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Nutrient Stewardship
for Cleaner Water
Sam Custer, OSU Extension, Darke County
Nutrient Stewardship for Cleaner Water is a new Signature Program for
OSU Extension which was implemented in 2014.
IMPLEMENTATION
Implementation has been timely; due to the heightened attention on
water quality and nutrient effects in Grand Lake St. Mary’s, Lake Erie
and Ohio River Watersheds, farmer awareness is at an all-time
high. Those who are economic/conservation minded are looking for
Best Management Practices (BMPs) that will keep their nutrients in
their fields. Concerns about mandatory programs in the future, if
voluntary programs are not implemented, are a driver as well.
Private and government sectors have been supportive.
Education is a key component of the signature program. Over 6,000
producers and agri-business persons across Ohio have received water
quality education from 50 OSU Extension Educators with a majority
sharing by survey that they would change their nutrient management
practices as a result of the education meetings.
WATER QUALITY UPDATE
The National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science and the National Centers
for Water Quality Research are providing weekly updates of water
quality in Lake Erie. The updates can be found at
http://www2.nccos.noaa.gov/coast/lakeerie/bulletin/bulletin_current.pdf.
This page can also be found on the signature program web page
http://agnr.osu.edu/programs/natural-resources-environmental/nutrient-stewardship-cleaner-water
.
LEGAL UPDATE
Peggy Hall provided the Nutrient Management Legislation Update at the
ANR Summer Retreat.
New restrictions on fertilizer and manure applications from SB1,
effective July 3, 2015.
Fertilizer application restrictions in the western basin. In the
western basin, a person may not apply fertilizer (defined as nitrogen
or phosphorous) under these conditions.
On snow-covered or frozen soil
When the top two inches of soil are saturated from precipitation
In a granular form when the local weather forecast for the application
area contains greater that a 50% chance of precipitation exceeding one
inch in a twelve-hour period
Exceptions-the above restrictions do not apply if the fertilizer is:
Injected into the ground
Incorporated within 24 hours of surface application
Applied onto a growing crop
Manure application restrictions in the western basin. In the
western basin, a person may not surface apply manure (defined as animal
excreta), under these conditions.
On snow-covered or frozen soil
When the top two inches of soil are saturated from precipitation
In a granular form when the local weather forecast for the application
area contains greater that a 50% chance of precipitation exceeding 1/2
inch in a 24 hour period
Exceptions-the above restrictions do not apply if the manure is:
Injected into the ground
Incorporated within 24 hours of surface application
Applied onto a growing crop
In the event of an emergency the chief of the division of soil and
water resources provides a written consent and the application is in
accordance with NRCS practice standard code 590
Exemptions for small and medium operations. Small and medium
agricultural operations (defined by the number of species, same as ODA
permit program) may apply to the chief of the division of soil and
water resources for a temporary exemption from restrictions on
fertilizer and manure applications.
A medium agricultural operation may be exempt up to July 3, 2016.
A small operation may be exempt up to July 3, 2017
An exempt operation must be working toward compliance, may request
technical assistance to reach compliance, and will not be subject to
civil penalties for violations.
Enforcement. The ODA has the authority to investigate violations of the
above restrictions upon receiving a complaint from any person or
receiving any information that suggest a potential violation. ODA
may assess penalties for violations, which may not exceed $10,000 per
violation.
Certification requirements for any persons using manure from CAFFs
(applies anywhere in Ohio). On 50 acres or more in agricultural
production, no person may apply manure from a concentrated animal
feeding facility with a permit from ODA unless:
The person has been issued livestock manager certification by ODA.
The person has been certified by ODA through the fertilizer applicator
certification program.
RESEARCH UPDATE
Edge of field, small plot research and on farm research continues to be
done by OSU Extension personnel. Nutrient management research is
critical for to be able to continue to educate producers on research
based Best Management Practices.
Research is currently being done to determine nutrient loss from fields
both via the drainage tile and also surface loss. This is being
done under multiple management practices in paired fields and is being
led by Kevin King.
Small plot research continues to be done with multiple inputs to look
at responses to all nutrients. This research is being led the Dr.
Steven Culman and includes field specialists and county educators.
On farm research is being done throughout the state to validate what
has been found in the small plot research. Educators and field
specialists are doing Nitrogen and Phosphorous response plots in an
effort to provide quality research information to Dr. Culman as he
looks at updating the Tristate Fertility Guide.
In Darke County we have five manure side dress plots and a nitrogen
response plot.
BE PART OF THE SOLUTION
For more information about OSU Extension, Darke County, visit the Darke
County OSU Extension web site at www.darke.osu.edu, the OSU Extension
Darke County Facebook page or contact Sam Custer, at 937.548.5215.
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