed $1 million to a new Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) Program, offering payments to farmers who have demonstrated nitrogen efficiency during the 2026 growing season.

“The Nebraska Nitrogen Use Efficiency Program was funded to encourage farmers to reduce nitrogen inputs and achieve greater efficiencies in their operations,” said Brandon Hunnicutt, chairman of NCB and farmer from Giltner, Nebraska. “As we invest in initiatives that strengthen our role as responsible stewards of the land, we are also focused on improving profitability amid volatile market conditions. Every dollar and every acre counts, and this program equips farmers with practical opportunities to optimize their practices for better economic and environmental outcomes.”

The program, administered by the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy and Environment (DWEE) in partnership with Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts (NRDs), will pay $15 per acre for up to 160 acres per application, for producers who achieve a nitrogen use efficiency score of 1.0 or less.

NUE measures how effectively a crop converts available nitrogen (N) into harvest grain yield. It accounts for applied nitrogen (commercial fertilizer) and credited nitrogen, which includes nitrogen from soil, water, cover crops, and manure applications.

Using an NUE metric that incorporates credited nitrogen helps producers evaluate how efficiently they are using all of the nitrogen sources within the system. These insights help guide smarter nutrient management decisions that strengthen farm profitability while protecting water quality.

Participant Requirements

• Collect soil samples prior to 2026 planting season or the fall of 2025 to determine residual soil nitrate and organic matter.
• Collect a water sample during irrigation season to determine residual water nitrate (if applicable).
• Collect a manure sample prior to planting to determine manure nitrogen (if applicable)

How to Apply

Producers can apply by contacting their local Natural Resources District (NRD) for more information and assistance with the application process. Find your NRD at www.nrdnet.org. The deadline to apply for the program is May 15, 2026.

The NUE Program follows the Corn Board’s previous $1 million investment in the Nitrogen Reduction Incentive Act (NiRIA) program in October 2025. NiRIA provides financial incentives for producers to cut commercial fertilizer applications by either 40 pounds/acre, or by 15% of their baseline rate. The NiRIA application period for the 2026 growing season closed Dec. 15, 2025.