What Cornell Nutrient Management Spear Program (NMSP) does

Cornell University's Nutrient Management Spear Program (NMSP) is a land-grant research and extension program founded in August 2000 and housed within the Department of Animal Science in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Its mission is to assess current knowledge, conduct applied field and laboratory research, and transfer science-based guidance to New York State farms for field crop nutrient management, with the stated goal of improving farm profitability and competitiveness while protecting the environment. The program serves primarily New York dairy, livestock, and cash grain operations, certified crop advisors, and state and federal agencies including USDA-NRCS, NYSDEC, and NYSAGM, with secondary audiences in agricultural education (high schools, SUNY institutions, Cornell undergraduates).

NMSP's core deliverables include the official Cornell Nutrient Guidelines for Field Crops (referenced in NY CAFO permits and the NRCS 590 standard), the Whole-Farm Nutrient Mass Balance software (Cornell NMB v2.1 with integrated GHG footprinting), the NY Phosphorus Index 2.0, the multi-state Northeast Region Phosphorus Index, and 136+ Agronomy Fact Sheets. The program operates the New York On-Farm Research Partnership, processing yield monitor data covering more than 400,000 acres of farmland and maintaining a whole-farm mass balance dataset of more than 1,000 dairy farms. Documented farm-level outcomes include 20–30% reductions in nitrogen and phosphorus imports among participating operations.

The program is funded entirely through non-commercial channels — competitive grants from USDA, FFAR, NESARE, NNYADP, NFWF, and Chobani, plus Cornell University institutional support as a land-grant extension entity. All services, software, guidelines, webinars, and on-farm research participation are provided free of charge. Distribution relies on Cornell Cooperative Extension field staff, the NMSP website, monthly "Lunch with the NMSP!" webinars, the "What's Cropping Up?" blog and "The Spear" newsletter, and field-day events. Major partners include PRO-DAIRY, USDA-NRCS, the Dairy Soil and Water Regeneration consortium, and Farm Information Technologies LLC (which maintains Cornell Cropware under a 2011 technology-transfer arrangement).

Name

Cornell Nutrient Management Spear Program (NMSP)

Legal name

Cornell University Nutrient Management Spear Program

Website

https://nmsp.cals.cornell.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cornell NMSP is a land-grant research and extension program developing science-based nutrient management guidelines, on-farm research, and software tools (NMB, P-Index, Cropware) for New York dairy, livestock, and cash grain farms and their crop advisors, funded entirely by grants and university support with all services provided free of charge.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Extension and Research Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Crop Production (11511), Farm Management Services (115116)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Nutrient Management Planning & Fertility Programs (AFACABAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Soil Health & Regenerative Agronomy Consulting (AFACABAA), Soil Testing & Nutrient Analysis Services (AFACAKAA), Precision Nutrient Management Services (Nutrient Modeling, N-Rate Tools, 4R Programs) (AFACACAG)

Keywords

• Agricultural extension services
• Nutrient management planning
• Soil fertility research
• Precision agriculture tools
• Dairy sustainability research

Headquarters

HQ city

Ithaca

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding (Primary): Primary revenue consists of competitive grant funding from federal, state, and private sources including USDA Conservation Innovation Grants, USDA-NIFA, Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR), Northern New York Agricultural Development Program, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Chobani, NESARE, and Cornell Cooperative Extension allocations. No commercial revenue is generated.
2. University Base Funding: Housed within Cornell University's Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Receives institutional support as a land-grant university extension program.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Cornell NMSP develops and maintains official Cornell University field crop fertility and nutrient management guidelines for New York State, and delivers applied research, software tools, and extension programming to dairy, livestock, and cash grain farmers. Its core outputs include Cornell Cropware nutrient management planning software, the Whole-Farm Nutrient Mass Balance tool (v2.1), the NY Phosphorus Index 2.0, the multi-state Northeast Region Phosphorus Index, and 136+ agronomy fact sheets. The program also runs the New York On-Farm Research Partnership, conducting field-based research on participating farms across 1,000+ operations and 400,000+ acres.

