The Fertilizer Advisory Committee holds an annual meeting to review project proposals. The following projects have been funded in the past several years. For a full summary of funded projects, please email MAESadmin@montana.edu 

 

FY 2025
Investigators Project Title Funding Amount
Chengci Chen Fertility management for optimum yield and quality of soy and dry beans in eastern Montana 29,228.00
Michael Giroux Testing Dibutyldithiophosphate as a Seed Treatment to Boost Plant Growth without Increasing Fertilizer Use 52,900.00
Stephanie Ewing Research Analytical Chemist, Environmental Analytical Laboratory 35,000.00
Sue Mondal Examining the impact of physiological leaf spot in winter wheat and the role of chloride in reducing symptoms 24,990.00
Clain Jones Sulfur source and rate effects on yield and quality of wheat, pea, and canola 37,414.00
Perry Miller pH Remediation by Perennial Forages following 18 yr of N Management in Alternative Crop Rotations. 19,434.00
Perry Miller Winter canola seeding date and fertilizer application timing in Montana 53,236.00
Jamie Sherman Relationship between fertility and water management, production and quality of advanced spring forage, feed and malt barley lines 69,736.00
Hayes Goosey Assessing Sulfur Fertilization as a Means to Improve Statewide Forage Quality and Value by Reducing Nitrate Accumulations in Cereal Forages 33,636.00
Adam Sigler Quantifying Nitrogen Leaching in Irrigated Fields 37,944.25

FY 2024
Investigators Project Title Funding Amount
Chengci Chen Sugarbeet nutrient uptake and partitioning in relation to root yield and sucrose concentration – Year 2  27416
Stephanie Ewing  Research Analytical Chemist, Environmental Analytical Laboratory – Year 11  35000
Michael Giroux Testing Dibutyldithiophosphate as a Seed Treatment to Boost Plant Growth and Reduce Overall Fertilizer Use  67100
Hayes Goosey Assessing Sulfur Fertilization as a Means to Improve Statewide Forage Quality and Value by Reducing Nitrate Accumulations in Cereal Forages – Year 2  62693
Clain Jones Sulfur source and rate effects on yield and quality of wheat, pea, and canola – Year 2  36528
Peggy Lamb Is there a Legacy Effect of Deep Application Phosphorus in No-Till Systems? (Year 6 of 6, Crop Years2018 through 2023, 2 Trial Cycles)  24053
Perry Miller pH remediation by perennial forages following 18yr of N management in alternative crop rotations  26643
Perry Miller Winter canola seeding date and fertilizer application timing in Montana  35446
Manbir Rakkar Efficacy of liming products to remediate soil acidity and improved crop yields  17170
Jamie Sherman Relationship between fertility and water management, production and quality of advanced spring forage, feed and malt barley lines – year 2  52400
Adam Sigler Quantifying nitrate leaching  35958
Jessica Torrion Nitrogen requirement for sustained yield and optimal quality of cool-season perennial forages – Year 2  48862

 

FY 2023
Investigators Project Title Funding Amount

Clint Beiermann

 Winter Canola planting date and fertilizer application timing in Montana 23,500
Clint Beiermann Optimizing nitrogen inputs for varying plant populations and market classes of winter wheat 21,960
Chengci Chen Sugarbeet nutrient uptake and partitioning in relation to root yield and sucrose concentration 27,416
Stephanie Ewing  Research Analytical Chemist, Environmental Analytical Laboratory 30,000
Michael Giroux Identifying Vrn-3D Allelic Variation to Improve Plant Yield While Minimizing NitrogenApplication  57,330
Hayes Goosey Assessing Sulfur Fertilization as a Means to Improve Statewide Forage Quality and Value by Reducing Nitrate Accumulations in Cereal Forages  19,242
Clain Jones Sulfur source and rate effects on yield and quality of wheat, pea, and canola  22,386
Peggy Lamb Is there a Legacy Effect of Deep Application Phosphorus in No-Till Systems? (Year 5 of 6, Crop Years2018 through 2023, 2 Trial Cycles) 35,026
Peggy Lamb Nitrogen Fertility and Plant Population Optimization for Dryland Industrial Hemp Grain Production 45,475
Kent McVay Camelina grain and oil response to fertilizer nitrogen and sulfer application and the impact on soil microorganisms 47,000
Perry Miller Legacy Effects on Soil pH and Perennial Forage Productivity following 18 yr of NManagement in Alternative Crop Rotations 21,692
Manbir Rakkar Combatting soil acidification to avoid large economic losses to Montana Farmers 54,465
Jamie Sherman Relationship between fertility management, production and quality of advanced springforage, feed and malt barley lines  44,400
Jessica Torrion Nitrogen requirement for sustained yeild and optimal quality of cool-season perennial forages 48,117

