As California water officials consider changes to the state’s regulatory framework for nitrogen applications and discharges by farms that irrigate, those representing growers who rely on nitrogen fertilizers say more data and time are needed before strict targets are imposed. … Composed of University of California scientists and Cooperative Extension specialists, the second statewide agricultural expert panel is tasked with reassessing and updating the state’s regulatory approach to reduce nitrates. The panel met twice this month to review nitrogen reporting data collected as part of the state’s Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program, or ILRP, which governs how regional agricultural orders manage farm runoff.