Product overview

Cornell Nutrient Management Spear Program (NMSP) is an academic research and extension program at Cornell University offering a suite of nutrient management planning tools and educational resources. The core offerings include Cornell Cropware (comprehensive nutrient management planning software transferred to Farm Information Technologies LLC for support), the NY P-Index Calculator and NY Phosphorus Index 2.0 (phosphorus runoff risk assessment tools), the Northeast Region Phosphorus Index Calculator (multi-state P risk assessment), and the Whole Farm Nutrient Mass Balance Software (for dairy farm N, P, K balance assessment). These are complemented by over 136 Agronomy Fact Sheets and official Cornell Nutrient Guidelines for field crops. NMSP also conducts on-farm research through the New York On-Farm Research Partnership and provides laboratory services including CSNT (Corn Stalk Nitrate Test) sampling and analysis.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cornell NMB: Whole Farm Nutrient Mass Balance software tool
• NY-PI 2.0

Products and services

• Cornell Cropware Comprehensive nutrient management planning software that integrates Cornell crop nutrient guidelines, soil test value conversions, environmental risk indices (NY Phosphorus Runoff Index, Nitrate Leaching Index), and farm logistics for manure production and storage. Used for Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP) development, supporting CAFO compliance for New York State dairy and livestock farms.
• NY P-Index Calculator (Phosphorus Runoff Index) Web-based calculator for assessing phosphorus runoff risk from agricultural fields based on soil test P, fertilizer and manure application rates, timing, method, and field attributes including soil drainage, flooding frequency, and distance to streams. Used by crop advisors and farmers for NY State nutrient management planning.
• Northeast Region Phosphorus Index Calculator Regional phosphorus runoff risk assessment tool covering six northeastern US states (NY, CT, NH, ME, MA, RI), enabling consistent P risk assessment across state boundaries using a landscape x BMP approach for multi-state nutrient management planning.
• Whole-Farm Nutrient Mass Balance (NMB) Software Desktop software tool (Cornell NMB v2.1) for calculating whole-farm nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium mass balances for dairy farms. Includes a greenhouse gas footprinting module. Helps farmers identify opportunities to reduce nutrient imports, improve nutrient use efficiency, and document sustainability outcomes. Used by over 1,000 farms statewide.
• Cornell Nutrient Guidelines for Field Crops Official Cornell University guidelines for field crop fertility and nutrient management including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and lime guidelines, nitrate leaching index, groundwater protection guidelines, and winter spreading guidelines. Directly referenced in NY State CAFO permits and the NY-NRCS 590 Nutrient Management Standard. Used by farmers, crop advisors, and agency staff.
• Agronomy Fact Sheets Series Series of over 136 educational fact sheets (#1 through #136) covering soil fertility, nutrient management, crop management, and environmental topics. Topics include soil testing, nitrogen management, phosphorus management, manure handling, precision agriculture, greenhouse gas emissions, and soil health. Used by farmers, crop advisors, and educators.
• New York On-Farm Research Partnership Farmer-driven research program where NY farmers volunteer to participate in field-based research trials coordinated by NMSP. Covers on-farm research projects across dairy, livestock, and cash grain operations in New York State. Farmers and crop advisors pose research priorities; the program coordinates with PRO-DAIRY, Cornell Cooperative Extension, consulting firms, and agencies.
• Whole Farm Nutrient Management Course (ANSC4120/6120) Formal academic course offered through Cornell University's Department of Animal Science for undergraduate and graduate students, covering whole farm nutrient management principles and NMSP tools and methodologies.
• Lunch with the NMSP! Webinar Series Monthly live webinar series held on the first Friday of each month (12-1pm EST) via Zoom, open to the public and free to attend. Covers on-farm research projects with Q&A. Recordings are available on the NMSP YouTube channel. Targeted at farmers, crop advisors, and educators.
• Soil Test Conversion Tools Equations and tools for converting Mehlich-III soil test data to Morgan soil test equivalents for New York soils, derived from 232 soil samples representing 27 soil types across New York. Enables use of Cornell guidelines with results from laboratories that use different extraction methods.

