Agriculture and water quality

Michael Plumer

Consultant/Farmer

Conservation Agriculture

Michael Plumer

Consultant/Farmer

Conservation Agriculture
Water Quality Issues

• Agriculture and sustainability

• Sediment

• Nutrients

– Nitrogen

– Phosphorus

• Lack of water quality research on farm

• Regulations without basis or applied research

• Need to target priority watersheds

• conservation programs
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U.S. Corn Yields

Source: NASS, USDA.
NASS data-Illinois

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1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010

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ertilizer A

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Crop Year

Pounds of Commercial Fertilizer Applied

per Bushel of Corn Produced

#P/Bu.

#K/Bu.

#N/Bu.

Status of Illinois
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Nitrogen Use per Bushel of Corn Produced

Source: Computed by The Fertilizer Institute from data reported by USDA.

- 33%
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Phosphate Use per Bushel of Corn Produced

Source: Computed by The Fertilizer Institute from data reported by USDA.

- 55%
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Potash Use per Bushel of Corn Produced

Source: Computed by The Fertilizer Institute from data reported by USDA.

- 56%
Nitrogen Issues

• Illinois 37% fall applied anhydrous ammonia

– Time saving

– Risk reduction to farmer

– Issue with nitrogen inhibitor and soil temperature

– Large cost to Illinois industry infrastructure ($2 

Billion)

• Spring and sidedress- weather issues

– Anhydrous ammonia or liquid.. Some dry

• I use all sidedress liquid 32% N
Issues of Spring Nitrogen

• More expensive 

– Spring cost $100+/ton more than fall

– Anhydrous $.52/pound N

– Liquid 32% $.68/pound N

• High risk to get all the acres covered

• 4 wet springs delayed planting and application

– Delays may require liquid or dry nitrogen 

application

– Delays reduce corn yields
What I am doing

• Use of Best Management Practices

–Waterways

– Buffer strips

–Nutrient management plans—zone sample

– Sidedress nitrogen

– 100% no-till since 1980

– Cover crops

–Wetland/wildlife

– Riparian area
How operation is affected by

conservation practices

• Increased cost/ increased risk 

– Higher level of management and risk

– Increased equipment costs-planters, sprayers, 

maintenance equipment

– Fertilizer application– time, place, rate and source 

• Increased risk of timely application by specialized 

equipment in wet spring conditions

– Increased land cost due to acres idled

– Increased practice maintenance –time and equipment

– More landlord issues/ potential land loss

– Lack of usable conservation programs
Issues

• Huge differences in Conservation program rules 

and administration state to state

• Need for conservation programs and standards 

that use sound agronomic principles

• Access to specialized equipment –cost or rental

– Nitrogen application

– Planting

– Cover crop-- no-till drills

• Knowledge of management needed
Practical approach to conservation

which leads to better water quality

• Establish policies that:

– Provides practical incentives for more 

voluntary conservation adoption

– Accurately measure the impact of 

conservation practices on water quality

– Provide regulatory relief to producers who 

are actively working toward a reduction in 

nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment loads
Illinois Water Quality Initiative

• Agriculture groups and farmers developed 

water quality program

• Provides education and research for voluntary 

adoption

• Funded by farmers and ag industry

• Targeted state wide and priority watersheds
• Education program to reduce nutrient losses

• Provide education programs to farmers, 

suppliers, youth and communities

• Dedicate resources to nutrient research and 

Best Management Practices validation

– Critical to developing practices to reduce nutrient 

losses

• Totally funded by farmers and industry
schedule

• 2011

– Develop self funding program for research and 

education--- SB2010

• Forms the Nutrient Research and Education Council to 

develop the education and research program

• Replaces the Fertilizer Research and Education Council

• Implement and administer funds, projects and 

programs

• Bill and Program blocked by Illinois Legislature
SB 2010 Supporters

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency

Illinois Chapter of Sierra Club

Environmental Law Policy Center 

Illinois Department of Agriculture

Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association

Illinois Farm Bureau

Illinois Corn Growers Association

Illinois Soybean Association

Illinois Seed Trade Association

Illinois Association of Drainage Districts

Grain & Feed Association of Illinois
Questions?

Farmers are concerned about

water quality for the future