The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has released its 2025 Progress Update for the Missouri Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy. The update highlights the state’s significant progress in reducing nutrient pollution, improving water quality and strengthening statewide conservation efforts.
The Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy is Missouri’s long-term, adaptive approach to reducing nitrogen and phosphorus pollution to help protect local waterways and downstream ecosystems. The update outlines progress Missouri has made through collaboration with state agencies, conservation districts, agricultural partners and local communities.
“The Missouri Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy reflects the state’s commitment to balancing agricultural productivity, economic growth and environmental stewardship,” said Chris Wieberg, deputy director of MoDNR’s Missouri Geological Survey. “Missouri’s continued investment in conservation and nutrient management is delivering measurable results for our water resources and our economy. This progress update demonstrates how partnerships and better practices are making a real difference for communities across the state.”
Key highlights from the 2025 Progress Update include:
• More than $168 million invested in conservation practices through the Parks, Soils and Water Sales Tax from 2022 to 2025.
• Prevention of more than 5.2 million tons of soil and associated nutrients from entering Missouri waterways.
• Expansion of cover crop adoption, with more than 168,000 acres served in 2025.
• Implementation of more than 50 active 4R Nutrient Stewardship contracts covering over 4,300 acres by MoDNR’s Soil and Water Conservation Program.
The report also highlights Missouri’s participation in national efforts to address Gulf Hypoxia, the development of nutrient trading programs and ongoing research through edge-of-field monitoring and innovative other conservation practices.
In addition to documenting progress, the update outlines priorities for 2026 and 2027. These include expanding nutrient trading, increasing watershed modeling, strengthening partnerships with USDA-NRCS and advancing research on emerging conservation technologies.
