Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack released a comprehensive study on the effects of conservation practices on environmental quality in the Upper Mississippi River Basin Wednesday. Results show the conservation practices installed and applied by ag producers on cropland are reducing sediment, nutrient and pesticide losses from farm fields. According to the study suites of practices work better than single practices. Vilsack says the report confirms that farmers and ranchers are stepping up and implementing conservation practices that can and do have a significant impact on the health of America's soil and water.
The study also found that consistent use of nutrient management is generally lacking throughout the region - and improved nutrient management would reduce the risk of nutrient movement from fields to rivers and streams. The study is part of the Conservation Effects Assessment Project - an effort to assess the effects of conservation practices on the nation's cropland, grazing lands, wetlands, wildlife and watersheds. Vilsack says the study's information will enable USDA to design and implement conservation programs that will help ensure the conservation dollars of taxpayers are used as effectively as possible.
The entire UMRB cropland study report can be found at www.nrcs.usda.gov.
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