“AerWay No Till on Highly Erodible Lands” July 1, 2011 – June 30, 2012 Capital RC&D Council Hammond, La.

Problem Statement East Baton Rouge, East & West Feliciana, St. Helena, Livingston and Tangipahoa in Southeast La, have a large number of HEL Soils. East Baton Rouge, East & West Feliciana, St. Helena, Livingston and Tangipahoa in Southeast La, have a large number of HEL Soils. There are approximately 225,000 acres in production. About 30 percent are disked in the winter for preparation of ryegrass and wheat crops. There are approximately 225,000 acres in production. About 30 percent are disked in the winter for preparation of ryegrass and wheat crops.

Opening Ceremony August 30, 2011 August 30, 2011 Kentwood CO-Op, Spring Creek CO-Op & Tri-Parish CO-Op Kentwood CO-Op, Spring Creek CO-Op & Tri-Parish CO-Op

Disking on HEL Soils Is causing excessive soil erosion and runoff of nutrients and pesticides. Is causing excessive soil erosion and runoff of nutrients and pesticides. This process is leading to Water Quality problems in near by streams and lakes throughout the Florida Parishes. This process is leading to Water Quality problems in near by streams and lakes throughout the Florida Parishes.

Objective of Project To make available three AerWay Implements for use in the Florida Parishes through a landowners rental program. To make available three AerWay Implements for use in the Florida Parishes through a landowners rental program.

Goal To allow landowners an opportunity to plant directly into an established sod without disking. Reducing the amount of fertilizer applied and improving water infiltration through the root zone. To allow landowners an opportunity to plant directly into an established sod without disking. Reducing the amount of fertilizer applied and improving water infiltration through the root zone.

Benefits Erosion control on Highly Erodible Soils and Improved Water Quality Erosion control on Highly Erodible Soils and Improved Water Quality Lower the estimated annual soil loss from as high as 10 tons per acre loss to as low as 1 ton per acre or less. Lower the estimated annual soil loss from as high as 10 tons per acre loss to as low as 1 ton per acre or less. Better utilization of applied fertilizer (nutrient management) Better utilization of applied fertilizer (nutrient management)

Accomplish To Date, 2003 acres of HEL soils renovated in twelve months

Summary Review: Three pieces of AerWay equipment purchased for $31,500, with a in-kind match of $116,888. Three pieces of AerWay equipment purchased for $31,500, with a in-kind match of $116,888. Forty two landowners rented the equipment for use on 2003 acres. Forty two landowners rented the equipment for use on 2003 acres. Sedimentation, Turbidity, Dissolved Oxygen, Total Dissolved Solids, Fecal Coliform and Total Suspended Solids were all listed as impairing watersheds and were addressed through this 319 rental program. Sedimentation, Turbidity, Dissolved Oxygen, Total Dissolved Solids, Fecal Coliform and Total Suspended Solids were all listed as impairing watersheds and were addressed through this 319 rental program.

Reduction Estimates Using a 30 % NPK improvement has lead to a reduction of 60,090 units of Nitrogen, and 43,263 units of Phosphorus and Potassium Using a 30 % NPK improvement has lead to a reduction of 60,090 units of Nitrogen, and 43,263 units of Phosphorus and Potassium Soil Erosion using RUSLE2- has lead to a reduction of 15,623 tons of top soil per acre per year. Soil Erosion using RUSLE2- has lead to a reduction of 15,623 tons of top soil per acre per year. These estimates were achieved from changing landowner’s methods of seed bed preparation, from clean tilled to reduced tillage, reducing the amount of fertilizer applied and improving utilization by allowing moisture movement through the root zone. These estimates were achieved from changing landowner’s methods of seed bed preparation, from clean tilled to reduced tillage, reducing the amount of fertilizer applied and improving utilization by allowing moisture movement through the root zone.