A research project on Wayne County farmer Fred Blessing’s corn and soybean operation is marking its 10th year of providing farmers with real-world information on fertilizer efficiency and nutrient management.
The Nutrient Loss Inhibitor Demonstration project is a partnership involving Blessing, the Wayne County Farm Bureau, Wabash Valley Service Co. and Illinois Farm Bureau. Researchers evaluate nutrient enhancers, inhibitors and other nutrients to determine which practices can improve yields while providing farmers the best economic return.
Blessing said results from the project have already changed practices on his farm. Research encouraged him to use cover crops to capture excess nitrogen remaining after lower-yielding seasons, while trials showing a positive corn yield response to sulfur led him to begin applying sulfur to every acre of corn.
The Wayne County site is also part of a broader statewide research effort examining corn’s response to nitrogen and helping refine Maximum Return to Nitrogen recommendations. Similar trials are conducted at about 10 to 15 locations across Southern Illinois, allowing researchers to compare results under different soil, weather and planting conditions.
The Blessing farm hosted its annual NLID Field Day August 20thy as part of Illinois Farm Bureau’s Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy Field Day series. Presentations covered nutrient research, weather forecasting, water quality and challenges farmers have faced during the 2026 growing season.
Wayne County Farm Bureau Manager Doug Gellerman said farmers have adjusted their fertilizer strategies based on information gathered through the local project.
Final results from the 2026 research plot will be released following harvest.