CONSERVATION COMPASS > FUNDING

Practical Farmers of Iowa N Rate Risk Protection Program

Modified On
April 6, 2026

This program is aimed at helping farmers find their optimal and economical rate at which they can save money and increase farm resiliency. PFI offers a per-acre payment to reduce N, plus an additional payment if yields drop. But the goal is to maintain yields at lower N rate.

Info at a Glance

Lead Organization

Practical Farmers of Iowa

Funding Source

Private (carbon)

Agronomist Support?

Yes

Eligibility:

Must be conventional corn acres // Must be willing to reduce nitrogen application by at least 20 lbs per acre // Must already be insured with multi-peril crop insurance revenue or yield protection policy

Location

Statewide

Contract Length

1 year

Deadline

Sign-up Process

You’ll talk to a PFI agronomist about your nitrogen plan, sign an agreement, and then execute the plan. The program asks you to attend a soil health learning event, and confirm your results by Dec 10, 2026. Payments are processed by April 30, 2027

Pros and Cons

  • Lower your N rates to lower your input costs while reducing risk
  • Get agronomist support from PFI
  • Not for farmers who don't want to lower N rates
  • Can only be used on corn acres currently


Rates:

$5 per enrolled acre with reduced N rates
If your yield drops below 95% of your 10-yr avg, receive an additional $30/acre

Helpful Links

Program Website

CONTACT IAWA Find Conservation Agronomist Conservation Compass home

Stacks well with:

Always check with program rep before signing up for multiple programs. Learn more about stacking here.

Iowa Nitrogen Initiative Trials

This is a program that provides free on-farm nitrogen trials so that farmers can better understand their fields and optimum nitrogen rates. With technical support, you’ll test 4 or 5 rates on 5-10 acres. This also contributes to a statewide tool called N-FACT.


Learn more

Water Quality Initiative (WQI)

This state incentive is popular because it’s easy to sign up for and accepts both new and continuing acres; but sign up early. Funds are first come, first served.


Learn more

Practical Farmers of Iowa Cover Crop Program

PFI offers a straightforward program that many farmers come back to year after year for its ease of use and easy stackability with public funding.


Learn more

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Search our Agronomist Directory.

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