1. NRCS Conservation Planning Slide 1 Astor BoozerWayne Honeycutt Regional ConservationistDeputy Chief for Science & Technology USDA NRCSUSDA-NRCSWashington, DC

2. Objectives for today - the role of USDA Voluntary Conservation Local - Private Landowners are the Decision Makers Farm Bill Programs – Providing Conservation Incentives Providing Technical Assistance – Science Based Must provide opportunities for ALL producers to go through OBJECTIVE ranking Slide 2

3. NRCS Conservation Planning Help growers plan and implement conservation measures that maintain and improve agricultural, forest & range land, and protect the environment and our natural resources. Work with landowners on a voluntary basis. Use science and experience for making informed decisions. Slide 3

4. Types of NRCS Conservation Programs “Conservation Portfolio” Technical Assistance Easement Programs Financial Assistance Stewardship Program Grants for Innovation Slide 4

5. Technical Assistance Conservation Technical Assistance Program Voluntary Help land owners make sound management decisions Available on private, Tribal and other non- federal lands Protect and improve water quality & quantity Develop sustainable agricultural systems

6. Financial Assistance NRCS Financial Assistance Programs Voluntary Offered to eligible landowners and agricultural producers Contract to provide financial assistance Help with planning and implementation Save energy, improve soil, water, plant, air, animal and related resources on agricultural and non-industrial private forest land

7. Conservation Benefits Soil health Carbon sequestration Water quality Wildlife habitat diversity Improved air quality Scenic amenity Slide 7

8. Make Decisions Evaluate Alternatives Formulate Alternatives Phase I Collection and Analysis Phase II Decision Support Phase III Application & Evaluation Determine Objectives Identify Problems Evaluate the Plan Implement the Plan Analyze Resource Data Inventory Resources Adaptive Management NRCS Planning Process

9. Objectives for today – Science in NRCS Scientific Basis for Conservation Practice Standards Nutrient Management Systems Approach Listen and Learn Slide 9

10. Foundation: Sound Science

11. Technology Acquisition and Development Ecological Sciences Division Conservation Engineering Division (including CIG) National Soil Health & Sustainability Team National Air Quality & Atmospheric Change Team National Manure Management Team National Water Quality & Quantity Team National Plants Data Team National Wildlife Team National Energy Team National Grazing Lands Team National Wetlands Team Technology Transfer National Technology Support Centers (East, Central, West)

13. Tool for Conservation Planning: Conservation Practice Standards (160) All available at: www.nrcs.usda.gov www.nrcs.usda.gov

14. NRCS Conservation Practice Standards establish minimum acceptable levels of quality for: Planning Design Installation Operation Maintenance

15. Conservation Practice Standards incorporate information from… UniversitiesGovernment research Practical experience Conservation field trials

16. New Standards are written when… Small Watershed Program Energy InitiativeDune protection …new technology can solve a resource problem …increased emphasis is placed on a resource concern. …a State identifies a resource concern that is specific to their State.

17. Conservation Practice Standards – Scientific Peer-Reviewed Research UniversitiesGovernment research

19. Outlet raised after harvest Outlet lowered for plantingOutlet raised after planting Drainage Water Management Outlet lowered for harvest

21. BIOREACTOR RESEARCH

22. Wood chips: Inexpensive Effective > 20 yr

23. Photo courtesy of ACWA BIOREACTORS

25. Nutrient Management Practice Standard (590) Routinely revised every 4-5 years Coordinated with USDA objectives Latest science and technology Improved clarity The Standard helps growers apply manure and fertilizer to agricultural lands with minimal impact on the environment. It is shaped by comments received from public and private sector reviewers.

