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).
Agriculture and Water Quality Examples • Chesapeake Bay - Hypoxia • Gulf of Mexico - Hypoxia • Lake Erie – City of Toledo • Des Moines Water Works
Agriculture and Water Quality Minnesota Examples • Nutrient Reduction Strategy • Stream Nutrient Standards • Buffers • Nitrogen Fertilizer Management Plan
A Recent Glimpse Into the Future Buffers How we got from THIS – TO THIS – TO THIS
Buffers Governor Dayton’s original buffer bill DNR Enforcement and Oversight One-size fits all Expansive: 50 feet Alternative on ALL “perennial Timeline: Buffers in practices only waters” (bed, bank, place by Sept. 2016 allowed if can show and flowing water) a buffer would not protect or improve water quality
Meanwhile in the media… Mark Dayton vs. Farmers: A buffer battle brews – Pioneer Press, March 15 Dayton to farmers: Support buffer zones, or watch our waters become cesspools - Bring Me the News In all of these instances the Grand Ole Farm Lobby ™ has reacted with the well-worn message of “You have a right to operate your land voluntary conservation as the only for lawful purposes, but you don’t solution. Let farmers who know have the right to dump your runoff and their land best make the choice to create cesspools where the rest of do what's right, have taxpayers Minnesotans are gonna wanna enjoy it and where wildlife wants to enjoy it.” fund it, and all will be well goes the -Governor Mark Dayton thinking. - Huffington Post, May 20
Buffers Final Law Buffers timeline/width: • – Nov. 1, 2017 for public waters the more restrictive of 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 Synopsis “A win for Gov. Dayton was approval of a plan to require larger buffer “The Big Ag blowback denied vs Dayton. Legislators effectively zones between crops and trimmed and neutered his simple approach. The bill they public waterways.” The passed gave farmers discretion Daily News, June 2015 on 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
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 of 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.
Production Stewardship Research Increase production while supporting sustainable ag practices • Invest approximately $1.5M annually • Overall focus on productivity
Production Stewardship Research MCR&PC currently has 33 active research/education projects 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.
Project Examples • 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 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 optimizing 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 other 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
Social Media MCGA Response to Buffers 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, Authored by: Kirby Hettver, MCGA MCGA Stats from the Strib page Stats from the Strib page 133 comments 273 comments 895 Facebook “likes” and shares 888 Facebook “likes” and shares
Education and Outreach Tools Conservation Story Map • Demonstrate farmers’ commitment to land and water resources through everyday conservation practices • Educate non-farming public of conservation practices
Conservation Story Map Screenshot
Conservation Story Map Screenshot http://ec2-50-19-246-156.compute-1.amazonaws.com/MCGA/Storymaps/
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
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