irrigation scheduling and outreach to protect groundwater quality - stuewe
TRANSCRIPT
Irrigation Outreach & On Farm Nitrogen Management in Central MN
A response to Nitrogen Concerns in a Challenging Landscape
2015 Soil & Water Conservation Society Conference
Luke Stuewe | Soil Scientist
MN Department of Agriculture – Detroit Lakes, MN
• Why Do This Here? – Vulnerable Groundwater, Nitrogen Concerns, Ag Landuse
• Overview of the Project– Irrigation Outreach
• Winter Workshops• Ag Weather Stations
– On Farm Nitrogen Management Program
• Have We Accomplished Anything?
An Overview…
Sensitive Groundwater
• Glacial activity relates…
So….what do we know about nitrogen in drinking water here?
Map developed by MPCA
First…..A National Perspective
Central MN: Elevated GW Nitrogen Levels
1,555 wells
Nitrate Results
2011Domestic
(1555 wells)
2012Domestic
(502 wells)
< 3 mg/L 88.6% 89%
3-10 mg/L 6.8% 8%
> 10 mg/L 4.6% 3%
Important Factors: Construction, Depth, & Age
An Agricultural Landscape
• Agricultural presence makes sense
• Landscape characteristics present challenges….
• Our project seeks to help producers meet these challenges
Irrigation Expansion
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 20140
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
Water Use Apps
Apps for Major Crop Irrigation
Applicatio
ns Tripled
& Concentration
www.isafarmnet.com
Area Resource Concerns fit for the Project
Sensitive Groundwater(MPCA)
Agricultural Landuse(DNR)
Elevated Nitrate Levels(MDA)
Project Boundary
Central MN Irrigation Outreach
On-Farm Adaptive Nitrogen Management
• Irrigation Forum• Winter Workshops• Tools & Technology• Scheduling Program• Local Weather Stations
• Tools to Evaluate Nitrogen Use on Corn
• In-Season Imagery• Basal Stalk Testing• Annual Winter Meeting
What is Involved in Our Project
Education in Response to ExpansionWinter Workshops
Scheduling Program
Weather Stations
Soil Moisture Assessment
Local ET Data
Groundwater Model Irrigation Forum
(Held in March 2011)
Irrigation Workshops
2011 2012 2013 2014 20150
1
2
3
4Number of Workshops
Irrigation Workshops
Topics Covered- Irrigation Water Scheduling- ET Information Sources- Soil Moisture Assessment- Nitrogen Management- Area Groundwater Concerns
www.agweathernetwork.com
Central MN Ag Weather Network
Irrigators
2014 Irrigation Workship Survey | HighlightsOver 17,000 irrigated acres managed by workshop participants
Said YES!Irrigators
Use Central MN Ag Weather Network in 2014
2014 Irrigation Workship Survey | Highlights
Irrigation Nitrogen
Also asked whether the workshop provided information that would help them more efficiently manage irrigation water and nitrogen
in the 2014 growing season
On Farm Nitrogen Management…
Adaptive Concept The Difference | Addition Information
- In-Season Imagery - Stalk Nitrate Test
GOAL: Improve Nitrogen Use Efficiency
for CORN
Expanded across the Corn Belt
Including:• Minnesota• Illinois• Indiana• Ohio• Pennsylvania• Maryland• Delaware • North Carolina • Virginia• Missouri After 2 Yrs >80% Growers Have
Changed Their Nitrogen Management
A Possible “Win - Win” Opportunity….
AND
In-field DataIn-Season ImageryWell Documented Stalk Test
Reduce Risk of Nitrogen Loss to G.W.
Increase Nitrogen Use Efficiency
&
Innovative Producers
$N loss & =
What Exactly is Involved??June |
June-July |
August |
Sept-Oct |
Dec-Feb |
Participants asked to sign up before the end of June (Limited)
Field management data & boundaries are collected
Aerial imagery is collected for each field
Basal stalk samples are collected
A winter meeting is held to share results*** ZERO COST***
to enroll one field
Shows nozzle problems
Shows overlap with fertigation
In-Season Aerial Imagery ~ Pivot Example
flown in:AUGUST
Spatial Extent & Participation
23 Growers
52 Fields
2 Counties
44 Growers
53 Fields
4 Counties
41 Growers
44 Fields
4 Counties
58 Growers
65 Fields
4 Counties
2011 2012 20142013
Over 10,000 acres managed by program participants
2013 Meeting Survey | Highlights
Participants that are makingnitrogen management changes
based on the program
2014 Meeting Survey | Highlights
Participants that are makingnitrogen management changes
based on the program
Over 10,000 acres managed by program participants
Nitrogen Rate Change Over the Projects Life
Summary
• Area resource concerns fit this project• Precise water & nitrogen use is critical• Strong financial support has accelerated program adoption• Positive response from producers• Building partnerships• Providing meaningful tools and information to producers
Thanks for your time…
Luke Stuewe | Soil Scientist
Minnesota Department of Agriculture
218-846-7425