Interest in using cover crops and building soil health seems to be growing among farm producers. Registrations filled quickly for the Soil Health Field Day June 28 at the U of M West Central Research and Outreach Center at Morris. The next day, June 29, farmers and agency staff filled the large meeting room at the Renville Community Center to hear about cover crops and the experiences of local farmers. Photo: WCROC field day visitors examine cover crop samples being described by Marisol Berti, Professor of Forage and Biomass Crop Production at NDSU.

Most agree on the benefits of cover crops: Soil protection from wind and water erosion, increased soil organic matter, root 'tillage', nitrogen control, water infiltration. But to provide economic incentive, researchers are looking for more ways to cash in on cover crops. For example, camelina yields a healthy, tasty edible oil. It reduces nitrogen leaching in the soil, and also offers pollinator benefits, not to mention bio-fuel for jets. Adding cattle to a farm can generate income from cover crop forage.

Once people hear an amazing statistic about soil biology, they begin to appreciate the value of building soil health. One cup of healthy soil is said to contain nine billion microbes. Healthy soil is a living biobass that helps both crop production and water quality. The farmer panel at the Renville cover crop event agreed that while getting started can be challenging, the results are well worth the effort.

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A 4R Nutrient Management field day will be held July 25 at the Dave Legvold farm near Northfield. 4Rs - Right source, Right rate, Right time, Right place - uses best management practices that optimize the efficiency of fertilizer use. The Minnesota Agricultural Water Resource Center is hosting the event and coordinating advance registration. There is no cost to attend, with expenses being covered by sponsors including The Mosaic Company, Environmental Tillage Systems and The Fertilizer Institute.

Speakers include: Tim Radatz of the MAWRC, Mark Dittrich of the MDA, Jeff Vetsch of the University of Minnesota, Melinda Sposari of TF, Steve Emory of CPS, and Adam Herges of Mosaic. CEUs will be available for Certified Crop Advisors in attendance. Photo, KYMN radio: Dave Legvold receives Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification at the Conservation Technology Information Center field day at his farm in 2015. Register here.

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Federal scientists forecast that this summer’s Gulf of Mexico dead zone – an area of low to no oxygen that can kill fish and other marine life – will be approximately 8,185 square miles, or about the size of New Jersey. This would be the third largest dead zone recorded since monitoring began 32 years ago – the average Gulf dead zone since then has been 5,309 square miles. - NOAA news release, 7/20/17. (NOAA photo).

This year’s predicted large size is due mainly to heavy May stream flows, which were about 34 percent above the long-term average and carried higher-than-average nutrient loads. The USGS estimates that 165,000 metric tons of nitrate – about 2,800 train cars of fertilizer – and 22,600 metric tons of phosphorus flowed down the Mississippi and Atchafalaya rivers into the Gulf of Mexico in May. The USGS operates more than 3,000 real-time stream gauges, 60 real-time nitrate sensors, and tracks trends in nutrient loads and concentrations throughout the Mississippi-Atchafalaya watershed, which drains parts or all of 31 states.

To help reduce nutrient runoff, NOAA provides information to farmers through its Runoff Risk Advisory Forecasts, which tell them when to avoid applying fertilizers to their croplands. Minnesota and other states in the region have developed strategies toward achieving the goal of a 45 percent reduction in phosphorus (by 2025) and nitrogen (by 2040, with interim goal of 20 percent by 2025).

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Similar to other major watersheds in the Minnesota River Basin, Hawk Creek shows a stark contrast between start and finish. It begins at Eagle Lake north of Willmar, and flows through a chain of three lakes before its 65-mile journey southwest to the Minnesota River. From the lakes bordering the north central hardwoods region, it flows through the fertile prairie pothole region and into the river, a fall of nearly 300 feet.

A regional park designation and playground project at Robbins Island Park in Willmar is renewing interest in water quality in the lakes: Willmar, Swan, and Foot. In 2008 and 2009 the Hawk Creek Watershed Project received Surface Water Assessment Grant to monitor all major lakes in the upper watershed. A reassessment of the data may lead to Willmar Lake joining Swan Lake on the MPCA's impaired waters list.

The presentation "Willmar chain of lakes - past, present, future" was featured at  the June 23 meeting of the Hawk Creek Watershed Project. It describes how in the early years the lakes became severely polluted from raw sewage and dump sites. Restoring them became a popular topic in the mid-1950s and 60s. Dredging a portion of Foot Lake in the 1970s has greatly improved fishing and aquatic recreation. Clean-up efforts and better stormwater management hold promise for the future. The Board of Water and Soil Resources summer tour plans include a stop at Robbins Island Park in Willmar Aug. 23 to hear about the chain of lakes and regional park. (Aerial photo by Bruce Jaeger. From bottom: Foot, Willmar, Swan, Skataas, Eagle)

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Redwood, Cottonwood rivers

If the weather forecast had cooperated a little better, the June 22 paddle event on the Cottonwood River would have seen a record turnout. Kerry Netzke, Redwood-Cottonwood Rivers Control Area director, said 74 had signed up for the annual expediton, with 48 making it out on the river.

