United States. Department of Agriculture

“ The Soil Testing Research Program will address improvements in present tests for nitrogen availability to crops; development of new tests, as needed, to assess the impacts of nitrates on water quality; integration of soil tests into farm-scale nitrogen recommendation systems, and development of improvement of tests to determine excess nitrate and the leaching potential at the end of the crop production system. ”

“ Missouri research shows that movement of pesticides through soil cracks and large pores was decreased if irrigation was delayed after application of chemicals. Less preferential flow of water and solute occurred in soils in applications of chemicals were made to wet soils after irrigation rather than to dry soils before irrigation in Arizona research. Detoxification of contaminated soils and water by inoculation with microbes or by application of enzymes holds promise of being more cost-effective than presently-used physical–chemical treatments, according to research in Pennsylvania. ”

“ Whole-Farm Survey The whole-farm chemical-use and economic survey will provide data for economic analysis of fertilizer- and pesticide-use policies. Using whole-farm data, analyses can be conducted on crop substitution, input substitution, and input-crop substitution opportunities under different chemical-use situations.
In 1990, a survey of pesticide use on vegetable will be conducted in five States: Arizona, California, Florida, Michigan, and Texas. The survey will cover about 80 percent of U.S. fresh-market vegetable production. ”

“ Records of chemical use and field operations are being combined with soil and other factors to improve prediction models of chemical contamination of ground water. Improved models are the result of research in Oklahoma and Florida that can better match soils and crop management strategies for use by Extension, Soil Conservation Service, and farm managers. In New York research, improved simulation models and geographic information system (GIS) maps are being developed, improved, and tested to predict chances of pesticide movement to ground water. ”

“ Soil Conservation Service is working with the USDA Economic Research Service and the National Center for Resource Innovations to produce a document that identifies areas in the United States that have the potential for ground water contamination from agricultural chemicals. A Geographic Information System was used to apply National Resource Inventory sample points, soils data, and a pesticide-use data base to a vulnerability model. ”

“ Research in North Carolina shows progress in mapping the potentials of soils for poultry litter application as based on soil characteristics. Promising new methods for safe on-farm disposal of pesticide wastes are being developed by Arkansas scientists. Greater understanding is being obtained by scientists on the degradation, persistence, and movement of pesticides, such as atrazine and metolachlor and other chemicals at several locations. Early results in Montana studies show dicamba movement through soils was reduced as more time was allowed between chemical application and irrigation. ”

“ Activities Planned Three data collection activities are underway to help answer questions associated with aggregate chemical-use patterns. These data are important not only to the President’s Water Quality Initiative, but also to USDA’s Food Safety Data Initiative, benefits assessments, and other pesticide-related activities. The planned data activities are a cropping practices survey, a whole-farm chemical use and economic survey, and area study surveys. ”

“ Nutrient And Pesticide Training Workshops Nutrient and pesticide management are an integral part of most conservation management systems. Chemical and organic fertilizers, along with pesticides, are often identified resources. ”

“ National Animal Waste Workshop Commodity groups and individuals representing aquaculture, beef, dairy, poultry, and swine developed suggestions for additional educational and technical assistance, and research, necessary to improve each group’s response to water quality concerns. ”

“ West Virginia studies of the bacterial quality of water passing through activated charcoal filters, show promise for cleaning up drinking water in home water systems. In Washington and Oregon, economic costs are being determined of farm management changes that could result from policies to abate possible nitrate build-up in ground water. ”

“ Technology transfer is built into the MSEA’s. The Cooperative Extension System and the Soil Conservation Service are involved in program planning, and they are developing education and action programs that will tie in with the MSEA’s. ”

“ Federal and state agencies, and the animal industries, are actively seeking ways to minimize the negative effects of animal production on water quality. Commodity group representatives requested increased educational programs and technical assistance to cover all aspects of animal waste management and water quality. ”

“ With both no-till and conventional till, pesticides aren’t reaching the deepest wells, where groundwater might be used for drinking water. Even when chemicals enter the shallower wells, they are usually well below EPA health advisory levels for drinking water. When levels approach or exceed those levels, they drop back within two or three days as the aquifer dilutes them.
Although the measurements of surface runoff only began last year, preliminary observations have confirmed that no-till can cut surface runoff and accompanying pollution by at least half. ”

“ Expectations Hydrologic unit areas, demonstration projects, and special projects will encourage landowners to respond voluntarily and independently to water quality concerns and farm or ranch management needs. As new technology becomes available, it will be used at existing and new locations. ”

“ The Midwest is one of the most intensively farmed regions of the U.S. It produces more than half of all U.S. corn and soybeans—crops that normally are grown with large inputs of pesticides and fertilizers. Some pesticides used by the region’s farmers have been detected in groundwater. Midwestern groundwater is also vulnerable to contamination by nitrate nitrogen. ”

