DECATUR, Ill. — The results of the first Illinois Agriculture Retail Survey were released during a press conference on the opening day of the 2023 Farm Progress Show. According to the Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB), high survey participation rates show that farmers and ag retailers were aware and engaged in the effort, with an increasing number of producers embracing no-till, strip till and split nitrogen applications. 

Survey data will allow the industry to evaluate conditions on the ground across the state moving toward the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy (NLRS) goals of improved nutrient management and reduced nutrient loss, noted Kevin “KJ” Johnson, executive director of the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association. 

“The survey results are just a snapshot of a long-term process. It’s the start of a baseline of data that will identify best management practice trends, like was established by Iowa State university beginning in 2015 with their first ag retail survey,” said Johnson.

Modeled after the Iowa Ag Retail Survey, the Illinois survey divides the state into nine regions or crop reporting districts (CRD). The final sample size included 917 fields.

The survey found that in 2022, 24 percent of corn and 44 percent of soybeans were no-till. Cover crops were found on approximately nine percent of fields in fall 2021, and while 49 percent of respondents reported fall application of anhydrous, 97 percent of the producers reported use of an inhibitor to reduce the potential for leeching.

“The survey shows that most farmers are not putting 100 percent of their ammonia on in the fall. What we are seeing is that they are putting about a half-rate on and then coming back,” Johnson said, expounding on the survey data. “We’re seeing that more farmers are using cover crops. Would we like to see more farmers using cover crops? Absolutely.”

Johnson said he was most encouraged by 97 percent of survey participants indicating their use of nitrogen inhibitors with ammonia applications. “About 50 percent are using them in the spring. We’d like to see that percentage go higher, especially with those early season applications of ammonia. But we are seeing it,” he said.

The survey also indicated that 91 percent of participants conducted soil testing on their farms on a regular basis, primarily to determine soil P values. “They’re looking to those test results to see where they need extra or less tonnage or lime moving forward,” said Johnson.

Julie Hewitt, executive director of the Illinois Nutrient Research and Education Council (NREC), said the survey will help “get the message out” about farmers’ resource stewardship when it comes to the use of fertilizers and inhibitors. 

“One of the really big things is how many of our producers are using nitrogen in that MRTN, or maximum-return-to-nitrogen, zone. They may not call it MRTN, but now (farmers) know when they need less nitrogen. Our corn is more efficient, and we can better understand what is happening. That’s a big part of starting to see some results,” Hewitt said. 

Shane Gray, Illinois Corn Marketing Board district ten director, said he was excited about what the survey research shows. “I think farmers, both the newer generation and older generation, are excited about change. Any kind of information or news that we can use to better our farms and the communities we live in, we’re excited about that,” said Gray. 

Johnson said he is hoping for future funding to continue the retail survey. The survey is supported by the Council on Best Management Practices, which includes the IFB, Illinois Certified Crop Advisors and Illinois corn, beef, soybean and pork producers associations.