Potential for Reducing Nitrogen Pollution Through Improved Agronomic Practices (original) (raw)
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The magnitude of current nutrient losses from agriculture to ground and surface water calls for effective environmental policy, including the use of regulation. Nutrient loss is experienced in many countries despite differences in the organisation and intensity of agricultural production. However, at present there is no internationally agreed practice to assess the effectiveness of different kinds of regulatory practice and compliance level, or to make effective comparisons. There is a wide variety of indicators available for this purpose, ranging from livestock density and input-ouput balances to nutrient concentrations in soil and water. This paper explores the effectiveness and efficiency of the different indicators, both in terms of achieving a single objective and a comprehensive set of objectives and evaluates how responsive and attributable these indicators are to changes in farm management.
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Nutrient enrichment of water resources has degraded coastal waters throughout the world, including in the United States (e.g., Chesapeake Bay, Gulf of Mexico, and Neuse Estuary). Agricultural nonpoint sources have significant impacts on water resources. As a result, nutrient management planning is the primary tool recommended to reduce nutrient losses from agricultural fields. Its effectiveness requires nutrient management plans be used by farmers. There is little literature describing nutrient management decision-making. Here, two case studies are described that address this gap: (i) a synthesis of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, the Conservation Effects Assessment Project, and (ii) field surveys from three nutrient-impaired river basins/ watersheds in North Carolina (Neuse, Tar-Pamlico, and Jordan Lake drainage areas). Results indicate farmers generally did not fully apply nutrient management plans or follow basic soil test recommendations even when they had them. Farmers were found to be hesitant to apply N at university-recommended rates because they did not trust the recommendations, viewed abundant N as insurance, or used recommendations made by fertilizer dealers. Exceptions were noted when watershed education, technical support, and funding resources focused on nutrient management that included easing management demands, actively and consistently working directly with a small group of farmers, and providing significant resource allocations to fund agency personnel and cost-share funds to farmers. Without better dialogue with farmers and meaningful investment in strategies that reward farmers for taking what they perceive as risks relative to nutrient reduction, little progress in true adoption of nutrient management will be made.
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Nonpoint sources of water pollutants, in particular, nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, are increasingly a focus of US water pollution policy. In most cases, agriculture is the largest contributor of these pollutants, in part because, until recently, it has largely remained unregulated. Recently, however, a number of initiatives have targeted nutrient runoff and leaching from animal agriculture. Many states have
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Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, 2012
The importance of nutrient management plans (NMPs) in mitigating the impact of farm-based nutrient applications on the environment is widely acknowledged. However, despite years of promotion by agencies, most farmers still have not developed a NMP. Those plans that have been developed vary in quality and in the degree to which they are actually implemented. Although effective tools have emerged to aid plan development, the planning process remains time and resource intensive. In addition, information about NMPs and actual nutrient application rates generally is not available to resource managers who address water quality issues. This study examines changes in nutrient management behaviors and perceptions among 259 farmers, who participated in a multisession educational workshop series focused on understanding and developing NMPs. Based on structured interviews with farmers before and again one to three years after the workshops, the study finds that farmers are developing NMPs, understanding their plans, and also changing nutrient application rates (both increasing and decreasing). After implementing their NMPs, a strong majority (69%) of the participants believe that their plan has saved them money with no negative effect on yield. Three main findings hold implications for broader water quality and land conservation programs: (1) NMP education courses can lead to changes in farmer nutrient management behaviors, not always toward reducing nutrients; (2) farmers acknowledge challenges in fully implementing their plans, yet a high percentage (82%) indicate that they follow their plan on most (>76%) of their land; and (3) there is a need for accessible approaches to measure and track nutrient management behaviors separate from NMPs and in cases where they do not exist.