Integrated Agricultural Management Systems in Kansas

- Success Story -

This project is just one example within the Land Grant University System that enhanced better nutrient and pesticide management thereby improving water quality. Please check back periodically for other highlighted programs.

farmers learning about field BMPs Situation
Two limitations in addressing total maximum daily load (TMDL) issues are:
1) determining the net effect of best management practices (BMPs) designed for single contaminants on a mix of contaminants in runoff and
2) modeling the net impact of BMP adoption on a watershed scale.

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This Integrated Research, Education, and Extension Project developed and applied a model utilizing local, field-scale research knowledge (surface runoff studies in sorghum-soybean rotation in three watersheds for multiple years) to simulate the effects of nutrient, sediment, and pesticide BMPs on water quality at the watershed scale. This model application allowed us to devise BMP strategies to directly address TMDL issues in a pilot Kansas watershed through Extension activities aimed at local conservation districts as well as local citizens and landowners. A complete economic analysis was performed to identify economic barriers to BMP implementation.

farmer posing at Kansas State BMP demo site sign Impacts

In field studies, chisel/disk tillage systems and broadcast applications at planting generally had small losses for all tested parameters (bioavailable P, soluble P, total P, ammonium, nitrate, total N, sediment, atrazine, and metolachlor) and may be the best practice to simultaneously control nutrient, herbicide, and sediment losses in the settings observed.
Modeling results generally have indicated that reductions in sediment, total N, total P and atrazine loading to streams in the Lower Little Blue River subbasin can be achieved through implementation of various BMP combinations.
Farms using reduced tillage were relatively more cost efficient.
Data from the project has also been used to validate the Kansas Phosphorus Site Index.
Results from the Extension modeling project are being incorporated into Watershed Restoration and Protective Strategies (WRAPS) efforts, especially for recommendations of BMPs for meeting water quality goals within the basin, by local watershed groups.
Watershed citizenry became educated about the water quality impacts of various management alternatives and better enabled to make informed decisions leading to improved water quality in the watershed.