Agriculture and Water Quality: The Midwest Picture Adam Birr, Ph.D. - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Agriculture and Water Quality: The Midwest Picture

Adam Birr, Ph.D. Executive Director

Overview

• State of agriculture and water quality

issues in Midwest

– Emerging trends – Examples

• Responding to water quality issues

– Research – Communication and outreach

Environmental State of Midwest Agriculture

Background

• Activists, agencies, media and the public

are placing increased attention on the relationship between agriculture and water quality and quantity;

• Fewer people have a connection to farms

and farmers and legislative clout is growing;

• Proposed environmental regulations

related to non-point source pollution are inevitable (state and local).

• Chesapeake Bay - Hypoxia
• Gulf of Mexico - Hypoxia
• Lake Erie – City of Toledo
• Des Moines Water Works

Agriculture and Water Quality

Examples

• Nutrient Reduction

Strategy

• Stream Nutrient Standards
• Buffers
• Nitrogen Fertilizer

Management Plan

Agriculture and Water Quality

Minnesota Examples

How we got from THIS – TO THIS – TO THIS

A Recent Glimpse Into the Future

Buffers

DNR Enforcement and Oversight

Expansive: 50 feet

• n ALL “perennial

waters” (bed, bank, and flowing water) One-size fits all Alternative practices only allowed if can show a buffer would not protect or improve water quality Timeline: Buffers in place by Sept. 2016

Governor Dayton’s original buffer bill

Buffers

Meanwhile in the media…

Dayton to farmers: Support buffer zones, or watch our waters become cesspools

• Bring Me the News

Mark Dayton vs. Farmers: A buffer battle brews

– Pioneer Press, March 15

In all of these instances the Grand Ole Farm Lobby ™ has reacted with the well-worn message of voluntary conservation as the only

• solution. Let farmers who know

their land best make the choice to do what's right, have taxpayers fund it, and all will be well goes the thinking.

• Huffington Post, May 20

“You have a right to operate your land for lawful purposes, but you don’t have the right to dump your runoff and create cesspools where the rest of Minnesotans are gonna wanna enjoy it and where wildlife wants to enjoy it.”

• Governor Mark Dayton

• Buffers timeline/width:

– Nov. 1, 2017 for public waters the more restrictive

• f 50 foot ave, 30 ft minimum OR state shore land

standards – Nov. 1, 2018 for public drainage systems (assume same date for private systems within benefited area) 16.5ft width buffer required – OR alternative water quality practices

• Maps completed by July 2016
• By July 1, 2017, SWCDs shall develop a summary of

watercourses for inclusion in the local water plan.

Buffers

Final Law

“The Big Ag blowback denied

• Dayton. Legislators effectively

trimmed and neutered his simple approach. The bill they passed gave farmers discretion

• n the size and location of

buffer strips. Violations would be treated with a laughable $500 fine... and only for farmers who had not complied for 11 straight months.” City Pages, July 1st

“A win for Gov. Dayton was approval of a plan to require larger buffer zones between crops and public waterways.” The Daily News, June 2015

vs

Buffers

Synopsis

Nutrients

Statewide Sources Source: The Draft Minnesota Nutrient Reduction Strategy, 2013

Nutrients

Minnesota Reduction Strategy

Nitrogen Fertilizer Management Plan

Proposed Rules

• Two Parts:

– Vulnerable areas will have nitrogen fertilizer restrictions either in the fall or to frozen soils – Where measured nitrate levels in groundwater are elevated and nitrogen BMPs not adopted, restrictions will vary for different regions and soil types and will be based on U of M nitrogen BMPs

Agriculture and Water Quality

Governor Water Summit

• Focus public attention on the serious

challenges facing Minnesota’s water

• “My father believed – as I believe – that

stewardship is a profound responsibility

• f each of us.” Gov. Dayton said. “This is

everyone’s challenge, and everyone’s responsibility.”

• "Water quality is a worthy signature

issue for Dayton.“, Star Tribune editorial,

• Nov. 25, 2015

Addressing Water Quality Issues

MN Corn’s Guidelines

• Communicate: Value water quality and

progress made to date to build trust.

• Research: Invest own funds in identifying

sources and solutions.

• Promote: Viable practices based in

research.

• Regulation: Implement above steps to

address public perception and avoid future regulation.

