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Responses (2) to "How are members of the USFRA addressing the massive dead zones (in the Gulf"

1. Cheryl Day, October 11, 2011

   I am a grain and livestock farmer in Central Illinois. I farm in area of heavy tiled fields. Why? Simple if our crops sit in water more than 24 hours it dies. As a corner stone of farming properly managing drainage water is crucial. Putting the crucial role tile plays in farming aside, without tile then soil erosion in my area will be increased dramatically. I care deeply about the quality of water. So if you just look at tile then you would say I am single handling causing the dead zone-But NO. It is a big picture. Many things contribute to the dead zone of the gulf-homeowners fertilizing their lawns, salt on the roads, wastewater treatment plants.
   
   I as a farmer cannot afford to lose nitrogen because it is expensive. I soil test to only apply the nutrients that each field needs including manure application. When applying I use the right time, right rate, and right method theory.
   
   Again, I encourage you to get the actual facts behind press reports. Points to ponder: the dead zone existed before commercial fertilizer - how did it get there? Phosphorus plants on the gulf are they leaking? Look forward to future converstations on this matter.

2. Rex Peterson, October 12, 2011

   Over the Ogalla Aquifer which feeds the rivers that flow into the Mississippi from the west, the Natural Resource District meetings that report on changes in ground water level and nitrate content are very well attended. We take this seriously and have adopted techniques that minimize nitrate loss. We fertilize only the amount that will be removed by the expected crop yield, we spread the fertilizer applications if possible, we no till farm to improve the soil tilth so that runoff is reduced and more water is actually held in the soil and organic matter is increased to bind the nitrogen in the soil. We also grow cover crops to improve the soil more than to provide green manure.