Source: UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS submitted to NRP
PHOSPHORUS MANAGEMENT FOR SUSTAINABLE ANIMAL AGRICULTURE IN OZARK WATERSHEDS
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
OTHER GRANTS
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0190484
Grant No.
2001-51130-11452
Cumulative Award Amt.
(N/A)
Proposal No.
2001-04868
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Sep 15, 2001
Project End Date
Sep 14, 2005
Grant Year
2001
Program Code
[(N/A)]- (N/A)
Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS
PO BOX 391
LITTLE ROCK,AR 72203
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
Along with water resource demands from a rapidly expanding human population, Northwest Arkansas maintains a thriving agricultural industry. Washington, Benton, and Carroll Counties are ranked first, second, and fourth in the state in terms of total county agricultural receipts, respectively and rank in the highest quartile of confined animal production, nationally. The key to the agricultural production in these Ozark watersheds is the complementary nature of poultry and beef cattle operations. Traditionally, poultry litter has been used as a valuable organic fertilizer. As eutrophication issues emerge in the phosphorus-limited waters of the Beaver Lake and Illinois River Watersheds, the potential nutrient runoff from land applied animal manures is causing in poultry litter to be considered more of a liability than a resource. The public demand on water resources, coupled with progressively changing nutrient management planning tools and increasing regulatory pressure, have left agricultural producers strained and confused about how to maintain productive, economically viable beef cattle/poultry operations while minimizing their impacts on water quality. It is estimated that confined animal agriculture generates more than 2,000,000 pounds of both nitrogen and phosphorus. The best way to reduce these, and soil losses from pastures is to maintain a dense, vigorous grass cover which anchors soil and reduces nutrient losses during runoff events. This project will educate agricultural producers about environmentally and economically sustainable forage production practices
Animal Health Component
100%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
11203201070100%
Knowledge Area
112 - Watershed Protection and Management;

Subject Of Investigation
0320 - Watersheds;

Field Of Science
1070 - Ecology;
Goals / Objectives
Increase producer knowledge of the importance of a sustainable nutrient management program and the cost/benefit ratio of Best Management Practices (BMPs) in relation to productive, economically viable, and environmentally sound animal agriculture operations. Create an appreciation and understanding of the history and theory of TMDLs, AFO/CAFO water quality regulations, and Arkansas' Phosphorus Index to protect and improve water quality. Encourage voluntary BMP actions and instill a sense of watershed ownership and individual responsibility for protecting water resources serving the communities in the Ozark region of Northwest Arkansas.
Project Methods
The University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service has a history of grassroots planning and involvement in educational programs through its County Extension Council process. This process involves utilizing key community leaders which represent all interests and areas of the county to 1) identify emerging issues and community needs, 2) plan educational program content, methods, audiences, and promotion activities, 3) participate in program implementation, and 4) evaluate the impact of project efforts. The Agriculture subcommittees of the County Extension Councils in Benton, Carroll, Madison, and Washington Counties will be instrumental in gathering watershed stakeholder input and support. Members of the agricultural community which include producers, financial lenders, local government, and industry representatives will be used to guide and assess progress throughout the three-year project period. Extension education programs, including presentations at producer meetings, the establishment of on-farm demonstrations, field days and tours, and the development of slide sets and publications, will address the following four areas of forage production which reduce water quality impacts while retaining profitable farming operations: - Species balance and variety including balancing warm vs. cool season grasses, no-till bermudagrass establishment, the benefits and persistence of endophyte-friendly fescue, over-seeding winter annuals, and legume establishment - Proper manure utilization and fertility management including phosphorus mining, poultry litter storage, application rates and timing of applications, and utilizing commercial fertilizer - Integrated pest management for adequate weed control including pesticide selection, application rate, and timing, and the role of grazing and bush-hogging to reduce weed populations and encourage forage production - Improved haying/grazing management techniques to maximize forage growth and quality including timing of hay cutting and baling, bale-wrapping, intensive rotational grazing management, alternative watering sources, and stockpiling fescue