• Invest

approximately $1.5M annually

• Overall focus on

productivity

Production Stewardship Research

Increase production while supporting sustainable ag practices

• 12 specific to efficient nitrogen management for reduced

loss from the field.

• 3 specific to cover crops and reduced tillage systems.
• 8 to improving and measuring water quality and

reducing nutrient loss to surface and ground water.

• 4 are focused on education programs and/or measuring

the success of implemented changes in farming practice including sites like the Discovery Farms.

• The remaining 6 projects are focused on genetics,

variety selection and agronomic practice.

Production Stewardship Research

MCR&PC currently has 33 active research/education projects

• Evaluation of Stream Bank Erosion – Satish Gupta UMN
• Mineralization Potential of Agricultural Soils and Canopy

Sensing Technologies to Predict Corn Nitrogen Needs after Fertilization in Minnesota – Fabian Fernandez UMN

• Optimizing Nitrogen Use Efficiency and Minimizing

Nitrification-Induced N Leaching and Gaseous Losses with Post-Plant Fertilizer Applications: Field and Lab Studies – Rod Venterea UMN

Project Examples

Project Examples

• Effects of Time of N Application and Instinct on Corn

Production and Nitrate Losses from Tile Drainage – Jeff Vetsch UMN

• Nitrogen fertilizer management for rain-fed corn in MN if

spring application is the only option – John Lamb UMN

• Matching Conservation Drainage Practices with Nitrogen

Application Rates and Sources for Minnesota – Gary Sands UMN

Research Priorities

2016 Request for Proposals

• Development of a programmatic approach to address

nitrate loss through focused research and extension/education toward implementation.

• Evaluation of innovative irrigation or drainage

system practices designed to optimize field productivity while maintaining sound environmental stewardship and sustainability.

• Evaluation of crop management decision tools for
• ptimizing economic advantage in corn production

and potential for optimizing productivity while maintaining sound environmental stewardship and sustainable practice.

• Development of conservation strategies such as cover

crops for MN corn production addressing such issues as establishment, crop competition, fall and spring management and economic viability.

Innovation Grants

Combining Research and Communication

• Purpose: to help farmers develop novel practices

for improved nutrient management, soil retention and water quality on their farms.

• Fund up to 9 farm Innovation Grants per year.
• Grant applications will be evaluated by a broad

committee including members from outside MN Corn.

• The grants will also aid in hosting up to 6

additional annual field days to highlight innovation success and encourage adaption and

• ther discovery throughout Minnesota

agriculture.

Additional Water Related Activities

Partnerships

• Member of the Minnesota

Ag Water Resources Center (MAWRC) – Discovery Farms Minnesota – Green Star Farms Initiative

• Support the University of

Minnesota Drainage Specialist

• Support the University of

Minnesota Nutrient Management Specialist for Cropping Systems with an Emphasis on Nitrogen

Education and Outreach Tools

Getting information into farmer’s hands

Education and Outreach Tools

Research Summary

Education and Outreach Tools

Online and Social Media

Two examples of public engagement: two MCGA op-eds published in the Star Tribune

Social media activity on both op-eds

• 10,702 views on our Facebook page
• 455 Facebook likes
• 67 shares
• Over 4,500 views on our blog
• 3,730 Twitter impressions
• 115 Twitter engagements

Authored by: Noah Hultgren, MCGA Stats from the Strib page 273 comments 888 Facebook “likes” and shares Authored by: Kirby Hettver, MCGA Stats from the Strib page 133 comments 895 Facebook “likes” and shares

Social Media

MCGA Response to Buffers

• Demonstrate farmers’

commitment to land and water resources through everyday conservation practices

• Educate non-farming public of

conservation practices

Education and Outreach Tools

Conservation Story Map

Conservation Story Map

Screenshot

http://ec2-50-19-246-156.compute-1.amazonaws.com/MCGA/Storymaps/

Conservation Story Map

Screenshot

Final Thoughts…

• There are no easy to implement, one-size-fits all

solutions;

• However, there is a growing sentiment that a water

quality crisis exists linked to agriculture;

• Legislation backed supported by public perception

can lead to rapid changes;

• Water quality improvements will only be realized

through research and education at the field and farm;

• Farmers have a long history of environmental

stewardship that is constantly evolving but we need to tell our story.

Thank You

Adam Birr, Ph.D. Executive Director abirr@mncorn.org 952-233-0333