Dakota County, the Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Minnesota Agricultural Water Resource Center will be offering farmers who irrigate their crops the opportunity to test their irrigation water for nitrogen. Testing is at no cost.

Participants will receive their results the same day. They will learn how to credit nitrate in their irrigation water for next year’s nutrient management plans.

Participants will also walk through the Irrigation Management Assistant (IMA) Tool with a SWCD staff member. The tool helps with irrigation scheduling.

Private well owners can also have their drinking water tested for nitrate. They will receive their results and treatment recommendations, if applicable.

Locations to have your samples tested

Those who are interested in participating can collect their samples and bring them to any of the four upcoming drop-in sessions:

Wednesday, Aug. 7, noon–4 p.m.
Vermillion City Hall, 105 Main St. E., Vermillion

Thursday, Aug. 15, noon–4 p.m.
Dakota County Extension Office, 4100 220th St. W., Farmington

Tuesday, Aug. 20,  noon–4 p.m.
Marshan Town Hall, 12497 205th St. E., Hastings

Tuesday, Aug. 27, noon–4 p.m.
Hampton City Hall, 5265 238th St. E., Hampton​

Sampling instructions for irrigators

Samples may be taken the day of analysis or ahead of time. Samples taken ahead of time must be frozen until attending a session to prevent samples from degrading.

Participants may bring in several frozen samples collected over a period of several days to get a more representative result.

Samples can be collected directly from irrigators or by installing a boiler drain to a pivot point or the well itself.

If sampling directly from irrigators:

• Allow irrigators to pump water for at least 15 minutes before sampling.
• Fill a clean 5-gallon bucket, or similar container. Mix before collecting the sample.
• Collect the test sample in a small Ziploc bag or a clean bottle or container. Only about 1 ounce of water is needed for testing.

Test results

Nitrogen results are confidential. Participants are not required to take any action after testing. They will receive their results and information on nitrogen crediting.