(NAFB.com) – The National Corn Growers Association applauds the sustained reductions in nutrient losses reaching the Gulf of Mexico. The reductions are shrinking the average size of the hypoxia zone, as recently documented in a task force report to Congress. NCGA commends all growers for the practical conservation steps and measures they have voluntarily adopted on their farms to reduce nutrient losses and protect water quality. “In the journey of water quality stewardship, we are encouraged by the strides made by growers,” says Bryan Biegler, NCGA Stewardship Action Team Chair. “The commitment to sustainable practices is clear, and despite challenging weather patterns impacting growers, we see definite progress taking form over the course of a five-year rolling average.”  According to the report, the 2025 interim target to reduce nitrogen loads by 20 percent has been met. More work is needed to reduce nitrogen and phosphorous by 28 percent to meet the 2035 goal.