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Researchers do data deep dive to study phosphorus losses

A university of Wisconsin team is looking at how certain farming practices help reduce phosphorus losses. 

Dr. Steven Hall says his team has been doing a deep dive on data from the state’s nutrient management plan software. “A team of us at UW have been really exhaustively using the SNAP+ nutrient management software to game out many different kinds of scenarios to try to get a handle on what are the best practices for reducing phosphorus losses from different kinds of ag systems.”

Hall tells Brownfield around the state, there is definitely a pattern of success with reduced tillage intensity. “In many cases, a strip till system was almost as effective as a strict no-till system in terms of decreasing phosphorus runoff from a number of different cropping systems.”

Hall says the use of cover crops was also effective in reducing phosphorus losses, but the key was getting the cover crops established early.

Hall spoke to Brownfield during the Badger Crop Update meeting in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

AUDIO: Dr. Steven Hall discusses the UW phosphorus runoff study with Brownfield’s Larry Lee at the Badger Crop Update meeting in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.