GOAL 4: GREATER HARMONY BETWEEN AGRICULTURE AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Program 10: Water Quality­Nutrient Management

Statement of Issues
Over-application of fertilizer can result in degradation of ground and surface water. Use of commercial fertilizer has become an almost universal practice in agriculture. The traditional approach to fertilizer recommendations has been to composite soil samples from a large area to estimate an average fertilizer requirement. The subsequent fertilizer application results in over application in part of the field and under application in the rest of the field.

Performance Goals

Output Indicators
New site-specific technologies are available that allow precise fertilizer application for specific areas in the field. The methodology and economic evaluation of these technologies need to be evaluated for a variety of agricultural environments. Grid sampling appears to be feasible for high value crops in the relatively flat Red River Valley. Less intense and costly approaches are needed for most of the crops and landscapes outside the Red River Valley. Recent research shows a persistence to nutrient patterns in a field--even for mobile nutrients like nitrogen. We have also learned that amount of several nutrients is related to landscape position. This knowledge can be the basis of a more economic approach to site-specific fertility applications.

Outcome Indicators

• Fertilizer applications that much better match crop needs
• Reduction of excess fertilizer applications

Key Program Components
Develop economic site-specific technologies for fertilizer recommendations for a wide range of crops and soils. Demonstration of these technologies on producer fields. Educational program delivered on the technologies, management and results from the use of better fertilizer management.

Internal and External Linkages
This program involves the Department of Soil Science and Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at North Dakota State University and the USDA-ARS at Mandan, North Dakota. Many commercial companies and farm/producers are participants in programming. Financial partners include EPA 319-Water Quality, Agrium, Potash and Phosphate Institute, Sugarbeet Research and Education Board of Minnesota and North Dakota, Cass County Soil Conservation Districts (SCD), Wild Rice SCD, Stutsman County SCD.

Target Audiences
This program will benefit all producers using fertilizer in crop production. The general public will benefit from the environmental aspects related to water quality.

Program Duration
This program will continue for the five-year life of the plan.

Education and Outreach Programs
An extension program is closely meshed with the research program. The extension specialists involved are carrying a major part of the applied program and are interacting with other researchers and with the industry and producers.

Program 11: Water Quality - Animal Waste Management

Statement of Issues

Agricultural pollution primarily from non-irrigated crop land, grazing land, and feedlots presents a significant threat to North Dakota's surface waters. About 60% of the state's total river and stream miles, and about 70% of the lakes and reservoirs are either threatened or impaired for designated uses. In both cases, the major pollutants are nutrients and sediments from agricultural nonpoint sources (U.S. EPA, 1995). Livestock waste has been identified as an increasing source of pollutants. The area occupied by feedlots and other concentrated production units is currently relatively small, however their proximity, relative location in regard to drainage ways, and the concentration of nutrients during snow melt or runoff events, make them a significant factor for pollution of surface and ground water. Alternative livestock (i.e., bison/other) production in feedlot systems may also become viable new enterprises in the Northern Plains region.

Performance Goals

Output Indicators

To develop and deliver information which increases awareness of educational, financial or technical assistance available to producers.

To develop and deliver information which can be used by regulatory officials in evaluating livestock waste management systems.

Outcome Indicators

Facilitation of economical designs that will minimize the potential of surface and/or ground water pollution in northern climate settings.

Reduction of water quality problems because of livestock feedlots.

Key Program Components

Research objectives include: 1) determine reliability of on-site testing of manure characteristics, 2) determine the characteristics of beef feedlot runoff as compared to pasture and cropland runoff, 3) evaluate the performance of runoff control system(s), 4) evaluate the use of alternative management systems as a means of decreasing the need for runoff containment systems, 5) develop economic models to evaluate changes in facilities and management. The extension program will include publications, meetings with producers and regulatory staff and one-on-one consultations with producers.

Internal and External Linkages

This research involves the departments of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Civil Engineering and Soil Science at North Dakota State University and the Research/Extension Centers in Carrington and Dickinson, North Dakota. External partners include the Natural Resources Conservation Service, North Dakota Department of Health, North Dakota Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Districts, Livestock Organizations, and EPA 319-Water Quality.

Target Audiences

Animal waste programming is targeted to operators of feedlot production enterprises, businesses which supply or are otherwise involved with these enterprises, federal, state, and local regulators, as well as the general public.

Program Duration

This program will continue for the five-year life of the plan plus the two year extension.

Education and Outreach Programs

An extension program is closely meshed with the research program. The specialist leading the extension education effort works closely with the major researcher of the projects. Both work closely with producers and regulators.

Program 12: Water Quality - Irrigation and Agronomic Management for Crop Production

Statement of Issues

Irrigation is viewed as a tool for economic development in rural areas because it can be used to grow long season crops as opposed to short season crops such as wheat, barley and canola. The average irrigated acre in North Dakota produces over 5 times the gross economic return of an average dryland acre. During the past decade the irrigated acreage in North Dakota has increased by over 25%, much of which is devoted to high value crops, such as potatoes, high quality alfalfa, dry edible beans, carrots, onions, and cabbage. The construction of a potato processing plant in Jamestown in 1995, the expansion of a potato processing plant in Grand Forks and the construction of an onion processing plant in 2002 have fueled the move towards high value crop production. While increased irrigated acreage and high value crops improve the economic well being of the state, the more intensive farming attributed to these crops could affect water quality.

