Agriculture and the Environment

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Gervase Cooper
6 years ago
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1 Agriculture and the Environment Gabrielle Ferguson Environmental Management Branch Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food And Ministry of Rural Affairs Lake Erie Binational Public Forum September 20, 2013

National Agri-Environmental Health Analysis and Reporting Program (NAHARP) Environmental Sustainability of Canadian Agriculture:

2 NAHARP Agri-Environmental Indicators Surface runoff, deep drainage, soil erosion = increased risk of P NMPs + Regulations + conservation practices + BMPS= reduction of P surplus increased efforts to control source and transport = reduce risk of P loss National Agri-Environmental Health Analysis and Reporting Program (NAHARP) Environmental Sustainability of Canadian Agriculture: Agri-Environmental Indicator Report Series - Report No. 3

successful production is still healthy soil Agriculture

3 Water and Soil Although production management has contributed to increased crop yields and efficiencies, the key to successful production is still healthy soil Agriculture contributes to sources of nutrients and sediment in water through non-point sources

4 Phosphorus Use Efficiency Improved P use efficiency per unit of crop produced Although the gross amount of fertilizer and manure P has increased, the net P released after crop uptake has decreased Source:

5 Comparison - High Yields in Ontario Chatham Ridgetown Yield (bu/ac) Hybrid P 3540 P 34P89 Plant Population 41,820 30,000 Row Width Soil Test P Soil Test K Fertilizer P Fertilizer K Fertilizer N Manure Yes No Irrigation Yes No

6 Socio-economic changes over time Figure: Land owned and operated (yellow) and land rented (red) Social and economic changes on farming landscape have had a negative influence on level of BMP adoption and commitment Landowner outreach and communication tools updated to reflect significant influence of social and economic changes over past two decades

8 Top 12 On-Farm BMPs by $ cost share paid (completed, COFSP ) Improved Manure Storage/ Handling Farmyard and Horticultural Facilities Runoff Control Precision Agriculture Improved Cropping Systems Upland/Riparian Area Management Nutrient Recovery from Waste Water Irrigation Management Product and Waste Management Improved Pest Management (IPM) Energy Conservation Measures for Ag. Purposes Renewable Energy Production for Ag. Purposes Water Well Management 1,693 1,380 1,137 1,136 1, ,456 2,453 3,620 5,892 Total $29.3 million COFSP invested in all completed projects Cost-share paid ($) by BMP category Top 12 BMP categories above represent 80.2% of total cost-share funding paid $0 $750 $1,500 $2,250 $3,000 $3,750 $4,500 $5,250 Thousands $6,000 COFSP Canada-Ontario Farm Stewardship Program, funded under Growing Forward 8

9 OMAF - Linking Science to Applied Action BMPs Partnerships and Programs Funding Implementation Research Environmental Sustainability BMPVD Cost Share and Education Regulations federal, provincial municipal

10 Partnerships Required cooperation of: Conservation Authorities OMAF MOE Researchers Consultants Legend roadside + landowner survey roadside only non-agricultural land sub-basin boundaries Landowners

Cumulative vs conflicting effects of BMPS Suites

16% Processes at site scale to determine tipping

11 Cumulative vs conflicting effects of BMPS Suites of BMPS are more effective than a single BMP Berm alone reduces sediment 10% P 6% and N 6.5% With a systems approach Sediment 24% P 32% N 16% Processes at site scale to determine tipping point for watershed scale effectiveness 2 feet of deposition 25 yrs

12 Spatial and temporal influence of BMP Effectiveness At the watershed outlet, the concentrations of sediment and nutrients are much higher in storm events compared to typical conditions Models determined variable source areas/contributing areas/concentrated flow paths-where is the water coming from and going to? Can BMPs be more precise? Typical conditions During an event

BMP effectiveness can be modelled high loads = 60.

= 31.7% of map area Late spring with the BMP no-tillage Darker

Kettle Creek spring conditions had 60% of the area at risk for

13 BMP effectiveness can be modelled high loads = 60.7% of map area Late spring under standard conditions High loads = 31.7% of map area Late spring with the BMP no-tillage Darker red areas are where BMPs need to be implemented the most) In Kettle Creek spring conditions had 60% of the area at risk for sediment and nutrient loss compared with less then 5% in the summer and winter.

14 Opportunities Collaboration & education: extensive teams to work together to: effectively monitor P in Ontario watersheds properly identify sources of P Identify priorities for future programs, research and monitoring Evaluate and make recommendations for regulation, legislation, BMPs relating to P in Ontario Watershed based projects teach us lessons about how to make BMPs more effective

15 Thank You! Gabrielle Ferguson Environmental Program Specialist Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food Ontario Ministry of Rural Affairs

Canada-Ontario Domestic Action Plan for Lake Erie Phosphorus Reduction. Agriculture Sector Working Group April 19, 2017

Canada-Ontario Domestic Action Plan for Lake Erie Phosphorus Reduction Agriculture Sector Working Group April 19, 2017 Purpose Present an overview of the Canada-Ontario Draft Action Plan for Lake Erie