Agriculture Coalition [Including Ohio AgriBusiness Association] Urges Runoff Reduction

Story originally published in The Hannah Report

The agriculture industry is sending a strong message to farmers around the state of Ohio: "Farmers must take seriously their responsibility to manage nutrients."

That message was delivered by a letter signed by 20 agriculture organizations around the state including the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation (OFBF), Ohio AgriBusiness Association, the Ohio State University's agriculture college and United Producers Inc. The letter has been circulating around the industry for the past two months.

Managing nutrients on farms plays a key role in reducing the runoff that can harm the state's waterways and create harmful algal blooms (HAB). The letter said that farmers should take it upon themselves to create a plan that works for them before public officials create mandatory standards.

"If farmers don’t do this on their own, there will be federal and state laws and regulations that will mandate how you farm," the letter stated.

OFBF spokesperson Joe Cornely told Hannah News that encouraging nutrient management plans is not a new practice for the bureau. But he did say that the letter, with such a large coalition of support, shows the importance of the issue and that it deserves the attention of farmers.

During the bureau's annual state meeting in November 2012, OFBF President Steve Hirsch discussed the importance of farmers finding a way to be more responsible with the use of fertilizer and manure.

"We expect all farm operations regardless of size to complete and follow a nutrient management plan," said Hirsch. "We support continued research on nutrient management and water quality and recommend farmers follow the International Fertilizer Institute 4R Nutrient Stewardship principles -- right source, right rate, right time and right place."

Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODAg) Communications Director Erica Hawkins told Hannah News that, while it may be winter, this is an ideal time for farmers to start creating a plan for how they will manage their nutrients since they are already deciding other elements such as what they are going to plant and where.

"The foundation of the 4R's … is to know what's in the soil and -- from a nutrient perspective -- to not add anything more than what is going to be needed for the year or for the planning cycle for the field," said Hawkins, adding that this is the time when farmers are making those determinations and buying the proper materials. "We really want this to be first and foremost in their thought process as they are starting to make their plans."

Hawkins also explained that this is a time when some people may try to put nutrients on ground that could be frozen and may not have the proper time to sink in before it thaws. She said ODAg is concerned that this will increase the likelihood of runoff. 

The Ohio Environmental Council (OEC) praised the agriculture industry Wednesday for its letter and also showed appreciation to Gov. John Kasich's administration for its role in a study that "urged prompt action to cut the amount of dissolved phosphorus and other agricultural nutrients entering into Ohio’s streams and water resources."

The OEC said that the report "jump-started" the effort to reduce runoff. The study was issued by a working group chaired by ODAg Director David Daniels, Ohio EPA Director Scott Nally, and Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Director James Zehringer.

"Most farmers are conservation minded. But some, due to economic circumstances or their traditional farming practices, simply have not been willing to take full advantage of these programs. We hope the ag-coalition letter helps motivate those farmers to take the matter of responsible nutrient use more seriously," said Joe Logan, director of Agriculture Programs for the OEC.

According to the environmental group, ODNR had to order five farmers in Grand Lake St. Marys drainage basin to take action to reduce nutrient runoff. The lake has been plagued with several algae outbreaks. (See The Hannah Report, 12/17/12.)

The letter ensured that farmers are not the only group to blame for HAB, but added that they must do their part in solving the problem.

"The harmful algal blooms that are driving public demands for solutions should not be blamed on farmers alone. Municipalities, homeowners and other industries will be expected to do their share to address the problems. But so, too, will agriculture," the letter said.

"Farmers must proactively solve this challenge. There’s more at risk than higher costs of regulation. Unless farmers make significant reductions in nutrient runoff, they will increasingly take the blame for phosphorus loading and toxic algae. As an industry committed to doing what’s right, agriculture should lead the way in accepting responsibility and acting responsibly," the letter concluded.

To read the letter signed by the 20-group agriculture coalition, visit http://ofbf.org/uploads/water-quality-impact-letter.pdf.

Story originally published in The Hannah Report on January 16, 2013.  Copyright 2013 Hannah News Service, Inc.