Quantifiable outcome

• 20–30% reduction in nitrogen and phosphorus imports among participating farms through whole-farm nutrient mass balance assessments
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Northeast States (CT, NH, ME, MA, RI) — State Agencies and UniversitiescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Multi-state collaboration led to development and release of the Northeast Region Phosphorus Index in 2022, enabling consistent P risk assessment across state boundaries in the northeastern US.
• Dairy Soil and Water Regeneration (DSWR) ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Led by the Dairy Research Institute (DRI), in partnership with the Soil Health Institute and Dairy Management Inc. NMSP serves as the New York research site for this six-year national study on soil health practices, manure management, GHG emissions, and water quality in dairy forage production. Funded by FFAR and private donors (Nestle, Newtrient, Starbucks). Partners include The Nature Conservancy, Soil Health Institute, and 7 other universities (UVM, UW-Madison, UW-Platteville, Texas A&M, UC-Davis, USDA-ARS).
• Farm Information Technologies LLCcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2011Cropware software development, maintenance, and technical support transferred from Cornell NMSP to Farm Information Technologies LLC in 2011. This allows private-sector timely updates while NMSP maintains authority over Cornell nutrient management guidelines for field crops.
• PRO-DAIRY (Cornell University)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNMSP works in close partnership with PRO-DAIRY, another Cornell CALS program, on dairy sustainability research and extension. PRO-DAIRY's staff including Kirsten Workman (Nutrient Management and Environmental Sustainability Specialist), Karl Czymmek (Climate Leadership Specialist), and Jason Oliver (Dairy Environmental Systems Engineer) collaborate directly with NMSP on on-farm research, whole-farm nutrient balances, and manure management projects.
• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNRCS partners on development of conservation standards including the NY-NRCS 590 Nutrient Management Standard and the Northeast Region Phosphorus Index. NRCS staff participate in NMSP external advisory committees and reference Cornell guidelines in federal programs.
• Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCCE Field Crops Educators and county extension staff are essential partners in delivering NMSP research and guidelines to farmers throughout New York State. CCE staff participate in on-farm research trials and help translate findings into practice.
• NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNYSDEC issues CAFO permits and references Cornell University documents (Winter Spreading Guidelines, Groundwater Protection Guidelines) and NRCS 590 standard (which incorporates Cornell fertility guidelines) in permit requirements.
• NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets (NYSAGM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNYSAGM co-authored Cornell guideline documents and participates in NMSP advisory committees. Contributed to development of Cornell Cropware and Comprehensive Nutrient Management Planning guidance.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Pivot Bio: Commercial microbial nitrogen-fixing fertilizer company targeting corn growers — adjacent competitor in the nutrient management space, focused on replacing synthetic N fertilizer applications that NMSP advises on.
• Taranis: AI-driven precision agriculture platform offering drone and satellite imagery-based crop intelligence — overlaps directly with NMSP's drone/satellite yield prediction research from a commercial angle.

Direct peers

• University of Vermont Extension: Northeast land-grant extension program serving Vermont dairy and field crop farms with agronomy, nutrient management, and water quality programs — overlapping customer base and mission.
• Penn State Extension — Agronomy: Land-grant extension service delivering crop nutrient management guidance, soil testing, and on-farm research to Pennsylvania farmers — directly comparable to NMSP's role in New York.
• University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension: Major land-grant extension program with comparable soil fertility, nutrient management, and dairy cropping systems research — most directly comparable in scale and depth outside the Northeast.
• Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE): Cornell's county-based extension delivery network that channels NMSP research and guidelines to NY farmers — the primary distribution partner and a peer in delivering applied agronomy.
• PRO-DAIRY (Cornell University): Cornell CALS program focused on dairy sustainability and operations that collaborates directly with NMSP on on-farm research, manure management, and dairy environmental systems — the closest in-house peer within Cornell.
• Farm Information Technologies LLC: Private software vendor that took over development, maintenance, and support of Cornell Cropware in 2011 — directly comparable as the commercial steward of NMSP's flagship nutrient management planning tool.

Broad incumbents

• Climate FieldView (Bayer): Industry-leading digital agriculture platform providing yield monitoring, variable rate, and field analytics at commercial scale — competes with NMSP's precision agriculture tools from a much broader product portfolio.

Others

• Soil Health Institute: Non-profit research organization co-leading the national Dairy Soil and Water Regeneration consortium in which NMSP is the New York research site — a key research peer and collaborator.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cornellnmsp
• YouTubeyoutube.com/playlist?list=PL8lttMPw1SSo6SqrrBwIJ-1KlJtIUGg5N
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cornell-nutrient-management-spear-program-nmsp

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Cornell Nutrient Management Spear Program (NMSP)