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Proposal would pay farmers to reduce synthetic nitrogen by substituting biological products
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Summary
House File 2683 would create an incentive program paying farmers a per-acre bonus for reducing synthetic nitrogen use (15–30% reduction) by adopting biological nitrogen products; proponents cited Nebraska’s pilot and presented environmental-nitrate reductions tied to a $1.5 million funding request at $5/acre.
Chair Anderson presented House File 2683, a proposal that would create incentives for farmers who reduce synthetic commercial nitrogen use for nitrogen-dependent crops (notably corn) by adopting biological nitrogen sources. The proposed funding level discussed in committee was $1,500,000 with an incentive rate of $5 per acre.
Commercial agronomist Cameron Henning testified for Pivot Bio, saying biological products “spoon feed” plants and do not leach or volatilize like synthetic nitrogen, reducing nitrate movement to water and nitrous-oxide emissions to air. Henning estimated that, at $5 per acre and $1.5 million fully funded, the program could avoid more than 8,000,000 pounds of synthetic nitrogen application. Using a 24% loss factor, he estimated that translates to over 2,000,000 pounds of potential contaminants avoided.
Henning cited Nebraska’s similar program, which passed unanimously and drew more applicants than funding in its first year; Nebraska officials were looking to expand funding. Committee members asked whether peer-reviewed research supports the efficacy claims; Chair Anderson said some research exists (citing Purdue and University of Illinois work) and that anecdotal farmer reports are positive, but he acknowledged more data review is needed.
Representative Lee asked whether payments are one-time or recurring; Chair Anderson said the proposal covers a single crop year initially and would require additional appropriations to continue in subsequent years. Representative Lawrence and others emphasized the bill is not product-specific and can apply to multiple biologic options.
The bill was laid over for additional consideration.
