Nutrient Management Concept to Implementation

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1 Natural Resources Conservation Service Nutrient Management Concept to Implementation Terrell Erickson Director, Ecological Sciences Division NRCS National Headquarters

2 Why Nutrient Management Budget and Supply Nutrients for Plant Production Minimize Agricultural Nonpoint Source Pollution of Surface and Groundwater Resources Properly Utilize Manure or Organic by- Products as a Plant Nutrient Source Protect Air Quality by Reducing Odors and Nitrogen Emissions (ammonia, oxides of nitrogen) Maintain or Improve the Physical, Chemical, and Biological Condition of Soil

3 Budget and Supply Nutrients for Plant Production How much nitrogen (N), phosphorus(p), and potassium(k) is needed for the crops? What is the current nutrient level in the soil? What crops will be grown & what are the expected yields? Nutrient credits from manure? Result of the Nutrient Budget Displays the amount of N, P, K needed for each field as well as the entire farm. Can identify excess N, P, K Nutrients removed by crops Nutrient credits from prior crop/legumes? Identifies the source(s) nutrients e.g. Nutrients in soil Nutrients from manure Nitrogen from legumes Nutrients needed for purchase

4 Sample Soil Test

5 Sample Manure Analysis Solid Manure Liquid Manure This can tell you how much N, P, and K you are applying for each ton of manure applied, or per 1000 gallons of liquid manure applied.

6 Sample N, P, K Recommendation Based on Soil Test Results and Yield Goals

7 Sample Nutrient Budget Manure Applied Nutrients The field buffer no manure applied (-) indicates needed fertilizer

8 Minimize Nutrient Loss to Surface and Groundwater Resources Emphasis on the 4Rs of Nutrient Management Right Time Right Source Right Rate Right Method of Application

9 Planning the 4 R s All 4 R s must be implemented and coordinated based on: Nutrient to be applied (N, P, K) Nutrient Source (NH3, UAN, Urea, Manure, Chemical Fertilizers, Organic Fertilizers) Crop Type (Fall, Spring, Summer Planted) Soil Considerations (Well vs. Poorly Drained, Leaching Potential vs. High Runoff) Climate (Temperature, Rainfall & Distribution)

10 Keeping Nutrients Out of Ground & Surface Water In Addition to the 4 R s - Holistic Approach: Avoid, Control, Trap (ACT) Need a Conservation System Practices that TRAP nutrients and sediment, e.g., filter strips, riparian buffers. Practices that AVOID nutrient loss, e.g., Nutrient Mgt., Cover Crops Practices that CONTROL nutrient runoff, e.g., erosion control, irrigation water mgt.

11 ACT - Avoiding Nutrient Loss Use the Nutrient Management 4 R s Utilize Cover Crops Utilize Rotations

12 ACT - Control Nutrient Loss Controlling Nutrient Runoff and Leaching Involves: Controlling Erosion Controlling Surface Water Runoff Controlling Nutrient Leaching

13 ACT Trapping Nutrient Loss The Last Line of Defense (example practices) Filter Strips Riparian Buffers Contour Buffer Strips Constructed Wetlands Drainage Water Management

14 Fertilizer Enhancements/Additives To Improve Air & Water Quality and Improve Nutrient Use Efficiency Volatilization - Urease inhibitors Leaching and Denitrification - Nitrification inhibitors Combination products (Slow or controlled Release) Other N and P Enhanced Fertilizers or Amendments

15 Adaptive Nutrient Management Trying an Improved Nutrient Management Technology on Your Farm. What If Or How On My Farm

16 Adaptive Management Definition: Adaptive management is a process of testing an idea to evaluate and adjust the application of a conservation practice over multiple seasons. Goal: Test and evaluate how a practice or technology can best be applied on a given farming operation or site condition.. Learning experience for the producer and consultant.

17 Origin of Adaptive Management A component of a planning or problem solving process. A method to reduce risk and deal with uncertainty. A learning process (individual and group). Many questions can only be answered by experience and experiment.

18 Adaptive Management Process Step 1 Plan Step 4 Adjust Step 2 Implement Step 3 Evaluate

19 Conducting on-farm field trials a process: Planning Developing a hypothesis If I make this change, I expect these results. Planning of replicated plot trials. Determining the resources needed to carry out the plot trials. Measuring or laying out the replicated plot trials in the field. Implementing Establish / Install Collecting data important to the evaluation of your hypothesis (may involve multiple data collections throughout the year). Evaluate Analyzing & Summarize the data collected. Adjust Conclusions, Adapting.

20 What does it look like? Replications improve accuracy of the results Provides better information to make decisions

21 Adaptive Management - The Learning Process Producer Involvement on Their Land & Their Question or Opportunity with a Consultant Data is collected, summarized, analyzed, and presented in a format that gives context and meaning to the farmer. A process is provided to determine LSD Options for Farmer Interaction Individual Farmers Farmer Group up to about 20 producers Present data and facilitate producers to discuss, ask questions, propose improvements

22 NRCS Assistance for Nutrient Management and Adaptive Management Technical Support Conservation Planning Plan new practice/technology Financial Support via EQIP Current Eligible Practices CPS 590 Nutrient Management CPS 329 Residue Management, No Till CPS 345 Residue Management, Reduced Till CPS 340 Cover Crops

23 Nutrient Management Summary Implement 4 R s Control Erosion Control Water Runoff Control Leaching Enhanced Nutrient Management Technologies Adaptive Management Technical and Financial Assistance

24 Other Opportunities Qualified Tribal Members can Become a Technical Service Provider (TSP) Nutrient Management (590) Conservation Activity Plan (104) CAP 104 Nutrient Management Plan Other practices and CAPs ps/portal/nrcs/main/national /programs/technical/tsp/ How to become a TSP etc. As a TSP Can provide technical services to producers when hired by the producer and approved by NRCS. Payment is to the producer, who then pays the TSP for the services provided. TSP can set the cost to be paid by the producer; however, the amount given to the producer may be less than charged by the TSP.