Progress 09/15/01 to 09/14/05

Outputs
This project was designed to increase livestock and forage producers' knowledge of watershed dynamics, sustainable farming practices, and phosphorus management strategies and policies. An expected outcome was intensified BMP implementation to reduce agricultural nonpoint pollution in two Northwest Arkansas watersheds. Local stakeholders served on steering committees that prioritized educational needs and evaluated program impacts. A total of 67 presentations at agricultural production and civic meetings enabled 4,531 producers to better understand the interrelationships among production practices, economic viability and environmental benefits. Topics included karst geology, nutrient management, Arkansas' Phosphorous Index, new federal AFO/CAFO and state nutrient management regulations, regulation conflict resolution, forage and grazing management, and pasture weed control. Producers had 904 forage and over 12,000 litter and manure samples analyzed to improve nutrient application and utilization. More than 1,460 producers requested nutrient management plans using the Phosphorus Index and 89 producers participated in 13 poultry litter truck calibration demonstrations/workshops. Over 1,700 producers from Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma toured 19 on-farm BMP field demonstrations and acquired new skills such as improving forage stands to increase nutrient utilization and reduce runoff. Individual farm and office visits spurred adoption of BMPs to decrease nutrient runoff while stabilizing year-round forage production levels necessary to maintain viable livestock enterprises. The adoption of precise nutrient application rates, improved application timing, and limited use of phosphorus bearing fertilizers were aggressively implemented by 505 participants committed to the "Quality Forage" program. Forage production data collected from 2002-2005 documented a 33% improvement in efficiency of medium over high fertility practices. Phosphorus concentrations of 723 forage samples were used to evaluate forage management practices to reduce soil phosphorus levels and, for three consecutive years, 15 producers competed to document the highest amount of soil phosphorus removal through recommended management practices. Producers from surrounding counties and states continue to request information developed through this nationally recognized Quality Forage program effort. Non-technical publications and educational tools developed and distributed through this project have had excerpts published in local, regional and national news media. All told, programs supported by this project 1) developed producer confidence that viable forage production, in conjunction with new or alternative BMPs, is possible 2) demonstrated economic savings from prescribed "no-phosphorus" management and stockpiled fescue practices and 3) equipped watershed stakeholders with the knowledge and confidence to demand an integral role in nutrient management policy development. Ultimately, this project cultivated a deeper sense of watershed ownership and responsibility among participating producers for protecting and improving the quality of water resources in Ozark watersheds.

Impacts
Because of the continual promotion and awareness of this project and the sensitive issues in Northwest Arkansas regarding phosphorus, producers have taken advantage of services provided in this grant and made tremendous strides in meeting all regulatory requirements put into place by legislation.

Publications

  • 1. Coblentz, W. K., M. B. Daniels, J. L. Gunsaulis, K. A. Teague, and J. D. Speight. 2004. Using bermudagrass forage systems to mine phosphorus from high soil-test phosphorus soils. Fact Sheet #FSA9514. Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, Little Rock, AR.
  • 2. Coblentz, W. K., M. B. Daniels, J. L. Gunsaulis, J. E. Turner, D. A. Scarbrough, J. B. Humphry, K. P. Coffey, P. A. Moore, Jr., K. A. Teague, and J. D. Speight. 2004. Effects of nitrogen fertilization on phosphorus uptake in bermudagrass forage grown on high soil-test phosphorus sites. Prof. Anim. Sci. 20:146-154.
  • 3. Seay. R.L., 2003. Differences in P Uptake, DM Yield and Forage Quality in Variants of the Greenfield Bermuda Variety. 2004, Benton County Quality Forage Summary.
  • 4. Seay. R.L., 2003. Response of Greenfield Bermuda to Delayed N and K Applications. 2004, Benton County Quality Forage Summary.
  • 5. Seay. R.L., 2003. Response of Greenfield Bermuda to Delayed Glyphosate Applications. 2004, Benton County Quality Forage Summary.


Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04

Outputs
Educational Efforts Committee meetings Benton County Quality Forage Committee (2 meetings) Madison County Agriculture Sub-Committee Meeting Presentations Carroll County Poultry Grower Meetings (3 meetings), 206 attendees Washington County Poultry Grower Meeting, 41 attendees Arkansas Nutrient Laws presentation - Madison County, 56 attendees Boone County Poultry Grower Meetings (2 meetings), 263 attendees Marion County Poultry Grower Meeting, 87 attendees River Valley Poultry Grower Meeting, 115 attendees Crawford County Poultry Grower Meetings (2 meetings), 51 attendees Phosphorus Mining of Bermuda grass - Benton County Quality Forage Meeting, 162 attendees Proper Litter Calibration and Application - Washington County Beef Cattle Short Course, 112 attendees Regulation Conflict Resolution - Carroll County Leadership Class, 22 attendees On-farm demonstrations Stockpiled fescue and rotational grazing - Madison County Bermuda grass production and mining of phosphorus - Benton County MAX-Q establishment - Washington, Benton and Madison County Field days/workshops Farm Pond Workshop in Prairie Grove, AR - 37 attendees Litter Calibration Field Day in Lincoln, AR - 32 attendees Litter Calibration Workshop for Extension Agents, 15 attendees Farm Visits Over 50 samples manure samples were submitted for nutrient analysis 14 farms were visited for farm pond/stream sampling 4 farms were visited for litter truck weighing and/or calibration 173 forage analyses were taken 2 farms were visited for CNMP Consultation 2 sprayers were properly calibrated 9 farms were visited for forage selection Over 100,00 acres were soil tested (Source - UofA Soil Testing Lab) Mass Media Importance of Forage Testing - Arkansas NBC TV New Clover Varieties Available - Washington County Beef/Forage Newsletter Poultry Regulation update - Madison County newspaper Other efforts Compiled a bulleted information sheet highlighting the significant aspects of Phosphorus Rules and Regulations Livestock and Forage pocket recordkeeping book was developed and printed to streamline nutrient and pesticide application, harvesting forage and livestock management Began preparing forage production verification program to determine the production expenses associated with phosphorus update of Bermuda grass Karst Fact Sheet - Ozark Under Wonderland - developed Slippage Report This project has maintained on track with designated tasks and there isn't any slippage to report. Budgetary items No shifts were made in the budget.

Impacts
Tremendous strides have been made to incorporate the cost/benefit of phosphorus mining in bermuda pastures by providing demonstration data and developing a budget sheet for producers in these watersheds. Over 200 people have contributed and benefited from this information.

Publications

  • Coblentz, W. K., M. B. Daniels, J. L. Gunsaulis, K. A. Teague, and J. D. Speight. 2004. Using bermudagrass forage systems to mine phosphorus from high soil-test phosphorus soils. Fact Sheet #FSA9514. Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, Little Rock, AR.
  • Coblentz, W. K., M. B. Daniels, J. L. Gunsaulis, J. E. Turner, D. A. Scarbrough, J. B. Humphry, K. P. Coffey, P. A. Moore, Jr., K. A. Teague, and J. D. Speight. 2004. Effects of nitrogen fertilization on phosphorus uptake in bermudagrass forage grown on high soil-test phosphorus sites. Prof. Anim. Sci. 20:146-154.
  • Seay. R.L., 2003. Differences in P Uptake, DM Yield and Forage Quality in Variants of the Greenfield Bermuda Variety. 2004, Benton County Quality Forage Summary.
  • Seay. R.L., 2003. Response of Greenfield Bermuda to Delayed N and K Applications. 2004, Benton County Quality Forage Summary.
  • Seay. R.L., 2003. Response of Greenfield Bermuda to Delayed Glyphosate Applications. 2004, Benton County Quality Forage Summary.
  • Seay. R.L., 2001-2003. Phosphorus Removal by Selected Bermuda Varieties Based On DM Forage Yield and Forage P Concentration. 2004, Benton County Quality Forage Summary.


Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03

Outputs
Educational Efforts Committee meetings 1. Phosphorus Steering Committee Meeting - Madison County, 8 producers 2. Poultry Grower's Focus Meeting - Washington County, 6 producers Presentations 1. Phosphorus Education in Northwest Arkansas - Tyson Grower's Meeting (Springdale), 115 attendees 2. Poultry Litter as a Fertilizer - Beef Cattle Short Course, 141 attendees 3. Phosphorus Management in the Ozark Watersheds - Beef Cattle Short Course, 117 attendees 4. AFO/CAFO Rules and Proposed State Regulations - Beef Cattle Short Course, 135 attendees 5. Environmental Impacts of Karst Geology - Pesticide Applicator Training, 18 attendees 6. CAFO Regulation Update and Nutrient Management Planning - Tyson Grower Meeting (Green Forest), 177 attendees 7. CAFO Regulation Update and Nutrient Management Planning - Tyson Grower Meeting (Harrison, Boone Co), 132 attendees 8. Fertilizer Value of Poultry Litter - Randolph County Cattlemen's Association, 85 attendees 9. AFO/CAFO and Proposed State Regulations - West Fork public meeting, 36 attendees On-farm demonstrations 1. Stockpiled fescue and rotational grazing 2. Bermuda grass production and mining of phosphorus 3. Interseeding legumes into tall fescue 4. Grassy-weed control in bermuda grass with Plateau Field days/workshops 1. Farm Pond Workshop - 31 attendees 2. Litter Calibration Field Day - 32 attendees 3. Arkansas Beef Improvement Field Day - 31 attendees 4. CNMP Workshop - 15 attendees Farm Visits 1. 12 farms were visited for nutrient analysis 2. 16 farms were visited for farm pond sampling 3. 3 farms were visited for litter truck weighing and/or calibration 4. 4 farms were visited for hay nutrient analysis 5. 3 farms were visited for CNMP Consultation Mass media 1. Federal AFO/CAFO Regulations, Northwest Arkansas Times 2. State Nutrient Regulations, Arkansas Business Journal 3. Federal AFO/CAFO Regulations, Arkansas NBC-TV Other efforts 1. Poultry Grower Surveys for Litter Management Options, 41 producers

Impacts
It is the goal of this project to increase producer knowledge of the importance of a sustainable nutrient management program and the cost/benefit

Publications

  • No publications reported this period


Progress 10/01/01 to 09/30/02

Outputs
It was important to meet with the County Council Agricultural Subcommittees in each county to introduce them to the project and develop objectives based on their needs. Two meetings were conducted in Madison County and one in Washington County. Based on the desires of the committees and needs within each county, several demonstrations and farm visits were established. They include: 1. Litter truck weight/calibration on two farms 2. Bermuda release with roundup in the spring on one farm 3. Pond nutrient management on nine farms 4. Grid sampling for phosphorus management on two farms 5. Overseeding legumes on fescue on one farm 6. Relationship of nitrogen fertilizer applicaitons to phosphorus uptake on one farm 7. Bermuda variety selection at one location 8. Soil sampling for nutrient concentrations - 600 acres Producers have been contacted to establish additional bermuda variety demonstrations. Providing presentations to the public enables stakeholders to become aware of current policies, watershed activities and programs in which they can be involved. Several presentations were given this year: 1. Madison County Cattlemen's Association - Phosphorus Management in Madison county 2. Madison County Extension Council - two programs on the project and current accomplishments 3. Tyson Grower Meetings - Carroll County 4. Phosphorus Management Meeting, Arkansas Association of Soil Classifiers - AFO/CAFO Nutrient Management Update 5. Beef Cattle Short Course, Ozark Cattlemen's Association, Arkansas Water Resources Conference, Poultry Symposium, White River Update Meeting - Phosphorus Index for Northwest Arkansas 6. 35th Annual Study Day Program - Environmental Issues Facing Agriculture 7. Super Cow Clinic - Display on Phosphorus Management Working with the media has also been influential in conveying project activities and results to the public. Newspapers, television stations and newsletters have been helpful in marketing our project. Items published or televised include: 1. Madison County CowSense Newsletter 2. KFSM - CBS news story on the Washington County Phosphorus Meeting 3. Morning News of Northwest Arkansas and Arkansas Democrat Gazette published articles on the Washington County Phosphorus Meeting

Impacts
It is the goal of this project to increase producer knowledge of the importance of a sustainable nutrient management program and the cost/benefit ratio of BMPs in relation to a productive, economically viable, and environmentally sound agricultural operation. We additionally plan to create an understanding and theory of TMDLs, AFO/CAFO regulations, and Arkansas' Phosphorus Index to protect and improve water quality. We believe that encouraging voluntary BMP actions and instilling a sense of watershed ownership and individual responsibility will protect water resources serving the communities in northwest Arkansas.

Publications

  • No publications reported this period