 

FY 2022
Investigators Project Title Funding Amount

Stephanie Ewing; Koffman, Brookshire, Jones, Payne, Zabinski

 Research Analytical Chemist, Environmental Analytical Laboratory 30,000
Michael Giroux; Oiestad Examining the Role of Nitrogen in Wheat Growth and Yield in Response to Increased Starch Biosynthesis  56,991
Clain Jones; Miller, McPhee, Baber Enhancing nitrogen fixation in pea and lentil through breeding and management  18,250
Peggy Lamb; Bourgault, Jones Do we need phosphorus fertilizer at depth in no-till systems? 48,037
Bruce Maxwell; Hegedus, Broyles, Van Dyke, Bailey, Merja, Wood On-farm experiments to optimize site-specific application of nitrogen fertilizer rates to maximize producer profits 35,978
Perry Miller; Koeshall, Jones, Goosey, Ewing Long-term N management in alternative crop rotations 11,187
Jamie Sherman; McVay, Beiermann, Vetch Relationship between fertility management and malt quality advance spring barley lines 29,500
Jessica Torrion; Nafi P and K fertilization of dormant to semi-dormant alfalfa  31,972
Jessica Torrion; Nafi Determining optimal nitrogen fertilization of selected warm season grasses for yield and quality 41,548

 

FY 2021
Investigators Project Title Funding Amount
Lamb, Bourgault, Jones Is there a legacy effect of deep application phosphorous in no-till systems? 49,776
Chen, Sutradhar Fall and spring nitrogen applications with magnesium and zinc to improve sugar beet yield and sugar content 42,038
 Eberly, Jones, Carr, Fordyce Improving nitrogen management in Montana dryland soils by determining the contribution of microbial mineralization to nitrogen availability  17,400
Jones, Zabinski, Miller A long-term assessment of nitrogen fertilizer effects on soil quality acorss cropping systems 32,920
Ewing, Brookshire, Klassen, Dobeck, Jones, Payn, et al   Research Analytical Chemist, Environmental Analytical Laboratory 30,000 
Giroux, Oiestad   Examining the Role of Nitrogen in Wheat Growth and Yield in Response to Increased Starch Biosynthesis  55,512 
Jones, Miller, McPhee, Baber Enhancing nitrogen fixation in pea and lentil through breeding and management 15,440
Maxwell, Silverman, Broyles, Merja, Van Dyke, Wood On-farm experiments to optimizing site-specific application of nitrogen fertilizer rates to maximize producer profits 73,711
Miller, Jones, Bekkerman, Ewing, Larson    Long-term N management in alternative crop rotations 34,814
Sherman, McVay     Relationship between fertility management and malt quality in low protein barley 24,000 
Torrion, Lamb, Shine P and K fertilization of dormant to semi-dormant alfalfa 50,630

  

2019
Investigators
Project Title
Funding Amount
Bourgault, Lamb, Jones
Do we Need Phosphorus Fertilizer at Depth in No-Till Systems?
49,280
Chen, Nilahyane
Enhancing water and nitrogen use efficiency in sugarbeet under no-till
37,356
 Eberly, Jones, Carr, Fordyce
Improving nitrogen management in Montana dryland soils by determining the contribution of microbial mineralization to nitrogen availability 
22,509 
Engel, Jones, Carr, Lane, Powell
 Understanding acidification and management of Montana soils
54,100 
Ewing, Brookshire, Klassen, Dobeck, Jones, Payn, et al 
 Research Analytical Chemist, Environmental Analytical Laboratory
30,000 
Giroux, Oiestad 
 Examining the Role of Nitrogen in Wheat Growth and Yield in Response to Increased Starch Biosynthesis 
51,708 
Meccage, Gardhouse
Impact of Sulfur fertilization rate and timing on forage quality, yield, and persistence in cool-season perennial grass stands
34,764 
Maxwell, Silverman, Broyles, Merja, Van Dyke, Wood
On-farm experiments to optimizing site-specific application of nitrogen fertilizer rates to maximize producer profits
55,283 
Miller, Jones, Bekkerman, Ewing, Larson  
 Long-term N management in alternative crop rotations
21,651
Miller, Jones, Zabinski, Bourgault, et al
 Advancing cover crop knowledge in Montana: Soil fertility implications
28,466
Sherman, McVay    
Relationship between fertility management and malt quality in low protein barley
20,000 
Torrion, Meccage, Bourgault
P and K fertilization of dormant to semi-dormant alfalfa
53,660

