USDA Study Reveals 4R Practices Showing Results in Western Lake Erie Basin

Source: The Fertilizer Institute

A new study released by USDA shows that voluntary adoption and use of conservation practices, including 4R nutrient stewardship, is showing results in the Western Lake Erie Basin. The Fertilizer Institute provided an overview of the report, while also recognizing Ohio farmers and their retailer as 4R Advocates.

The Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP) report assessed conservation and nutrient management practices and adoption on cropland acres and was used to model environmental outcomes.

According to TFI, the report highlights the role of the 4Rs in conservation planning and is an indication that farmers and their advisors are responding and adapting to conditions in the watershed. It is also an indication that voluntary practices are working; the report shows that adopted practices are leading to marked differences in the amount of sediment and nutrient losses in the WLEB.

In the report, NRCS notes that a comprehensive conservation plan must include the 4Rs eachyear on each crop in order for conservation benefits to be achieved and persist, and that 4R adoption in WLEB is especially important where dissolved nutrients are an ecological concern.

Specific results related to the 4Rs include the following:

• Manure nutrients have a small impact on total nutrient applications – both in acres and rates applied, with only 9 percent of cropland acres receiving manure in 2012 with an average of 34.6 pounds of nitrogen and 7 pounds of phosphorus per acre.
• Between 2003-2006 and 2012, there was a marked increase in the adoption of application methods in which each nitrogen application is incorporated; acres of incorporation increased from 29 to 43 percent.
• More nitrogen was removed at harvest than was applied as fertilizer on 22 percent of the acres.
• There is an opportunity to improve nitrogen application timing on acres in the watershed.
• In 2003-2006 and 2012, split nitrogen applications occurred on 51 and 63 percent of the acres, respectively.
• Between 2003-2006 and 2012, the use of a nitrogen inhibitor increased from 8 to 30 percent of acres.
• Between 2003-2006 and 2012, there was a marked increase in the adoption of application methods in which each phosphorus application is incorporated; acres with incorporation increased from 45 to 60 percent. Broadcast without incorporation fell from 55 to 40 percent.
• In 2003-2006 and 2012, 52 and 58 percent of acres received less phosphorus than was removed with harvest, respectively.
• In 2003-2006 and 2012, 66 and 71 percent of cropland acres had a soil nutrient test in the last five years.
• GPS mapping of soil properties increased from use on 8 to 36 percent of cropland acres between 2003-2006 and 2012.
• Between 2003-2006 and 2012, variable rate application increased from 4 to 14 percent of WLEB acres.
• The majority of cropland acres are managed with moderately high or high nutrient management levels for both nitrogen and phosphorus.

While this report has good news regarding conservation efforts in WLEB, TFI maintains that 4R efforts must continue to maintain progress.

TFI recently recognized farmers Lowell and David Myerholtz, of Gibsonburg, Ohio, and their retailer John Fritz, of The Andersons in Fremont, Ohio, as 4R Advocates. The Myerholtz’s farm is located about 30 miles from Toledo, in the WLEB. Their efforts provide an excellent example of the types of practices that contribute to the improved quality of the WLEB, evidenced in the CEAP report.

Read the post about the Myerhotlz farm, Fritz and their efforts, along with TFI’s overview of the report here.