Despite a rain shower at the start and the usual watery adventures along the way, the paddlers enjoyed pleasant temperatures, no mosquitoes, and a swift current at 2,500 cubic feet per second. They started from a canoe launch area south of Essig and paddled to Flandreau State Park in New Ulm and a picnic lunch. A paddle event on the Redwood River June 20 drew 35 people.

"This is our way of providing education and outreach, by getting people out on the river," Kerry says. RCRCA owns four canoes and three kayaks, which can be rented for $10 per day. Along with the outreach activities, RCRCA staff are currently busy with sampling, including a Surface Water Assessment Grant covering 24 streams and 10 lakes in the two watersheds. For more information about the rentals contact Kerry at 507-532-1325, kerry.netzke@rcrca.com. Photo: Pat Schumacher of New Ulm maneuvers his inflatable kayak. "Rollin' on the river," New Ulm Journal, June 26.

West branch Lac qui Parle River

A small flotilla of kayaks and canoes paddled up and down a portion of the West Branch Lac qui Parle River on June 29. They paddled about 2-1/2 miles upstream from Veteran’s Park in Dawson, returning downstream in time for a picnic lunch. The Lac qui Parle-Yellow Bank Watershed District staff grilled brats, burgers, and hot dogs with some side dishes and chips, followed by ice cream floats. "Overall, it was a mostly overcast but calm day," said Mitch Enderson, district coordinator. "The sun peaked out a little bit and the temperature, water levels, and current were perfect for the trip. We had 12 people go along, half in kayaks and half in canoes."  

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New faces at Pomme de Terre River Association

The Pomme de Terre River Association office in Morris recently welcomed new staff replacing Jared House. Stephanie Adams (left in photo) arrived in January as the new administrator. Nicole Erickson started in May as technician. Originally from Ohio, Stephanie previously worked with a watershed organization in Montana. Nicole is from Brainerd and recently graduated from University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

Kara Kaehler moved from the DNR office in Spicer to take a newly-created administrative staff job with the Middle Fork Crow Watershed District.

Scott Mackenthun started in March with DNR fisheries in New Ulm, replacing Lee Sundmark who has retired.

Jeremy Maul is the new BWSR Board Conservationist in the New Ulm office, covering Chippewa, Renville, McLeod, Brown and Redwood counties. He has been with BWSR for the past 10 years, and prior to that, the Fillmore County SWCD.

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The Dept. of Agriculture has selected two projects to receive Clean Water Fund research contracts. Thirteen proposals were submitted totaling more than $2.8 million in requested funds. The two selected projects total $556,703.

Dr. Jeffrey Strock, U of M Southwest Research and Outreach Center, Lamberton, will research “Integrated Landscape Management for Agricultural Production and Water Quality.” It establishes a site where the impact of multiple, combined BMPs can be measured. Nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment will be monitored individually and cumulatively from in-field, edge-of-field, and in-stream BMPs.

Research data collected will be used to determine the hydrologic, nitrogen, phosphorous, and sediment reduction potential of these integrated strategies and their potential for meeting Minnesota's Nutrient Reduction Strategy goals. Additionally, the project will demonstrate the ability to meet the dual goals of maintaining farm productivity while improving watershed conditions and water quality. Photo: Dr. Jeffrey Strock at field day in 2014 on Brian Hicks farm in Redwood County.

Dr. Gary Sands, U of M Dept. of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, will research “Improving Design, Performance, and Implementation of Saturated Buffers.” This project seeks to increase both the effectiveness and use of saturated buffers as a BMP to reduce nitrogen loss from artificially drained agricultural lands. It will develop a planning tool to enable local professionals and conservation staff to integrate key site information into the decision-making process for siting and designing saturated buffers.

Additional information is online at mda.state.mn.us/cleanwaterfund/research. - Dept. of Agriculture news release, 6/13/17.

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In a new book edited by Dr. Anthony Amato, Southwest State University, a collection of 11 essays by 10 authors offers a fresh look on past conservation issues in the Midwest and plains. “Conservation on the Northern Plains: New Perspectives” revisits the ‘noble conservation ethic’ of the past in the current context that includes climate change, politics, and the “Anthropocene,” which “defines Earth's most recent geologic time period as being human-influenced” (Source: The Encyclopedia of Earth).

The essays provide interesting and readable stories suitable for students, community and conservation groups, and libraries. In the foreword, Minneapolis Star Tribune outdoor columnist Dennis Anderson writes: “I would propose that the human dimension upon which the conservation of natural resources depends going forward is kids’ experiential exposure to nature beginning before they are five years old….However entry to, and appreciation of, the natural world is achieved is good enough, as long as it is achieved.”

The book “challenges widespread assumptions about people and nature, reframing understandings of both in the process…. In addressing conservation’s reach, the authors reflect on the ordinary, the extraordinary, and the spaces in between, covering species ranging from horses to honeybees and from pheasants to wolves. Each essay is a call to revisit conservation and re-engage in discussions of use and the environment. This collection tackles conservation issues in eight states and Canada, giving special attention to Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming.” (Source: Center for Western Studies, Augustana University).

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