  

 

2018
Investigators
Project Title
Funding Amount
Bourgault, Lamb, Jones
Do we Need Phosphorus Fertilizer at Depth in No-Till Systems?
37,690
Budak, Zitkovich, Alptekin, Biyiklioglu, et al
MicroCereal Micronutrient deficiencies and toxicities in wheat in Montana
45,000 
Burgess, Dyer A
Chloride Deficiency and Salt Tolerance of Wheat and Pulse Cultivars
19,825 
Chen, Nilahyane
Enhancing water and nitrogen use efficiency in sugarbeet under no-till
37,356 
 Eberly, Jones, Carr, Fordyce
Improving nitrogen management in Montana dryland soils by determining the contribution of microbial mineralization to nitrogen availability 
30,000 
Engel, Jones, Carr, Lane, Powell
 Understanding acidification and management of Montana soils
30,000 
Ewing, Brookshire, Klassen, Dobeck, Jones, Payn, et al 
 Research Analytical Chemist, Environmental Analytical Laboratory
30,000 
Giroux, Oiestad 
 Examining the Role of Nitrogen in Wheat Growth and Yield in Response to Increased Starch Biosynthesis 
34,000 
Glunk-Meccage, Peterson
Impact of Sulfur fertilization rate and timing on forage quality, yield, and persistence in cool-season perennial grass stands
35,208 
Maxwell, Silverman, Broyles, Merja, Van Dyke, Wood
 On-farm experiments to optimizing site-specific application of nitrogen fertilizer rates to maximize producer profits
30,000 
Miller, Jones, Bekkerman, Ewing, Larson  
 Long-term N management in alternative crop rotations
24,922 
Miller, Jones, Zabinski, Bourgault, et al
 Advancing cover crop knowledge in Montana: Soil fertility implications
35,000 
Sherman, Carr, McVay    
Relationship between fertility management and malt quality in low protein barley
30,000 

 

2017
Investigators
Project Title
Funding Amount
Bekkerman
A fertilizer price prediction tool for the northern great plains
15,700
Budak, Zitkovich, Alptekin, Biyiklioglu, et al
MicroCereal Micronutrient deficiencies and toxicities in wheat in Montana
39,500
Carr, McVay, Sherman
Relationship between fertility management and malt quality in low protein barley
30,000
Chen, Afshar
Optimization of nitrogen fertilizer in sugarbeet under no-till management
30,522
Engel, Jones, Carr, Lane
Understanding acidification and management of Montana soils 
45,000
Ewing, Miller
Soil carbon accrual in progressive Montana crop rotations - baseline soil carbon analysis
13,900
Ewing, Brookshire, Klassen, Dobeck, Jones, Payn, et al
Research Analytical Chemist, Environmental Analytical Laboratory
30,000
Ewing, Brookshire, Budak, Payn, Klassen, Engel, McDermott
Purchase of an inductivley couples Plasma optical emission spectrometer for analysis of cereal micronutrients, environmental waters, and soil chemistry
40,000
Jones, Ewing, Miller, Sigler
Fallow replacement and nitrogen rate effects on nitrate leaching, yield, and quality
7,300
Maxwell, Silverman, Broyles, Merja, Van Dyke, Wood
On-farm experiments to optimizing site-specific application of nitrogen fertilizer rates to maximize producer profits
53,156
McVay, Khan
Foliar applications to correct micro-nutrient deficiencies in winter wheat
13,050
Miller, Jones, Zabinski, Bourgault, et al
Advancing cover crop knowledge in Montana:  Soil fertility implications 
32,927
Miller, Jones, Bekkerman, Ewing, et al
Long-term N management in alternative crop rotations
30,448
Mohammed, Chen
Enhancing yield and nutritional quality of dry pea through micro-nutrient fertilization
18,519
Torrion, Stougaard, Talbert
Nitrogen fertilizer recommendations for contrasting protein requirements
36,352

