Highlights

• Applications now open for Nebraska’s 2026 Nitrogen Reduction Incentive Act (NiRIA) Program.

• Financial incentives are available for producers who reduce commercial nitrogen fertilizer use by the lesser of 40 pounds per acre or 15% of their baseline rate.

• Applications due to local NRDs by Nov. 15, 2025, with approvals announced by Dec. 15, 2025.

• Payments range from $10 to $15 per acre, depending on your priority area (A, B or C).

• UNL compiled available resources for nitrogen management, link provided in this article. 

Program Overview

Established under LB 1368 (2024), NiRIA is a state program that offers payments to producers who reduce their nitrogen fertilizer application rates by the lesser of 40 pounds per acre or 15% of their baseline rate. The program is available to corn, sugarbeet, wheat and potato producers statewide, with total funding for 2026 capped at $1 million. 

Producers who successfully participated in the 2025 program may enroll again if reductions are on different fields. 

Administration and funding of NiRIA are done through the partnerships of the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment (DWEE), local Natural Resources Districts (NRDs), and the Nebraska Corn Board.

List of Practices Suggested by NiRIA Program

Each participant will need to identify the practice(s)/product(s) they plan to implement to achieve the 40 lb N or 15% reduction of N per acre. Practices/products are subjected to individual NRD approval: 

• Reduction in nitrogen application.
• Implementation of in-season sensor-based technology.
• Implementation of a nitrogen stabilizer.
• Implementation of a biological product.
• Implementation of other technology utilizing nitrogen timing and/or rate.

Incentive Payments

Payments vary by priority area:

• Priority A Areas: $15 per acre (wellhead protection and NRD phase II or higher areas).
• Priority B Areas: $12 per acre (certified irrigated acres outside Priority A).
• Priority C Areas: $10 per acre (all other acres, including dryland).

How to Apply

File one application per field (limit 160 acres per application). Establish a nitrogen baseline using NRD or producer crop reports, prior phase reports, or soil sampling, depending on your Priority Area. Identify the practice(s) or product(s) you will use to achieve reductions. Submit your application to your local NRD by Nov. 15, 2025,  or by utilizing the online submission form. 

Documentation and Payment

To receive payment, participants must provide documentation demonstrating the nitrogen reduction by Nov. 15 of the following program year. If documentation is not submitted, incentive payments are forfeited.

Important Links

• NiRIA program information, application form, and NRD’s point of contact can be found on the NDEE website.
• The University of Nebraska provided a list of current resources with N recommendations guidelines. Access a compilation of UNL nitrogen management articles on CropWatch.

Contact Your Local NRD

Each NRD manages application approval and prioritization based on available funding. Contact your local NRD for assistance in determining your priority area and for submission details. 

Information from this article comes from the NiRIA Program website and guidance documents