Purdue News
Purdue News
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February 13, 2004 Purdue publications help farm-friendly practices pay offWEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. "What's good for the environment isn't good for business." More than one farmer has echoed that sentiment through the years. While it might seem that the returns from soil and water conservation practices aren't worth the time and money invested in them, farmers can improve profits as they're improving the land. A new set of Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service publications shows producers how. "Field Assessment for Water Resource Protection" and "On-Farm Soil Monitoring for Water Resource Protection" provide farmers with fast and convenient field management analysis skills, as well as suggestions for correcting soil and water problems. "We've heard from farmers for several years that there are so many things that they deal with from an environmental perspective," said Brent Ladd, a water quality specialist in Purdue's Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering. "A lot of times farmers see environmental issues as separate from production. They think if you do one you can't do the other. We've found that's not the case. In fact, by going through a field assessment process, they can identify changes that can improve their bottom line, while at the same time help protect the environment." The two publications, each fewer than 25 pages in length, contain step-by-step directions on analyzing soil and water, worksheets and recordkeeping pages, and lists of additional contacts and resources, said Ladd, who co-authored the publications. "Field Assessment for Water Resource Protection" – Extension publication WQ-42 – covers a broad range of topics. "There are five major topics when looking at field cropping practices for any type of grain or vegetable production," Ladd said. "The publication covers nutrients, soil conservation, pest management, drainage and irrigation. And then there are issues surrounding areas adjacent to the fields, including woodlands, wildlife habitat and well water issues for neighbors." The field assessment publication takes farmers through a 41-question "Quick Check" analysis to determine the potential impact of management decisions on water and other natural resources. "The 'Quick Check' takes about 20 minutes, and it identifies the key questions we think people can ask themselves," Ladd said. "From that they can narrow those down to three, four or five priority areas that they'll want to consider. The process is streamlined in the sense that you get those three or four things that you might want to improve upon, and then you can flip back in the publication and find what Purdue specialists recommend." "On-Farm Soil Monitoring for Water Resource Protection" – Extension publication WQ-43 – looks at water infiltration rates, earthworm counts, soil aggregate stability, penetration compaction, and plant and crop residue cover. "This publication takes the perspective that it all starts with the soil," Ladd said. "Whatever happens in the soil often eventually impacts water quality in other environmental areas. We worked with farmers for a couple of years to come up with some methods that they could use in the field with items they already have on hand at the farm. That information is incorporated in this publication. "As they use this resource, farmers will be able to ask themselves, 'What's going on in the soil? Is it healthy? How are my management practices in the field affecting soil and water quality?' The nice thing about this soil monitoring process is that it's simple to do, takes about 20 or 30 minutes per field site once a year and it gives instant feedback." Jane Frankenberger, Purdue Extension water quality coordinator, also helped write the publications. More than 20 Extension specialists, farmers, and soil and water conservation professionals provided support and input. The publications are free and available through county offices of Purdue Extension or by calling the toll-free Purdue Extension hotline at (888) 398-4636 (EXT-INFO). Shipping and handling is $1.50. Farmers also may access the publications on the Purdue Water Quality Web site and clicking on the "Field Assessment" link. Web site visitors can view a 17-minute training video on assembling an on-farm soil monitoring kit and testing soil-monitoring indicators. Writer: Steve Leer, (765) 494-8415, sleer@purdue.edu Source: Brent Ladd, (765) 496-6331, laddb@purdue.edu Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722; Beth Forbes, bforbes@aes.purdue.edu
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