PUBLIC NOTICE: MDA Publishes BMP list for City of Adrian Drinking Water Supply Management Area (DWSMA) m The Groundwater Protection Rule (GPR) was developed to minimize potential fertilizer sources of nitrate pollution to Minnesota's groundwater. The GPR also provides a blueprint to work with local farmers and ag stakehold- Highly Vulnerable Portion of the Adrian Drinking Water Supply Management Area (DWSMA) DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ers to prevent public water supply wells from exceeding the drinking water standard for nitrate. On January 15, 2020, the city of Adrian was designated a Level 2 Drinking Water Supply Management Area (DWSMA), under the Groundwater Protection Rule, due to high levels of nitratenitrogen in its public wells. In consultation with a local advisory team, which includes the farmers operating cropland within the highly vulnerable portion of the Adrian DWSMA and city of Adrian leadership, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) developed the following list of nitrogen best management practices (BMPs) to protect groundwater. A detailed list of these BMPs and associated definitions is available at https://www.mda.state.mn.us/adrian-dwsma. Apply nitrogen to corn in a corn-soybean rotation within or below the 0.075 ratio range in the University of Minnesota's nitrogen fertilizer application guidelines for dryland corn. Currently this is 165 lbs. nitrogen/acre for corn following soybeans. Apply nitrogen to corn in a corn-corn rotation at or below the 0.075 MRTN in the University of Minnesota's nitrogen fertilizer application guidelines for dryland corn. Currently this is 190 lbs. nitrogen/acre for corn following corn. Account for all nitrogen sources when calculating nitrogen rate. Take appropriate credits for legume and manure used in the rotation. Split applications of nitrogen fertilizer on coarse textured soils. For all other crops grown within the DWSMA, nitrogen rates must follow the current University of Minnesota guidance applicable to that crop. The BMP list applies to the highly vulnerable area of the DWSMA. The MDA will conduct an evaluation to determine whether these practices have been implemented on at least 80% of the cropland, excluding soybeans. The evaluation will occur no sooner than three growing seasons after the BMPs are published. This evaluation of BMP adoption could occur as soon as the fall of 2026 in the Adrian DWSMA. The list of practices above are being published in accordance with Minnesota Rule Part 1573.0040 Subpart 4B. In addition to this notice, letters were sent to the farmers and landowners. Anyone operating the land needs to follow the BMPs whether they are a landowner, renter, or agronomist. The MDA will continue to work with local farmers and other partners to raise awareness about the importance of these practices, providing techni- cal assistance and identifying potential funding to support management changes. a. For more information, please visit https://www.mda.state.mn.us/adrian-dwsma. PUBLIC NOTICE : MDA Publishes BMP list for City of Adrian Drinking Water Supply Management Area ( DWSMA ) m The Groundwater Protection Rule ( GPR ) was developed to minimize potential fertilizer sources of nitrate pollution to Minnesota's groundwater . The GPR also provides a blueprint to work with local farmers and ag stakehold Highly Vulnerable Portion of the Adrian Drinking Water Supply Management Area ( DWSMA ) DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ers to prevent public water supply wells from exceeding the drinking water standard for nitrate . On January 15 , 2020 , the city of Adrian was designated a Level 2 Drinking Water Supply Management Area ( DWSMA ) , under the Groundwater Protection Rule , due to high levels of nitratenitrogen in its public wells . In consultation with a local advisory team , which includes the farmers operating cropland within the highly vulnerable portion of the Adrian DWSMA and city of Adrian leadership , the Minnesota Department of Agriculture ( MDA ) developed the following list of nitrogen best management practices ( BMPs ) to protect groundwater . A detailed list of these BMPs and associated definitions is available at https://www.mda.state.mn.us/adrian-dwsma . Apply nitrogen to corn in a corn - soybean rotation within or below the 0.075 ratio range in the University of Minnesota's nitrogen fertilizer application guidelines for dryland corn . Currently this is 165 lbs . nitrogen / acre for corn following soybeans . Apply nitrogen to corn in a corn - corn rotation at or below the 0.075 MRTN in the University of Minnesota's nitrogen fertilizer application guidelines for dryland corn . Currently this is 190 lbs . nitrogen / acre for corn following corn . Account for all nitrogen sources when calculating nitrogen rate . Take appropriate credits for legume and manure used in the rotation . Split applications of nitrogen fertilizer on coarse textured soils . For all other crops grown within the DWSMA , nitrogen rates must follow the current University of Minnesota guidance applicable to that crop . The BMP list applies to the highly vulnerable area of the DWSMA . The MDA will conduct an evaluation to determine whether these practices have been implemented on at least 80 % of the cropland , excluding soybeans . The evaluation will occur no sooner than three growing seasons after the BMPs are published . This evaluation of BMP adoption could occur as soon as the fall of 2026 in the Adrian DWSMA . The list of practices above are being published in accordance with Minnesota Rule Part 1573.0040 Subpart 4B . In addition to this notice , letters were sent to the farmers and landowners . Anyone operating the land needs to follow the BMPs whether they are a landowner , renter , or agronomist . The MDA will continue to work with local farmers and other partners to raise awareness about the importance of these practices , providing techni cal assistance and identifying potential funding to support management changes . a . For more information , please visit https://www.mda.state.mn.us/adrian-dwsma .