26. National 590 Revision Process Old 590 1 st Draft NRCS Review 2nd Draft FR 45days 3 rd Draft New 590 Slide 26

27. Who Commented? Hundreds of responses were received from the public and private sector: –Federal agencies –Land grant universities –Consultant and research groups –Ag Industry, cattlemen’s and dairymen’s organizations, grower advocacy groups –SWCDs, conservation advocacy groups, TSPs –Independent growers and concerned citizens (Full Range of NRCS Customers) Slide 27

28. Balancing Food Production with the Environment Emphasizes 4 Rs (amount, source, placement, timing) Nutrient applications based on yield goal AND risk assessments

29. Revised Standard Directs Nutrient Management Planners to: Apply nutrients when crops are most likely to take them up Avoid over-application of nutrients Avoid application when there is a high risk of nutrient loss to air or water Improve recordkeeping

30. Revised Standard Encourages Use and Improvement of Available Conservation Tools Risk Assessment Tools Erosion Risk (RUSLE2) Nitrogen Leaching Index Phosphorus Index Soil and tissue testing for nutrients

31. Issue – Winter Application of Manure Previous Standard (2006) “To minimize nutrient losses: … Nutrients shall not be applied to frozen, snow- covered or saturated soil if the potential risk for runoff exists.” Slide 31

32. Revised Standard (2012) “Nutrients must not be surface-applied if nutrient losses offsite are likely. This precludes spreading on: frozen and/or snow-covered soils, and when the top 2 inches of soil are saturated from rainfall or snow melt. Exceptions for the above criteria can be made for surface- applied manure when specified conditions are met and adequate conservation measures are installed to prevent the offsite delivery of nutrients. Slide 32

33. The adequate treatment level and specified conditions for winter application of manure must be defined by NRCS in concurrence with the water quality control authority in the State. At a minimum, the following site and management factors must be considered: slope, organic residue and living covers, amount and form of nutrients to be applied, and adequate setback distances to protect local water quality.” Slide 33

34. Issue – Application of Manure on Frozen, Snow-covered, or Saturated Soil 12 states already prohibit application 13 states easily avoid application then Many others have defined conditions for winter spreading Slide 34

35. SUMMARY Revised Standard Benefits Producers FA through USDA programs Increases nutrient recovery by crops, thereby reducing production costs and increasing profit Nutrient plans that are defensible Better records to help document they are doing things right

36. SUMMARY Revised Standard Benefits the Environment Reduced erosion Reduced nutrient losses to air Reduced nutrient losses to water (FA to achieve public value) Slide 36

37. Systems Approach to Nutrient Management Planning: Avoid, Control, Trap Slide 37

38. Avoid Avoid nutrient losses from agricultural operations Principle preventative approach is the nutrient management plan (CPS 590). Slide 38

39. Control - Erosion Practices commonly used:  Crop Rotation  Residue Management  Cover Crops  Strip Cropping  Contouring Slide 39

40. Control - Runoff Practices commonly used:  Terraces  Contour Buffers  Grassed Waterways  Strip Cropping  Runoff Control Structures  Irrigation Water Management Slide 40

41. Control – nutrient leaching Practices commonly used:  Irrigation Water Management  Cover Crops  Crop Rotations Slide 41

42. Trap Practices Commonly used:  Filter Strips  Riparian Buffers  Contour Buffer Strips  Constructed Wetlands  Drainage Water Management  Bioreactors (emerging technology) Slide 42

43. Avoid, Control and Trap Slide 43 Avoid: 590 Nutrient plan Control: Well Buffers Cover crop Filter strip Residue management Trap: Field border

44. Evaluating Our Impact

45. Conservation Effects Assessment Project: 42 Watersheds, 13 Million acres Conservation Practices Work Compared to no conservation practices: –Sediment loss reduced by 47-73% –Phosphorous loss reduced by 33-59% –Nitrogen loss in runoff reduced by 35-58% –Nitrogen loss through leaching reduced by 9-45% Suites of Practices More Effective than Individual Practices Alone

46. Systems for Multiple Benefits 19901994 1996 Bear Creek, Story County, Iowa Ecosystem Services: Water Quality C Sequestration Wildlife Habitat

48. Conservation Practices NRCS standardizes its conservation practices to integrate science-based solutions into farm planning

49. Erosion Control - Examples Crop Rotation Residue Management Cover Crops Contouring Strip Cropping 49

50. Why Revise the Standard? Challenges Facing American Agriculture ↑World population ↑Demand for food and fiber ↑Demand for clean water ↑Demand for productive farmland ↑Demand for skilled farmers ↑Regulatory pressure