# CONSERVATION TREATMENT EFFECTS

## Level I Analysis

**Oregon Farm**

**Conservation Management Unit** – Dairy Farm, Irrigated Cropland, Manure Application, 160 acres

Crop Rotation: 2 Years: Corn Silage, 2 Years: Grass/Legume Silage.

**CONSERVATION TREATMENT: RMS#1** - Intensified crop rotation, improved waste application and fertilizer management.  Filter strips at field edges and streambank protection.

**RESOURCE PROBLEMS:** Surface water quality from nutrients and animal wastes.  Potential N leaching below root zone.  Low yields and potential grass tetany problem from excess K.  Streambank erosion.

**POSITIVE EFFECTS +**

**NEGATIVE EFFECTS -**

+ Domestic animal feed requirements improved due to decrease in potential grass tetany problem

+ Less labor required, less time spent hauling and spreading dry manure

+ Plant yields increase for corn and grass/legume silage

+ Nutrient management improves plant management and yields

+ Streambank erosion is reduced

+ Aquatic habitat for fish and wildlife is improved

+ Potential for excess nutrients leaching to groundwater is reduced

+ Commercial fertilizer (N,P) use is reduced

+ Surface loss of nutrients, organics and pathogens is reduced

- Increased cost, time and labor for soil tests and

waste analyses

- Increased labor and machinery time during February, March and April to haul and spread dry manure

- Upgrade to larger capacity manure spreader

- Install filter strips

- Lost crop production to filter strip acres

- Install streambank protection

- Operation, maintenance and repair costs for installed improvements

**CONSERVATION TREATMENT EFFECTS**

# Level II Analysis

**Oregon Farm**

**Conservation Management Unit** – Dairy Farm, Irrigated Cropland, Manure Application, 160 acres

Crop Rotation: 2 Years: Corn Silage, 2 Years: Grass/Legume Silage.

**CONSERVATION TREATMENT: RMS#1** – Intensified crop rotation, improved waste application and fertilizer mgt.  Filter strips at field edges and streambank protection.

**RESOURCE PROBLEMS:** Surface water quality from nutrients and animal wastes.  Potential N leaching below root zone.  Low yields and potential grass tetany problem from excess K.  Streambank erosion.

**POSITIVE EFFECTS +**

**NEGATIVE EFFECTS -**

+ Fertilizer (K) reduced by 87Lbs/Ac results in less grass tetany problem 

+ Labor/Equipment time reduced 40 hours annually to haul/spread dry manure

+ Plant production increases:

     .50 Ton/Ac Corn Silage

     .25 Ton/Ac Grass/Legume Silage

+ Streambank erosion reduced 36 Tons/Yr

+ N and P fertilizer application reduced

      N 60Lbs/Ac/Yr 

      P  17Lbs/Ac/Yr

+ Reduced cost of fertilizer - $39/Ac

+ Cost Share Payment

      Wastes/Nutrient Management - $5/Ac

      Filter Strips - $300

      Streambank Protection - $2,500

-  Cost of soil/manure testing and management -

     $7/Ac/Yr

-  Upgrade to larger capacity manure spreader -

     $7,000

-  Increased cost for dry manure application

     $2/Ac/Yr

- N fertilizer cost on grass/legume silage $6/Ac

- 2 acres lost crop production to install filter strips

- Install 2 acres filter strips  -  $400

     Annual O&M  -  $50/Yr

- Install streambank protection  -  $4,500

     Annual  O&M   -  $150/Yr

**CONSERVATION TREATMENT EFFECTS**

# Level III Analysis

**Oregon Farm**

**Conservation Management Unit** – Dairy Farm, Irrigated Cropland, Manure Application, 160 acres

Crop Rotation: 2 Years: Corn Silage, 2 Years: Grass/Legume Silage.

**CONSERVATION TREATMENT: RMS#1** - Intensified crop rotation, improved waste application and fertilizer mgt.  Filter strips at field edges and streambank protection.

**RESOURCE PROBLEMS:** Surface water quality from nutrients and animal wastes.  Potential N leaching below root zone.  Low yields and potential grass tetany problem from excess K.  Streambank erosion.

**POSITIVE EFFECTS +**

**NEGATIVE EFFECTS -**

+ Excess fertilizer (K) reduced, less grass tetany

     87Lbs/Ac/Yr * $.16/Lb * 160Acres  = $2,227/Yr

+ Less Grass Tetany, Lower Veterinary Costs

     $500/Yr

+ Labor/Equipment reduced to haul/spread manure 

     120 Hours/Year * $15/Hour = $1,800/Yr

+ Plant production increases:

     Corn Silage: 

          .50 T/Ac/Yr * 160 Ac *  $50/Ton = $4,000/Yr

     Grass/Legume Silage:

          .25 T/Ac/Yr * 160 Ac * $40/Ton = $1,600/Yr

+ Streambank Erosion Reduced 36 Tons/Yr

+ Fertilizer Application Reduced:

     N 60 Lbs/Ac/Yr * 160Ac =  9,600Lbs/Yr

     P 17 Lbs/Ac/Yr * 160Ac =  2,720Lbs/Yr

+ Reduced cost of fertilizer Application

     $39/Ac * 160Ac =  $6,240/Yr

+ Cost Share Payment

     Wastes/Nutrient Management =

          $5/Ac/Yr * 160 = $800  (5Yrs)

     Filter Strips = $300

     Streambank Protection = $2,500

**Installation Benefit = $2,800**

**Amortized Benefit 8%, 20 Yr =      $285/Yr**

**Annual Benefits =                            $17,167/Yr**

**$17,452/Yr**

- Cost of soil/manure testing and management

     $7/Ac/Yr * 160 Acres = $1,120/Yr

- Upgrade to larger capacity manure spreader

     = $7,000

- Increased cost for dry manure application

     $2/Ac/Yr * 160 Acres = $320/Yr

- N fertilizer cost on grass/legume silage 

     $6/Ac * 160 Acres = $960/Yr

- Lost crop production to install filter strips

     2 Acres * $200/Ac/Yr Income = $400/Yr

- Install 2 acres filter strips  -  $400

     Annual O&M = $50/Yr

- Install streambank protection 

= $4,500

       Annual  O&M = $150/Yr

**Installation Cost = $11,900**

**Amortized Cost 8%, 20 Yr = $1,212/Yr**

**Annual Cost =                              $3,000/Yr**

**$4,212/Yr**