Search

• Agricultural BMPs for Groundwater Protection: Conduct a comprehensive inventory of agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs) that reduce loss of nitrogen to groundwater. The inventory can either be a reorganization of the current 2017 MDA document titled “The Agricultural BMP Handbook for Minnesota” to differentiate between groundwater and surface water benefits, or the addition of a new chapter dedicated to groundwater. Key considerations for each cited BMP include nitrogen loss reduction efficiency, installation cost, and knowledge gaps in the context of Minnesota climate, soils and crop production systems. The inventory must consider regional differences in the effectiveness of each BMP based on differences in geology and groundwater susceptibility to contamination.

• Develop Protocols for Evaluating Groundwater Quality Impacts of Precision Agriculture: Coordinate the development of protocols for the evaluation of precision agriculture systems including software decision support tools, optical sensor-based systems and other variable rate technologies, for their ability to precisely estimate crop nitrogen demand. The protocols must be developed with input from agricultural organizations and companies and the MDA and should be completed in a one year time frame.

• Economics of Cover Crops: Develop a comprehensive guide on the economics of common cover crop species (those not covered by the Forever Green Initiative) in the state. The guide should focus primarily on regional studies to evaluate costs associated with the establishment of cover crop species used in Minnesota (single and mixes) and discuss their winter survival ability (risk management). The guide must consider costs associated with seeding, maintenance and termination, and it should also discuss the potential impact of cover crop practices on the yield of the cash crop, and water quality related to the different agricultural contaminants.

• Innovative Nutrient Management Strategies: Develop and test innovative on-farm methods or technologies for agricultural nutrient management to improve nutrient utilization and reduce negative impacts on agricultural surface and/or ground water. The methods or technologies can be a new, or already used elsewhere and be adapted for use with Minnesota’s agricultural production systems. The State prefers to use methods or technologies with potential for high cost efficiency (cost-effective), that are applicable to large areas of the state or are effective within drinking water supply management areas (DWSMAs).

• Continue field data collection from recently completed or nearly completed projects. The projects must relate to nitrogen rate estimation using optical sensing, winter annual cover crops, or bioaugmentation and biostimulation of woodchip bioreactors. The project must clearly demonstrate the value of the continued data collection and document the use and impact of the data collected. The project cost is not to exceed $100,000.
• Develop a comprehensive inventory summarizing cover crop and perennial vegetation research and demonstration data that has focused predominantly in Minnesota. The data can include farmer-led cover crop projects. Compile the information into a document similar to the 2017 Minnesota Agricultural BMP Handbook. The document should be written in a way that makes information readily accessible for field practitioners, including farmers and technical assistance staff. The document should reference previous work and provide proper citations. At a minimum the inventory should provide:
  • A description of each crop species;
  • Soil characteristics and/or landscape limitations or suitability;
  • Practical aspects of establishment and management of the crop, including seeding & termination;
  • Potential interaction with herbicide program for the main crop;
  • Nutrient crediting;
  • Effects (positive or negative) on primary crop yield;
  • Costs and other economic considerations;
  • Potential barriers to adoption;
  • Potential uses or markets for the crop;
  • Environmental benefits/ecosystem services or consequences of crop establishment (e.g., carbon sequestration, water infiltration and nutrient leaching, runoff quality) and;
  • Research needs for ongoing projects.
• Compare the amount of water applied, crop production and nitrate leaching losses for corn on irrigated coarse-textured soils when using different irrigation decision support tools, such as the Irrigation Management Assistant, the U of M Extension checkbook method, in-field soil moisture monitoring systems, common irrigator practices or other methods.

Address research gaps identified in the 2012 Minnesota Agricultural Best Management Practice (BMP) Handbook for common agricultural drainage water management practices, including one or more of the following: the sediment, nitrogen and phosphorus reduction effectiveness, associated biogeochemical processes, resulting hydrologic impacts, or construction design criteria. This can include the continuation of currently funded projects to encourage long-term data assessment or linking multiple practices to determine the effectiveness of a treatment-train approach.

• Evaluate and quantify, using field plots, the impact and effects of agricultural fertilizer BMPs and/or soil health principles on sub-surface drainage water quality, specifically the movement and loss of nitrates, phosphorus, and other contaminants.
• Conduct an assessment of whether agricultural conservation practices (management, vegetative, and structural) remain and are effective after the expiration of their contract and design life expectations; although LiDAR data may be critical in the assessment, the proposal must also include an onsite field walkover survey of Minnesota farms coordinated with a partnering Soil and Water Conservation District or other local government unit. Evaluate whether the conservation practice is functioning, its age, and to what extent maintenance contributed to the functionality or life expectancy of the practice. Determine the reason(s) why or why not a practice has been maintained by the operator. Additional considerations may include:
  • Evaluation of the expected remaining effectiveness of each practice based on NRCS Standards and Specification and Operation and Maintenance plans.
  • Evaluation of the practicality and cost effectiveness for these practices to be modified to provide added, alternative, or longer-lasting water quality benefits.