In 2022, fertilizer prices increased nearly three-fold compared to 2021.  The increase in prices brought attention to the need to use both fertilizers and animal manures effectively to grow crops.  In Adair County, a large amount of animal manure is produced annually from beef, dairy, and poultry operations.  

During the winter of 2022, multiple educational programs were held addressing grain producers, dairy and beef cattle producers, and poultry producers.  Strategies were shared on how to best manage animal manures effectively for fertilizer.  A specific technology addressed was a tool called Nitra-Check which allows for quick soil nitrate analysis.  The technology was purchased by the Adair County Cooperative Extension Service to begin offering testing services of soil nitrates following animal manure applications.

Samples representing approximately  200 acres where submitted by farmers in the spring of 2022 for analysis.  Results revealed that one fourth of the fields tested did not need any additional nitrogen fertilizer applied, half of the fields needed only a half rate, and only a fourth needed a full rate applied.  In total, $20,000 was saved by farmers by reducing their nitrogen fertilizer rates as a results of the test results.  Expanded testing is planned for the 2023 growing season.