“ Soil Productivity—The Key to Healthy Forests Soil condition is a good indicator of overall land productivity. Loss of soil productivity indicates a problem with the ecosystem as a whole. Soil changes are measurable and can be used to infer changes in biomass and hydrology in the rest of the ecosystem. ”

“ To coordinate USDA’s water quality work with that of other federal agencies; To inform the public regularly of USDA’s progress and initiatives in water quality. USDA Water Quality Policy One subgroup of the working group, chaired by Vivan Jennings of the Extension Service, is now analyzing USDA’s current water quality policies with an eye toward updating them to meet current needs. The subgroup’s forthcoming recommendations will ensure that USDA maintains a high profile and a leadership position on this issue. ”

“ Additionally, ongoing research in the Economic Research Service and in the States is addressing the economic implications of various farming and policy alternatives at farm, regional, and national scales. ”

“ Farm*A*Syst is unique because it comprehensively addresses potential groundwater contamination from 10 significant potential sources near the farmstead drinking water well. Farmers and rural residents use Farm*A*Syst to assess current structures and practices such as pesticide and fertilizer mixing, loading practices, and maintaining petroleum product storage tanks. Site conditions that affect pollution vulnerability are assessed to help farmers prioritize actions to reduce or prevent pollution. ”

“ It is part of the USDA’s effort for helping farmers and rural residents understand water quality problems, where they occur, and their dimensions. The USDA is working with other federal agencies and the states to help farmers operate in a way that minimizes or prevents pollution form agricultural sources. ”

“ Soil Testing, Nitrate Usage Issues Emerge From Workshop Participants in a recent Nitrogen Workshop made suggestions for an expanded research program in soil testing and a position paper on the level of nitrate needed in the soil for economical production of crops. ”

“ Integrated Crop Management (SP53) ; which demonstrates the use of crop management measures that encourage efficient use of pesticides and nutrients and demonstrate ecological benefits while maintaining farm income. Agricultural Waste Control Facilities (WP4) ; which can reduce the existing water, land, or air pollution by agricultural wastes. The modified practice is applicable to areas of farmland where agricultural wastes from the farm constitute a significant pollution hazard. ”

“ Nationwide program expansion will facilitate rapid, cost-effective modification of the materials and implementation of the program so that local needs, policy requirements, and site condition in other interested states are accurately reflected. ”

“ Beltsville, MD—The problem is being attacked on two fronts: a computer database helps farmers choose pesticides and a machine degrages what’s leftover. Also, a tiny bait minnow is being tested as an environmental sentinel for East Coast estuaries.
University Park, PA—By comparing oxygen atoms in rainwater, scientists might be able to advise farmers which fields are losing chemicals.
Tucson, AZ—A computer program evaluates environmental/economic consequences of farming practices. ”

“ Fertilizer and pesticide information will reveal active ingredients used. Future plans are to extend coverage to include other field crops such as peanuts, tobacco, and sorghum. The plan is to report on agricultural chemical use at a State level of statistical reliability beginning in early 1991. ”

“ WQIP incentive payment will be for integrated crop management and other management practices such as waste utilization, contour farming, conservation tillage, nutrient management, and similar cultural practices. ”

“ Farm*A*Syst—National Coop Program A national cooperative program will soon be underway to assist farmers and their rural neighbors in identifying and reducing potential and current sources of groundwater and drinking water contamination from farmsteads and rural residences. ”

“ Atrazine was first registered for United States use in 1958. More than 80 percent of the annual usage (53.3 million pounds) is on corn. It also is used on sorghum, sugar cane, macadamia nut and guava trees, Christmas tree plantations, and on non-cropped industrial lands. ”

“ These seminars are being arranged to encourage USDA executives and their agencies to deal with hazards, risk and uncertainties in a more systematic manner and to communicate risk more effectively to the public. Science and Education has the responsibility for arranging the seminars, working with the USDA agencies and their policy officials. ”

“ The rain that falls on the fields is measured. The water evaporating from the fields is accounted for. The soil is sampled at 4-inch increments, down to 20 inches, to see how far the chemicals are moving down with the water. ”

“ Interagency teams from ASCS, ES, and SCS have received and are reviewing proposals for fiscal year 1991 demonstration projects, hydrologic unit areas, and water quality special projects. The agencies are planning to select 1991 projects during the summer. ”

“ Research needs, and how the various agencies will identify and support needed investigations. A major purpose of the tour is to ensure continued coordination of research and technology transfer among the Federal agencies with water quality programs. ”

“ It is made up of the appropriate under and assistant secretaries and representatives of the following agencies:
Agricultural Research Service; Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service; Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service; Cooperative State Research Service ”

“ Economic Research Service; Extension Service; Farmers Home Administration; Forest Service; National Agricultural Library; National Agricultural Statistics Service; Soil Conservation Service. The working group will also work closely with three other federal agencies—the Environmental Protection Agency ”