Implementation of a Progressive Manure Application Risk Management (ARM) System to Protect Watersheds from Agricultural Runoff and Leaching Events
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The document outlines a progressive manure application risk management system aimed at protecting Puget Sound watersheds from agricultural pollution through effective assessment and mitigation of runoff and leaching risks. It emphasizes the importance of timing, field selection, and real-time monitoring to optimize manure application while minimizing environmental impact. Furthermore, the findings highlight the influence of soil type and application timing on nutrient cycling and field productivity.
Implementation of a Progressive Manure Application Risk Management (ARM) System to Protect Watersheds from Agricultural Runoff and Leaching Events
- 1. Implementation of a Progressive Manure Application Management (ARM) System to Protect Watersheds from Agricultural Runoff and Leaching Events Nichole Embertson, Ph.D. Whatcom Conservation District Waste to Worth, Seattle, WA April 2, 2015
- 3. Protecting Puget Sound Watersheds from Agricultural Pollution Using a Progressive Manure Application Risk Management (ARM) System A method of assessing and mitigating the runoff and leaching risk associated with manure application on a temporal (timing) and spatial (location) scale year- round.N. Embertson, S. Cox, C. Clark, and G. Boggs
- 4. 4 R’s of Nutrient Management 4 R’s Nutrient Management (NRCS) Right Time Right Rate Right Source Right Placement
- 5. Application Risk Management You want to apply, so what should you do? 1. Determine agronomic rate 2. Identify optimal fields (field risk map) 3. Determine current conditions: o Manure Spreading Advisory (MSA) o Seasonal Manure Setbacks 4. Assess field and fill out ARM Worksheet 5. Apply and monitor fields Do this assessment year round!
- 6. Identify Low Risk Fields Runoff Risk Rating (October-June) Leaching Risk Rating (June-October)
- 7. Manure Spreading Advisory Real-time Auto-update from NOAA Runoff risk Soil leaching risk layer May 2015 ~100 pageviews per month www.whatcomcd.org/M SA
- 8. Runoff Risk Ratings (Jan-May)
- 9. ARM Worksheet Fill out Worksheet Forecast Field Conditions Protective Measures Send to WCD Runoff Risk by field and day Recordkeeping &
- 10. ARM Worksheet Parameters Precipitation 24 h Precipitation 72 h Soil type Soil moisture Water table depth Forage density Forage height Field surface condition Manure application equipment Waterbody adjacent Application setback Buffer width Risk Rating
- 12. ARM Field Measurements Provide field data to: Better understand nutrient cycling Determine risk level of fields Tune risk values/thresholds in Worksheet Validate MSA Data collection to be completed: April 2015
- 13. Site Characteristic 6 paired 5 acre plots All plots in grass/forage production 2 treatments: CON = Conventional application timing ARM = Application Risk Management 2 Soil types: Silt Sandy loam (4 plots) – Deep, well drained, low runoff, not saturated
- 14. Field Testing Parameters Surface Water: FC, NO3, NH4, P, Temp, pH Soil Water: NO3, NH4, TN, TP, pH Groundwater: NO3, NH4, TN, TP, Cl Soil: NO3, NH4, TN, TP, pH, OM, Cond, temp, moisture Forage: NO3, N, P, K, yield, height, density Manure: NO3, NH4, TN, TP, pH, rate Meteorological: Precip, temp
- 16. Forage Yield - Yield was 10- 40% greater when early season (Jan) application was made (sand). - Yield increase was due to forage density (25%↑), not height. - Silt had delayed response in yield. - Late fall application on silt lead to greater spring yield. 0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00 2.50 Spring - Sand Spring - Silt Summer - Sand Summer - Silt Fall - Sand Fall Silt Yield(ton.acre) p<0.05 CON ARM
- 18. Soil Nitrate Nitrate trended with soil temperature (dashed line) Late application (October) on sandy soil yielded higher fall/winter nitrate levels
- 20. Surface Runoff - Surface grab samples - Manure application setbacks prevented manure runoff into stream - No correlation between FC and NH4-N, NO3, P, or TN Manure Application Event
- 21. General Conclusions Nitrate leaching in the fall/winter is determined by nitrogen application in the fall (Sept-Oct) Irrigation can push N/nitrate in soil profile in summer Runoff is a factor for rain events on limiting (saturated) soils in spring Soil type has big influence on runoff and leaching potential/magnitude Manure N conversion/availability varies throughout the year and challenges 4Rs
- 22. ARM Outcomes Develop customized manure application strategies for farms Optimize manure application timing by soil type to minimize losses Create real-time management tools to help make nutrient management decisions Number of dairies in Whatcom with full ARM plan : 35% (~12,200 acres)
- 23. Questions? Nichole M. Embertson, Ph.D. Nutrient Management and Air Quality Specialist Whatcom Conservation District O: (360) 526-2381 x 126 E: NEmbertson@WhatcomCD.org www.WhatcomCD.org Disclaimer: The reproduction or use of any of the images or content within this document is not allowed without prior approval from the creator.