Lechtenberg - Edge of Field Monitoring's Role

Iowa Water Quality InitiativeIOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE & LAND STEWARDSHIP

Edge-of-Field Monitoring’s Role in the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy

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IOWA NUTRIENT REDUCTION STRATEGY BACKGROUND

• NPS and PS communities working together for common goal• ~36M acres in Iowa ~90% in agricultural use, ~24M acres in row crops

• 99 major municipalities and 31 industries• Feasibility studies, including monitoring.

• Science Assessment• Practices with documented impact on nutrient loss for Iowa conditions.

• Gilmore City, other research farms• Scale of implementation to achieve goals

• EOF monitoring important to confirm results and target implementation and continue to guide NRS implementation.


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Nitrogen moves primarily as nitrate-N with water Phosphorus moves primarily with eroded soil

NitrogenPractices

PhosphorusPractices


VALUE OF EOF MONITORING

• Program Development• Program standards and specs• FA & TA

• Guide Implementation • Targeted, maximize reductions• Tangible results for producers/program managers/etc to make informed decisions

• Targeted implementation to maximize results• Show results/progress

• More responsive, impactful, controlled• Facilitate farmer/landowner engagement and recognition• Information leads to innovation and improved efficiency.


PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

• Buffers• Riparian Buffers• STRIPs

• Improved nutrient efficiency/mgmt.• Cover crops – impactful for N & P

• Increased focus due to results and better understanding of impacts

• Saturated buffers/bioreactors – known limitation to traditional practice, provides opportunity to enhance/add value to common practice(s)

• Wetlands – disproportionate benefit to targeted locations

Photo courtesy of Lynn Betts


STRIPs

= reconstructed prairie

= row crops

0% 10% 10% 20%

*Strategic placement of buffers can provide disproportional benefits.


GUIDE IMPLEMENTATION

• WQI projects w/ Iowa Soybean Association and local SWCDs• AND Farmer engagement and buy‐in

Courtesy of Iowa Soybean Association


SHOW IMPACT / CONFIRM RESULTS

• Show impacts of current mgmt. • Provide results of reductions for individual or groups of practices to

augment traditional reporting documentation ($ spent, practices installed, etc.)

• Responsive results due to implementation• Influenced by cooperators, less variables


FARMER ENGAGEMENT & RECOGNITION

• Tim Smith• Recently recognized as a “White House Champion of Change”

• 1 of 12 nationally to receive award• All started with EOF monitoring on his farm through Iowa Soybean Assoc. and NRCS‐MRBI program

• Rob Stout – watershed and state leader in conservationIn 2015, the newly installed bioreactor (1st in the county) removed about 64% of the nitrate leaving Rob’s field.

“My contractor has been building terraces and installing tile for us for the past 30 years. He had never built one before. It was a learning process for all of us, but I’m very pleased with the results .”


ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT

• Continue to learn and adapt to conditions that improve the function and efficiency of these practices.

• Achieve multiple benefits

• Wetland example• Maximize pool area to improve

removal• Incorporate measures to divert flow

and increase residence time and maximize treatment area

• Enhanced pollinator and other species habitat


WETLANDS

SUMMARY


• EOF Monitoring has been and will continue to be a critical component for the advancement of the Iowa NRS.

• Pair the best “in‐field” and “off‐field” practices together for cumulative effect

• Build capacity to deliver practices through expanded partnerships & innovative delivery

• Target and capture multiple benefits in delivery of conservation practices.

• Advance programming that provides information and resources to farmers and landowners to make informed decisions of management practices.

• Seek acceleration of existing conservation programs & development of new technology and market driven approaches


ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONwww.nutrientstrategy.iastate.edu

www.CleanWaterIowa.org

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Matt LechtenbergWater Quality Initiative Coordinator(515) [email protected]

Will MyersWater Quality Initiative Projects Coordinator(515) [email protected]

Environment

Lechtenberg - Edge of Field Monitoring's Role