Performance Goals

Output Indicators

Improved agronomic and irrigation management practices for production of irriga ted high-value crops.

Protect the quality of aquifers and surface water sources using various tools for efficient irrigation scheduling to reduce the potential for runoff or leaching of nitrogen and pesticides. Less detects of contaminants by the ND Health Department aquifer-monitoring program and the ND State Water Commission sampli ng effort.

Irrigation workshops and meetings held to disseminate educational information.

Water Spouts Newsletter sent to over 2/3 of active irrigators in the state.

Individual assistance to practicing and potential irrigators.

Outcome Indicators

Increased demand and use of new irrigation technologies, agronomic management practices and high technology irrigation scheduling.

Improved water management and fertilizer use efficiencies.

Key Program Components

Research objectives include: 1) develop fertility, pest and irrigation management practices for irrigated high value vegetables (carrots, onions, cabbage, and sweet corn) and potatoes, 2) develop new cultivars of dry edible beans that optimize production under irrigation, 3) develop evapotranspiration (ET) crop curves for high value vegetable crops and check the accuracy of existing ET curves for dry edible beans, alfalfa and potatoes in various parts of the state and 4) research potato planting configurations to improve water management under sprinkler irrigation. NDSU personnel will collaborate with the North Dakota Irrigation Association to develop an economic and environmentally acceptable strategic plan for irrigation development. Extension programming will use workshops and meetings to disseminate information and interact in a group setting with irrigators. The newsletter Water Spouts will be sent to over 2/3 of the state's practicing irrigators seven times during the growing season. Irrigation pumping plant efficiency tests and pivot sprinkler uniformity testing will be done as needed to improve water management. The information will be entered into a database and used for educational programming.

Internal and External Linkages

This program involves the NDSU departments of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Plant Science, Soil Science in collaboration with the Carrington and Williston Research/Extension Centers as well as extension agents in counties with irrigation. External partners include the ND Irrigation Association, Commercial Vegetable Growers of ND, Northern Plains Potato Growers Association, Northharvest Bean Growers, the North Dakota State Water Commission, private companies, irrigation dealers and suppliers, and federal agencies such as the USDA-NRCS and Bureau of Reclamation.

Target Audiences

Demonstrations, field tours, and publications related to this research will educate producers, extension agents, and others regarding improved irrigation technologies.

Program Duration

This program will continue for the five-year life of the plan plus the two year extension.

Education and Outreach Programs

The extension program is closely meshed with the research program. The specialist leading the extension education effort works closely with the major researchers of the various high value crops projects. Both work closely with producers and the irrigation and processing industries.

Program 12: Water Quality­Irrigation and Agronomic Management for Crop Production

Statement of Issues
The irrigated area in North Dakota is increasing in response to the demand for dependable, high yielding, and high quality crops. For example, potato processors are increasingly shifting from non-irrigated to irrigated production. In the MonDak region of western North Dakota and eastern Montana, much of the irrigated acreage is surface irrigated. The potential exists for 500,000 new acres of irrigated crops with sprinkler methods, yet the only high value crop now grown there with irrigation is sugar beets. High value crops, such as potatoes, high quality alfalfa, dry edible beans, carrots, onions, and cabbage, offer more potential return to producers and the increased income would be multiplied throughout the local communities.

Performance Goals

Output Indicators

• Develop improved management practices for irrigated production of high-value crops.
• Promote the protection of ground water through reduced leaching potential.
• Irrigation workshops and meetings held to disseminate educational information.
• Water-Spouts Newsletter sent to over 2/3 of active irrigators in the state.
• Individual assistance to practicing and potential irrigators.

Outcome Indicators

• Increased use of new irrigation technologies and management practices.
• Improved water management and fertilizer use efficiencies.

Key Program Components
Research objectives include: 1) develop fertility practices for appropriately irrigated vegetables (carrots, onions, cabbage, and sweet corn) and potatoes, 2) develop new cultivars of dry edible beans that optimize production under irrigation, and 3) develop evapotranspiration (ET) crop curves for representative cultivars of vegetable crops, dry edible beans, and potatoes. Extension programming will involve the use of workshops and meetings to disseminate information and interact in a group setting with irrigators. The newsletter Water Spouts will be sent to over 2/3 of the state's practicing irrigators six times during the growing season. Selected units will be selected for irrigation pumping plant efficiency testing with the information entered into a data base used for educational programming.

Internal and External Linkages
This program involves the departments of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Plant Science, Soil Science, and the Carrington and Williston Research/Extension Centers of North Dakota State University as well as extension agents in counties with irrigation. External partners include Northharvest Bean Growers, the North Dakota State Water Commission, irrigation dealers and suppliers, and NRCS.

Target Audiences
Demonstrations, field tours, and publications related to this research will educate producers, extension agents, and others regarding improved irrigation technologies.

Program Duration
This program will continue for the five-year life of the plan.

Education and Outreach Programs
An extension program is closely meshed with the research program. The specialist leading the extension education effort works closely with the major researcher of the projects. Both work closely with producers and the irrigation industry.