According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), water runoff from farms in the leading source of impairments to surveyed rivers and lakes. Agricultural runoff contains fertilizers and other chemicals that can damage marine ecosystems in lakes and rivers and affect the quality of drinking water drawn for treatment from those water sources.
As a result, many farmers in Virginia now use best management practices (BMPs) that help minimize runoff. This is a win-win because it not only keeps fertilizers out of the nearby waterways but also keeps them in the fields where they most benefit the crops.
Brandon Farms in Dunnsville, Virginia, grows primarily corn and soybeans using several BMPs to reduce runoff. Farmer Bob Waring explains that they do not till their soil. They plant seed among the remains of the previous crop. This allows the soil to form what Warner calls a residue, which helps hold the soil together when the field receives irrigation or rainfall. Tilled soil is loose and more likely to wash away, along with any fertilizers and chemicals. To see this dynamic in action, view this short video of a rain simulator (view full screen to see captions). After harvesting the cash crops, cover crops such as clover help prevent runoff during the off-season.
Warner’s farm also practices precision agriculture. Instead of applying equal amounts of fertilizers to the entire field, soil testing in numerous locations throughout the field reveal the specific nutrient needs of each area. As the feeder equipment crosses the field, it applies a specialized fertilizer mixture to each section based on the soil analysis. Camera equipped drones allow aerial views of the fields to make sure the crops are healthy. A healthy crop means anything applied to the field is being absorbed by the plants and not running off into nearby waterways.
Finally, Brandon Farms features good old-fashioned grass buffers around each field. These areas help catch any runoff that may still occur despite the other high tech BMPs used.
These are just a few examples of the many efforts Virginia farmers are making to protect our source water. If you have any questions for Bob Warner, feel free to contact him at Brandonfarms3012@gmail.com.