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ODA releases new
nutrient management tools
Ohio Applicator Forecast and Agricultural Stewardship Verification
Program will help all Ohioans work to improve water quality…
REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio (May 18, 2017) – The Ohio Department of Agriculture
(ODA) has introduced two new nutrient management tools. The Ohio
Applicator Forecast is a new online tool designed to help nutrient
applicators identify times when the potential nutrient loss from a
fertilizer or manure application is low. The Ohio Agricultural
Stewardship Verification Program is a pilot certification for farmers
who protect farmland and natural resources by implementing best
management practices on their farms. ODA announced these developments
at an event at Drewes Farms in Custar, Ohio on May 17th, 2017.
“ODA firmly believes science and technology must be at the forefront of
all water quality issues and these new and innovative tools are
impactful steps that will merge the ideas of precision farming and
precision conservation,” said ODA Director David T. Daniels. “The
agricultural community continues to take the necessary steps to
maintain agricultural productivity, while protecting our natural
resources and reducing nutrient runoff to improve water quality in Lake
Erie and surrounding waterways.”
The Ohio Applicator Forecast takes data from the National Weather
Service, predicting potential for runoff to occur in a given area. The
forecast takes snow accumulation and melt, soil moisture content and
forecast precipitation and temperatures into account, giving farmers
substantial information when they are making nutrient application
decisions.
“The National Weather Service is excited to work with Ohio in their
efforts to help farmers reduce nutrient runoff across the Midwest,”
said Brian Astifan, the Development and Operations Hydrologist with the
National Weather Service Ohio River Forecast Center in Wilmington,
Ohio. “We believe Ohio’s partnership with several federal agencies and
educational institutions to develop this decision-support tool will
benefit farmers and ultimately work towards improving Ohio’s water
quality.”
The Ohio Agricultural Stewardship Verification Program will certify
farmers in targeted watersheds in Henry and Wood counties who apply and
meet criteria developed by ODA’s Division of Soil and Water
Conservation. Criteria for the certification include developed nutrient
management plans, accurate soil tests and documented best management
practices, among others. The program will begin as a pilot with an
intention to expand the program to all of Ohio.
“We are excited to be one of the first farms in Ohio to prove our
commitment to improving water quality through this verification
program,” said Tyler Drewes of Drewes Farms. “Farming as many acres as
we do in the Western Lake Erie Basin region, we know we play a very
important role in the long-term improvement of the lake’s water
quality. We want to be part of the solution and this program will help
farmers toward that goal.”
ODA will continue to reach out to farmers and applicators in the coming
months to make them aware of these new and beneficial tools. Those
interested in applying for the Agricultural Stewardship Verification
Program can visit their local Soil and Water Conservation District
office to find out how to become involved. For the Ohio Applicator
Forecast, individuals can visit
http://agri.ohio.gov/divs/plant/OhioApplicatorForecast/oaf.aspx.
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