News

Farmers are reducing phosphorous loss in Lake Erie

The USDA says farmers are making significant progress in reducing phosphorous runoff in the Western Lake Erie Basin. Dr. Kevin King, an engineer with the USDA Agriculture Research Service says agriculture is on target to help reduce phosphorous in the lake by 40 percent.

“Around 30 to 35 percent of the producers are already at the recommendations that have been set forth and another 60 percent are right on the verge of that. Through some of the practices that have been set forth through edge of field and upland type practices, in field type practices they can meet the goals that are set forward” says King.

King told participants at the State of the Science conference in Toledo, Ohio legal application of phosphorous on fields has caused buildup, or “legacy” phosphorous levels in fields. He tells Brownfield it will take years of careful field management to lower the levels.

“Over time, some 30, 40, 50 years we’ve built up those phosphorous levels to now to where they’re either up above or at the maintenance range, so we don’t need any more phosphorous levels to speak of in those systems so they can slowly leech out given the right conditions.” says King.

King says farmers in the Western Lake Erie Basin have focused on water management as much as nutrient management in crop fields and have implemented plans to retain water in fields as long as possible to prevent high levels of phosphorous loss.

Audio: Dr. Kevin King, USDA-ARS