New research funding supports practical fertilizer solutions for farmers across diverse cropping systems.
Farmers across North America continue to face rising production costs, changing weather conditions, and increasing pressure to improve crop performance while protecting the environment. To help address these challenges, the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) has announced a $9.3 million investment through its Efficient Fertilizer Consortium.
The funding will support 12 research projects designed to improve nutrient use efficiency in a range of agricultural systems. The research involves partnerships among universities, government organizations, and industry groups working together to develop practical solutions farmers can use in real-world conditions.
According to FFAR, the goal is to provide growers with science-based information that helps them make better fertilizer management decisions. Researchers will study how nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers can be used more efficiently while maintaining crop yields and reducing environmental impacts.
Many of the projects will examine enhanced-efficiency fertilizers combined with proven management practices such as cover cropping and nutrient stewardship programs. Researchers hope these practices will help farmers increase productivity while using nutrients more effectively.
“Growers need robust, science-backed guidance for practical solutions that improve nutrient use efficiency in real-world conditions that reflect their own farming practices,” said FFAR Scientific Program Manager Dr. Sarah Lyons. “These investments support actionable research that can help farmers make better and more profitable management decisions to strengthen productivity and environmental stewardship.”
The investment comes at a time when growers are looking for tools that can help them respond to unpredictable challenges, including changing weather patterns, market volatility, and fluctuating fertilizer supplies. Better nutrient management can support stronger crop performance while helping farms remain profitable.
To ensure consistency and reliability, all funded projects will follow established field trial guidelines developed with input from experts representing academia, government agencies, commodity organizations, and the fertilizer industry. These standards are designed to ensure that research results are practical, credible, and useful for farmers.
The initiative also receives support from crop industry organizations, including Cotton Incorporated. Industry leaders say improving fertilizer efficiency benefits both farm profitability and environmental stewardship, making it an important area for continued investment.
The funded projects cover a wide range of production systems and growing environments. Researchers will evaluate fertilizer products across different soil types, climates, and cropping systems. Some projects will focus on biofertilizers, while others will study nutrient movement, fertilizer placement methods, and strategies for reducing nutrient losses.
Several projects will specifically look at corn, soybean, and cotton production systems. Others will assess fertilizer performance in irrigated regions, tile-drained fields, and dryland farming environments. The research is expected to generate valuable information for farmers across North America and beyond.
The largest grant was awarded to the University of Copenhagen to examine how enhanced-efficiency fertilizers and cover crops can work together to improve nitrogen use efficiency and crop productivity in both Europe and North America. Additional projects are being conducted by institutions in the United States, Canada and Israel.
The 2026 Efficient Fertilizer Consortium awardees include:
Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada - Dr. Craig Drury was awarded $316,635 to study the agronomic, environmental and microbial impacts of fertilizers combined with placement methods, conservation tillage and cover crops.
University of Copenhagen — Dr. Sander Bruun was awarded $1,665,571 to study how enhanced efficiency fertilizers and cover crops can work together to improve nitrogen use efficiency and enhance crop productivity in both Europe and North America.
“Efficient fertilizer use is an important area of research for Cotton Incorporated because it has implications for both grower profitability and environmental stewardship,” said Dr. Jesse Daystar, vice president and chief sustainability officer at Cotton Incorporated. “Through our participation in the Efficient Fertilizer Consortium, we have supported research aligned with our strategic priorities, including improving fertilizer use efficiency and advancing science that can benefit U.S. cotton producers.”
By bringing together researchers, industry experts and growers, the Efficient Fertilizer Consortium aims to provide practical recommendations that help farmers optimize fertilizer use while balancing productivity and environmental goals.
The research findings are expected to support future fertilizer management decisions, strengthen farm resilience, and contribute to more sustainable agricultural systems. As farmers continue to seek ways to produce more food using fewer resources, initiatives such as this one play an important role in advancing innovation across the agriculture sector.
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