Agriculture and the Changing Climate: Resilience in Uncertain Times Kim McCracken NRCS State Soil Scientist November 7, 2015

Climate change models Knowledge about the complexities of climate system and weather extremes greatly improved Global, continental and regional models are most reliable - in that order What does that mean for your agricultural operation?

Changing Climate??? increased variability Temperature Average temperature in many areas is expect to rise max temps will be higher low temps will be lower Precipitation no simple pattern of change Uncertainty is the only guarantee

Issues on farms: Flooding Drought Heat Stress Insects, weeds, disease Soil erosion Soil compaction Loss of soil productivity Increased energy and other inputs

Common Adaptation Strategies Change planting and harvest dates Change varieties grown Increase water, fertilizer - support bigger plants Increase herbicide and pesticide use –new weeds and pests Diversify crop species or livestock produced Change management, find new markets New irrigation (drought) or drainage systems (flood), heating and cooling Less More Risk/capital investment

Other Strategies – less common Energy – conservation and production Soil health

On-farm energy production Solar power Small wind turbines Fuel crops and biodiesel Anaerobic digesters Small scale hydropower Geothermal

Energy - conservation ENERGY AUDIT – know the flow! Optimize building insulation and ventilation Replace/maintain heating, cooling and irrigation systems Reduce fuel consumption Minimize use of energy intensive inputs Maple – reverse osmosis and pan pre-heaters Greenhouses – shade curtains and ventilation fans

What happens when you treat soil like DIRT ? Soil erosion and runoff Poor seedling emergence and stand establishment Increased disease and pest damage Nutrient deficiencies Water ponding in fields and barnyards

Back to Basics: Soil composition Why is this important?

Managing Soil Soil texture/mineral portion is inherent The rest of the soil is dynamic and highly dependent on management activities

Soil Health The continued capacity of the soil to function as a vital living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals, and humans Energize with diversity Minimize soil disturbance Maximize living roots Keep soil covered

Key points for today Disturbance Cover crops

Soil Disturbances Impact Soil Health Physical Tillage Compaction Biological Lack of Plant Diversity Over grazing Chemical Misuse of fertilizer, pesticides, manures and soil amendments

What things change when you stop disturbing the soil? Soil pores remain continuous Soil aggregates form and are not destroyed Soil food web increases and diversifies Water is captured and stored Bulk density increases slightly; then stabilizes Close the nutrient cycle with addition of (green) manures Need fewer (if any) inputs!

Benefits of cover crops Add organic matter and nutrients Keep soil covered – reduce erosion Add diversity – food web and disease/pests Improve porosity and reduce compaction Shade – water retention and temperature control

Cover Crops Aerial Seeding Less labor Less field passes Earlier seeding Less seed-soil contact Need more seed Shade and dry soils are issues Timing not in under your control Traditional seeding Do it yourself (usually) labor More field traffic Later seeding – specialized equipment Better seed soil contact Less seed needed You control timing based on site conditions Better results, if it happens…

Forest SOM = 4.3 % 17 yr- Soybean monoculture SOM = 1.6 % 20 cm layer Management Changes Soil Properties & Capacity of Soil to Function 62.8% loss of SOM after 17 yr intensive tillage

Agricultural soils do not have a water erosion/runoff problem, they have a water infiltration problem.

Your soil and management are site specific

Changing Climate and Agriculture Take home messages Goal is to increase resilience – temperature and precipitation fluctuations Try new things that fit your farm Continue to learn and grow! Field days, workshops and other resources Site specific advice Energy Audit Conservation Plan Business Plan Soil Health Assessments

Kim McCracken