September 26, 2023 | Across Michigan, more than 300 Certified Crop Advisers (CCAs) play a pivotal role in the success of our agriculture sector by providing expert insights, analysis and advice to growers. While CCAs are known as a business resource – helping farmers optimize their return on investment and economic success – they are also a huge asset for the health of the Great Lakes and our soils. Every day, CCAs assist farmers in making informed decisions regarding crop management. They possess in-depth knowledge of various crops, soil types, climate conditions, and pest management strategies. This knowledge equips them to design and deliver tailored solutions to optimize crop yields while minimizing environmental impacts. In turn, farmers are better equipped to adopt practices that deliver both environmental and economic benefits. For example, CCAs help farmers maintain soil health by assessing their soil conditions through comprehensive soil testing and analysis. Based on the results, they provide guidance on nutrient management, ensuring that farmers apply fertilizers at precise rates and timings (following the 4Rs and key best management practices). This prevents over-application of nutrients, which can lead to soil degradation and water pollution. CCAs and professional agronomists also have a strong positive impact in terms of safeguarding the health of our Great Lakes and inland waterways. Excess nutrients and nutrient losses from fields risk contributing to algal blooms and other detrimental conditions, and make up one key area of concern among many factors contributing to this challenge. Given their training and agronomic expertise, CCAs can assist farmers in implementing best management practices to prevent nutrient losses. These include precise irrigation techniques, use of new imagery and application technology, and beyond. They also can help farmers implement stewardship practices such as buffer strips and grassed waterways, acting as natural filters to trap pollutants before they reach water sources. Beyond the baseline training, testing and continuing education CCAs receive, many have gone “above and beyond” to earn 4R Nutrient Management Specialty certification via the American Society of Agronomy. MABA has spotlighted just a few of these CCA’s during 2023, and you can see their stories here: JJ Metz, Nutrien Ag Solutions Katleyn Frostic Noll, Helena Agri-Enterprises Andrew Greenhoe, Michigan Agricultural Commodities, Inc. (MAC) CCAs important role goes beyond the bottom line – they bring strong expertise in soil health and water quality preservation, benefiting Michigan agriculture. Learn more about Certified Crop Advisers, and the process to earn certification, here. We continue to encourage all those in Michigan agriculture to consult with expert agronomists and CCAs to advance their business goals and environmental stewardship.
