9-29-2021

2021 Stewardship Newsletters Provide Water Quality, Environmental Resources

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.
9-28-2021

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.

Michigan’s soils, hydrology, and topography make tile drain systems an essential element of agricultural systems in many areas of Michigan, and the precipitation pattern seen in 2021 in our state spotlights opportunities to use this technology as a risk mitigation tool. This year, and in several recent years, periods of substantial drought are broken up by major rainfall events, delivering several inches of rain in a short period of time. This complicates management of water in fields, and can exacerbate dissolved P and N losses through tile drains.

Drainage water management (DWM) systems allow for the adjustment of the water table elevation in fields, allowing for a naturally high-water table during non-cropping times of the year. This allows for greater water infiltration to groundwater while keeping unnecessary water out of drainage systems. During the growing season, the water table can be lowered to the typical functional level of the drain tile system, providing all the same benefits of tile drainage that growers expect.

DWM systems also allow for raising the water table during drought events, retaining moisture in the soil profile for crop use. Unlike some other nutrient loss reduction practices, DWM systems don’t take farmland out of production or require changing in-field agronomic management. And they require minimal time to adjust water levels, taking just minutes to add or remove boards in the control structure.

Cost-share assistance programs are available in many counties. Growers are encouraged to contact their local conservation district offices to learn more about improving their tile drainage systems with drainage water management technology. As a conservation practice, DWM retains flexibility of in-field agronomic management, does not remove land from production, offers immediate yield increase potential, and has assessable cost-share opportunities – a unique combination and something to be considered in planning for 2022 and beyond.

This newsletter is brought to you by the Michigan Agri-Business Association and the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program. For more information, visit miagbiz.org.

9-21-2021

Bruce Sutherland honored with 2021 Exceptional Service to Michigan Agriculture award

Sept. 21, 2021 — At our recent Outlook Conference, the Michigan Agri-Business Association honored Bruce Sutherland, the recently-retired president of Michigan Agricultural Commodities (MAC) with the 2021 Exceptional Service to Michigan Agriculture award. The award recognizes industry leaders who go above and beyond in their service to our agriculture sector.
“Everyone at MAC, and across our Michigan agriculture industry, has known Bruce for his integrity, his can-do attitude and his passion for the success of agriculture,” said Robert Geers, Vice President of Marketing at MAC and 1st Vice Chair of MABA. “It is my privilege to join MABA in honoring a good friend who has done so much to advance Michigan agriculture during his long career.”
Sutherland’s retirement this spring from his role as President of Michigan Agricultural Commodities capped off a career spanning more than 35 years at MAC. He started as a grain merchandiser, then served as merchandising manager and vice president before being named president in 2016.
Sutherland has been an active participant in activities of the Michigan Agri-Business Association, including service on the Board of Directors, where he was Board Chairman in 2014.
Bruce also served on the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee of the National Grain and Feed Association, as a member of the Federal Grain Inspection Service Advisory Committee and National Rail Car Council; and was recently named a Trustee of the 4-H Foundation. Congratulations to our friend Bruce, and thank you for your leadership!
9-14-2021

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

The fall harvest season marks the start of planning for the 2022 crop, beginning with nutrient management. Fertilizer application plans combine soil test information, yield performance in the field, and detailed fertilizer recommendations to create nutrient management that optimizes crop performance while limiting environmental impacts. With fertilizer prices at higher levels than in past years, comprehensive nutrient management plans are more important than ever.

Nutrient management decisions should be driven by data, including assessments of existing soil nutrient levels. Intensive sampling approaches such as grid or zone soil testing provide high levels of resolution to precisely identify optimal nutrient application rates.

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. Soil test data becomes even more powerful when combined with yield data to assess crop removal. Modern technology allows for nutrient application rates to closely match what’s been removed from the field through grain. Multiple years of data also allow for the identification of productivity zones in the field and provide a better determination of future yield targets than one year’s data alone.

Today’s fertilizer recommendations are the result of long-term determination of crop response to nutrient application rates, timing, and placement. Underpinned by scientific measurement, these recommendations are also the product of observed crop response in the field.

Putting all these pieces of nutrient management together is where crop advisors excel. Not only are these certified professionals current on new advances in nutrient management, but they also can see trends across a region that might not be seen on a farm level. As growers begin to prepare for the 2022 crop year, consulting with a crop adviser to implement purposeful fertilizer management plans is an important first step.

This newsletter is brought to you by the Michigan Agri-Business Association and the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program. For more information, visit miagbiz.org.