2016
Investigators Project Title Funding Amount
Burgess Phosphorus and Potassium induced micronutrient deficiency in vegetables grown in manure-amended soils: How much is too much? 19,869
Chen, Afshar Optimization of nitrogen fertilizer in sugarbeet under no-till management 28,234
Engel, Carr, Jones, Lane Understanding acidification and management of Montana soils.  12,980
Engel, Miller, Jones Fertilizer Management Strategies for Enhanced N Recovery and Reducing N Losses in No-till Wheat 56,275
Ewing, Brookshire, Klassen, Jones, Payn Research Analytical Chemist, Environmental Analytical Laboratory 30,000
Ewing, Miller, Engel Long-term N management effects on soil organic C and N in traditional and diversified cropping systems 18,000
Jones, Ewing, Miller, Sigler Fallow replacement and nitrogen rate effects on nitrate leaching, yield, and quality 61,375
Lamb, Boss Nitrogen sources for short season dryland grain corn production in a low rainfall environment 9,402
McVay, Khan Foliar applications to correct micro-nutrient deficiencies in winter wheat  14,700
Miller, Jones, Bekkerman, Doheny, Larson Long-term N management in alternative crop rotations  36,900
Miller, Jones, Zabinski, Doheny, Gettel Advancing cover crop knowledge in Montana: Soil Fertility Implications  30,240
Mohammed, Chen Enhancing Yield and Nutritional Quality of Dry Pea through Micro-nutrient  Fertilization 17,864
Sands, Jones, Turner, Dratrz, Newcomb, Wichman The Seed Sentinel: Indicator Plants to Diagnose On-Farm Soil Bioavailable Mineral Deficiencies and Optimize Fertilizer Use 34,900
Torrion, Glunk, Stougaard Optimizing Boron maintenance fertilization for alfalfa  39,641
Torrion, Stougaard, Talbert Nitrogen Fertilizer Recommendations for Contrasting Protein Requirements  31,489
Wichman, Crawford, Hatelid, Malisani Second and third year evaluation of alfalfa response to spring broadcast fertilizer in central Montana’s Cascade, Fergus and Judith Basin Counties. 8,180

 

2015
Investigators Project Title Funding Amount
Chen, Engel Investigating crop nitrogen uptake as affected by cropping systems and management strategies. 30,480
Desta, Lamb, Gray, Hauptman Maximizing Yield and Quality of Dry Pea with In-Season Foliar P Fertilizer  19,035
Desta Potassium management for imporved dairyland spring wheat grain yeild and quality 24,252
Desta, Torrion, Lamb, Bruckner Roots Characteristics, Nutrient and Water Use of Winter Wheat  as Affected by Moisture, Nutrient Management and Cultivars   78,944
Desta, Torrion  Evaluation of urea-potassium chloride blend and residue management in spring wheat 29,712
Engel, Miller, Jones, Chen Wichman Fertilizer Management Strategies for Enhanced N Recovery and Reducing N Losses in No-till Wheat 57,375
Ewing, Brookshire, Klassen, Jones, Payn Research Analytical Chemist, Environmental Analytical Laboratory 30,000
Jones, Ewing, Miller, Sigler Fallow replacement and nitrogen rate effects on nitrate leaching, yield, and quality 55,878
Lamb, Boss Nitrogen sources for short season dryland grain corn production in a low rainfall environment 8,798
Miller, Jones, Bekkerman Long-term N management in alternative crop rotations 36,050
Miller, Jones, Zabinski Do cover crop mixtures grown during the summer fallow period improve soil quality compared with a sole pea cover crop or no cover crop? 18,725
Sands, Wichman The seed sentinel:  Indicator plants to diagnose on-farm soil bioavailable mineral deficiencies and optimize fertilizer use. 41,300
Torrion, Glunk, Stougaard Optimizing Boron maintenance fertilization for alfalfa 42,017
Torrion, Stougaard Understanding the nitrogen use efficiency / water use efficiency tradeoff in spring wheat 25,356
Wichman, Crawford, Hatelid Evaluation and demonstration of dryland alfalfa and alfalfa grass yield response to spring application of granular and liquid fertilizer in Fergus and Judit Basin counties.  8,214