Nutrient Tracking Tool (NTT)

The Nutrient Tracking Tool (NTT) is a free web-based tool that allows farmers and land managers to estimate how management practices affect environmental and economic outcomes, including crop yield, nutrient losses, soil carbon sequestration, sediment erosion, and profitability. NTT models agronomic outcomes using the Agricultural Policy Environmental eXtender (APEX) model and economic outcomes using the Farm Economic Model (FEM).

NTT has built-in soils data from Web Soil Survey (USDA-NRCS) and weather data from the PRISM database (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University), which allows NTT to be run with just management information. NTT has successfully assisted decision makers in adopting management practices to reduce nutrient pollution and improve water quality without sacrificing agricultural productivity.

NTT uses inputs from a variety of sources to run both APEX and FEM which produce the model outputs.

NTT can estimate the impacts of a wide range of best management practices (BMPs) including cultural & structural practices.

  • No-Till & Reduced Tillage
  • Manure & Nutrient Management (Rate, Timing, Placement, Source)
  • Crop Rotation & Cover Crops
  • Land use conversion
  • Grazing Practices (Including Fencing)
  • Irrigation Management
  • Tile Drain Management
  • Grassed Waterways
  • Constructed Wetlands, Reservoirs, & Ponds
  • Forest & Grassland Buffers
  • Terraces & Land Levelling
  • Contour Buffers

NTT Resources, Links & More Information