USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Alabama has revised its conservation practice standard on nutrient management.
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Auburn, Ala, October 20, 2014 – State Conservationist Dr. William Puckett today announced that the USDA- Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Alabama has revised its conservation practice standard on nutrient management. This conservation practice standard will help producers manage the application of nutrients on agricultural lands in Alabama. NRCS’ nutrient management experts worked with universities, non-government organizations, industry, and others to revise the standard to ensure it is scientifically sound. “It has been NRCS’ highest priority in revising this conservation practice standard in a way that will provide continued protection of ground and surface water, improve soil health and agriculture sustainability for the State of Alabama,” Puckett said.
The nutrient management conservation practice is an important tool in the NRCS conservation toolbox. The agency’s staff uses this conservation practice to help farmers and ranchers apply their nutrients more efficiently. Proper management of nitrogen and phosphorus, including the use of organic sources of nitrogen such as animal manure, legumes and cover crops, can save producers money. The nutrient management standard provides a roadmap for NRCS’ staff and others to help producers apply available nutrient sources in the right amount, from the right source, in the right place, at the right time for maximum agricultural and environmental benefits.
Key changes are:
Right Amount – The standard includes additional nitrogen recommendations from the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) on expected yield for selected crops. As production practices change and yield expectations improve, NRCS will be better equipped to work with producers to provide nitrogen recommendations that are in line with ACES recommendations.
Right Time – Continues protection of water quality from nitrogen leaching and/or runoff. The updated conservation practice standard clarifies correct timing of nitrogen application to reduce nitrogen loss. As a result, no distinction is made between North Alabama and South Alabama when it comes to nitrogen or litter applications. Nitrogen must be applied within 30 days or less of the planned planting date or within 30 days or less of plant growth for perennial plants that would utilize the applied nitrogen. Timing nitrogen application near the start of plant growth and biomass accumulation will reduce nitrogen loss potential. However, additional split applications of nitrogen may provide more efficient use.
Right Placement – Encourages producers to use Global Positioning Systems (GPS) guidance, rate controllers and auto-swath technology; commonly known as precision application for the correct placement of fertilizer and litter in fields. This application system automatically turns on and off as the spreader approaches previously applied areas or conservation structures such as grass waterways or filter strips.
Right Source – Producers have more flexibility to use commercial fertilizers that can be blended to the needed proportions of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. As a result of the large confined animal industry in the state, producers have access to animal manures and chicken litter. This source of nutrients generally provides equal proportions of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. The updated standard continues to require applications of nitrogen not greater than the current crop needs. However, phosphorus and potassium can be applied in the form of manure/litter in excess of the soil test recommendation after an evaluation of the loss risk. The evaluation of this phosphorus loss risk potential will continue to be evaluated with the “Alabama Phosphorus Index”. If the risk of phosphorus loss is low, then the application of manure/litter can be at a rate to supply the nitrogen needs of the crop. As risk increase, the application is limited by the rate of phosphorus being removed from the field. If the risk is considered very high, no additional phosphorus can be applied until the risk is reduced.
The Alabama phosphorus index has also been revised to account for the current scientific understanding of nutrient loss. Additional management practices that reduce the loss potential have been accounted for within the updated phosphorus index. Producers will have a reduced phosphorus loss risk if they apply manure/litter with precision application equipment, use chemical additives (alum) in poultry houses, (gypsum) in the field to reduce phosphorus solubility, or adopt systems that improve soil health. All of these practices have been included in the updated phosphorus index and provide greater flexibility to producers. Guy Hall, Alabama Farmers Federation Director Dairy, Pork and Poultry Divisions Guy Hall said, “Providing Alabama producers flexibility is the key. Producers in the state want to operate in a way that protects the soil and water resources. By providing the producer with conservation options, they can select practices that will best fit in their operation”.
NRCS offers voluntary technical and financial assistance to producers nationwide for planning and implementing on-farm nutrient management plans. Producers can use this assistance to help meet federal, state, tribal and local environmental regulations.
Visit the NRCS nutrient and pest management webpage to learn more about how nutrient management fits into NRCS’ conservation work.
Interested landowners are encouraged to visit the Alabama eFOTG at http://efotg.sc.egov.usda.gov/ to view the standard and other supporting documents. Contact your local NRCS office to find out more information about conservation planning.