Evaluating BMPs on farm:

Transcription

1 Evaluating BMPs on farm: The Effectiveness of Sod Based Rotation in Reducing Nitrogen Leaching Below Ground David Wright and Andrea Albertin NFREC Quincy

2 BMP effectiveness FDACS Office of Ag and Water Policy: Develops and implements BMPs BMPs target Water Quality and Water Conservation Established and verified through research Must be economically and technically feasible for producers Cost share provided to implement practices

3 The Florida Water Bill, BMAPs and BMPs BMAPs (Basin Management Action Plans) are blueprints for restoring impaired waters by reducing pollutant loads The 2016 Florida Water Bill establishes that BMAPs are enforceable and that management strategies, including BMPs and water quality monitoring are enforceable

4 Overview of the rotation systems at NFREC-Quincy Sod- based rotation Conventional rotation oats Bahia-1 st year oats Peanut oats Cotton Bahia-2 nd Bahia-2 year nd year oats oats Cotton oats Cotton Peanut Research on SBR has been conducted at the NFREC since 1999

5 Rel. Values Impacts of rotations/cattle on cropping systems Applied water and nutrients Env. benefits, ecosys. ser., yield. Sod based rotation 0 single crop, conv. ST, conv., C.C. graze, C.C., ST, conv. bahia, ST bahia, C.C., ST graze, bahia, C.C., ST C.C.= cover crops, ST= strip tillage, conv.= conventional rotation

6 Evaluation of Sod based Rotation Rotational Production as a BMP What is the focus of new funding by FDACS and NWF Water Management District regarding SBR/RP? Water Quality and Quantity How effective is SBR/RP at reducing nitrogen leaching below the crop rooting zone? Farmer Adoption of SBR/RP On farm studies for use as demonstration sites NWFWMD is providing cost share funds for 9 farmers to enroll up to 160 acres each under a grass rotation system Precision agriculture in SBR Precision mapping to establish management zones Variable rate irrigation Using UAVs to inform fertilizer and water management

7 Evaluation of Sod based Rotation Rotational Production as a BMP Suwannee Valley Ag Extension Center Charles Barrett et al. Measure the effectiveness of RP in reducing N inputs and irrigation water use over a 16 years Bahia, peanut, corn, carrot and other vegetable crops NFREC Marianna Josee Dubeaux et al. Use of cover crops and grazing management on row cropland to reduce groundwater N Cattle stocking rates, replacing soluble N fertilizer in cool season with forage legumes NFREC Marianna David Wright et al. Using precision mapping, variable rate irrigation and unmanned aerial vehicles to inform precision fertilization and water management On farm in Jackson Blue Springs Basin A Albertin et al. Measure the effectiveness of SBR in reducing N inputs Off research station demonstration and monitoring site

8 On farm monitoring study Jackson Blue Springs Basin We will work with a farmer receiving SBR cost share from the NWFWMD How effective is SBR at reducing nitrogen leaching below the crop rooting zone? 4 year paired field comparison: Side by side SBR vs Conventional Peanut Cotton Cotton production All under the same 120 acre center pivot Other parameters: Soil nutrients and organic matter Shallow and deep soil cores (to 18 ft) Water use Yields

9 Veris soil mapping to establish management zones Using EC as primary variable (ms/m); OM and ph also mapped Electrical conductivity is correlated to soil texture Texture correlated to waterholding capacity, OM, CEC Sands: low EC, low waterholding capacity, low OM content Clays: higher EC, higher waterholding capacity, and higher OM content. Soil mapping used to guide water and fertilizer management Mackowiak et al Next Generation BMPs, FDACS

10 How will we monitor N leaching? Decagon drain gauges NO 3, NH 4, TKN Soil cores NO 3, NH 4, TKN N budget

11 Soil sampling Shallow cores (0 6, 6 12, 12 24, 24 36, and ) Deep soil cores 4 to 18 ft. Geoprobe, sampling every foot Nutrients (including NO 3, NH 4 ) and OM

12 Why are we interested in deep soil cores? Mackowiak et al Next Generation BMPs: Soil mapping enhancements via Veris MSP3. FDACS

13 Extension opportunities on SBR/RP sites Demonstration sites and field days Sites in different regions and soils Making an effort to collect similar data on SBR/RP sites that can be compared Dryland farmers NWFWMD SBR cost share

14 Thank you!