Payment program
N Rate Risk Protection Program
Practical Farmers of Iowa
What you can get
$5/acre for every enrolled corn acre with a reduced-nitrogen plan, plus a $30/acre warranty payment if yield falls below 95% of the farmer's ten-year APH average • Must reduce N about 20 lb/acre (agronomist discretion for already-low rates). Certified organic acres ineligible. Acres cannot overlap privately funded programs such as Indigo, SWOF or TruCarbon; stackable with EQIP/CSP/RCPP and state cost-share. Warranty voided by an insurance yield-loss payment for hail, wind or other events. Contract is non-binding; includes free one-year PFI membership.
- Readiness
- Ready to apply
- Who can apply
- producer, Conventional corn farmers in eligible counties of IA, IL, MN, MO, NE, SD or WI who reduce N by about 20 lb/acre and carry MPCI Revenue or Yield Protection (min. 65% coverage)
- Coverage
- IA, IL, MN, MO, NE, SD, WI
- Deadline & timing
- Due April 30, 2027. Enrollment Aug. 3, 2026 to April 30, 2027 (2027 corn crop); sign agreement and FSA release by May 31, 2027; claims and wrap-up survey by Dec. 10, 2027; all payments processed by April 30, 2028.
- Eligibility
- Eligible counties in IA, IL, MN, MO, NE, SD and WI; conventionally managed corn acres and minimum 65% Multi-Peril Crop Insurance Revenue or Yield Protection coverage required. Reduce nitrogen about 20 lb/acre subject to agronomist discretion for lower rates. No overlapping privately funded program acres; PFI Extended Rotations and the U.S. Pork Sustainability Grant are listed as not stackable. A yield-loss insurance claim for other causes voids the $30 warranty; revenue loss due only to price changes does not.
Optional expert service · $249
Turn program research into an application package.
An eligibility screen for one farm, a shortlist of up to three relevant programs, and draft practice justifications and a document checklist for one selected application. Delivered within 7 business days after intake.
Last verified Nov 5, 2026. Always confirm current terms and deadlines on the official site before applying.
Plan your next step
Run a quick soil assessment or ask an agronomist how this program fits your fields.