Sept. 29, 2021 – Across Michigan, farmers and agribusinesses are working to safeguard our water, soil and air. Keeping up to speed on best practices and new technology is central to meeting this goal. Throughout 2021, MABA has delivered information on water quality and stewardship considerations to help those involved in Michigan agriculture maintain and enhance environmental protection. These one-page newsletter stories are available below and can be shared in full by anyone with interest in agricultural stewardship: Drainage water management (DWM) can benefit new or existing tile drain systems, help with water management in-field. Michigan’s soils, hydrology, and topography make tile drain systems an essential element of agricultural systems in many areas of Michigan. Swings in precipitation patterns make in-field water management more difficult. Drainage water management (DWM) systems allow for the adjustment of the water table elevation in fields, providing another tool to manage water. Read more. Planning for the 2022 Crop Starts with Fall Fertilizer Management. Fall is an excellent time to test soils for nutrient levels, both for fertilizer applications that might be made yet this fall, as well as complete nutrient management plans for the following year’s crop. As growers begin to prepare for the 2022 crop year, consulting with a crop adviser to implement purposeful fertilizer management plans is important! Read more. Consider Weather Forecasts When Planning Fertilizer Applications. Heavy rainfall events are a prime contributor to agricultural nutrient losses, with water transporting nutrients to surface water bodies. Recently applied mineral fertilizers on the soil surface are at particular risk for transport as moving water can carry fertilizer particles, as well as quickly convert nutrients into dissolved forms. Commercial fertilizers are designed to be highly water soluble for optimal agronomic performance, but that also means they can easily dissolve into water and carried from fields. Read more. Harvested wheat fields are an opportunity to manage nutrients and implement conservation. Harvested wheat fields are prime candidates for intensive soil sampling, utilizing grid or zone sampling schemes to identify nutrient variability in the field. Managing fertility on an intensive basis is the key to maximizing the economic and environmental benefits of today’s technology. Read more. Container recycling is a simple, easy, important way to protect Michigan’s environment. Michigan’s Pesticide Container Recycling Program provides cost-free recycling opportunities for pesticide users to properly, and safely, dispose of containers. The program not only ensures plastics are recycled or converted to other beneficial uses instead of taking up landfill space, but also decreases the likelihood that unclean or improperly stored containers could leach pesticide residue into the environment. Read more. Soil Sampling – A Critical First Step to Maximize Profit Potential, Environmental Stewardship. For many across Michigan, soil sampling has become “second nature,” with farmers and their ag retail advisors recognizing the importance of having a solid view of a field’s nutrient profile to inform decision making. With the growing season upon us, it is a good time to think about the latest soil testing practices and how they are used on fields, especially in terms of determining spring phosphorus and potassium application rates. Read more.
