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Nutrients and Hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico- an Update on Progress

Nutrients and Hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico- an Update on Progress. C.S. Snyder, PhD, CCA Nitrogen Program Director Presented to ASFFPCO 2008. Hypoxia. about 80-85% of our fertilizer markets. FL. Represents about 80% of our grain and oilseed production. 91 scientists on “short list”

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Nutrients and Hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico- an Update on Progress

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  1. Nutrients and Hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico- an Update on Progress C.S. Snyder, PhD, CCA Nitrogen Program Director Presented to ASFFPCO 2008

  2. Hypoxia about 80-85% of our fertilizer markets FL Represents about 80% of our grain and oilseed production

  3. 91 scientists on “short list” • 23 seated (including M. David, R. Lowrance, A. Sharpley, T. Simpson, and C. Snyder) State-of-the Science Evaluation of Hypoxia in GOM by EPA Hypoxia SAB Miss. R./GOM Watershed Nutrient Task Force (Federal & State Agencies) New Action Plan Where is the science now? 2007. Donner & Scavia. Limnol. Oceanogr. During wet year …… 50 to 60% reduction in discharge required to meet 1,900 sq. mi. goal

  4. 2015 Hypoxia Goal Gulf of Mexico Hypoxia Area Square miles of hypoxia No Data 15 Year Hypoxia data from N. Rabalais, LUMCON

  5. Notable Declines

  6. AnnualWater and N Discharge by the Mississippi & Atchafalaya Rivers

  7. AnnualP & Silicate Discharge by the Mississippi & Atchafalaya Rivers

  8. Nutrient Discharge by 5 Major Sub-basins

  9. Sub-basin Contributions of N & P

  10. Spring N Discharge by the Mississippi & Atchafalaya Rivers

  11. SpringP & Silicate Discharge by the Mississippi & Atchafalaya Rivers

  12. N and P Discharge and Hypoxia in Gulf of Mexico Snyder. 2008. Better Crops. 92(2):16-22.

  13. 2015 Hypoxia Goal Gulf of Mexico Hypoxia Area Square miles of hypoxia No Data 15 Year Hypoxia data from N. Rabalais, LUMCON

  14. 51% increase in N efficiency 12% increase in N fertilizer use Since 1975: Corn grain produced in the U.S. per unit of fertilizer N used, 1964 to 2005. 1.15 * 0.76 *Application rate for 2004 estimated as avg of 2003 & 2005. Data sources: USDA Ag Chem Use Survey & Annual Crop Production.

  15. Eutrophication and Hypoxia – Not Just a U.S. Problem:A Global Concern As reported in 2008 by Chesapeake Bay Foundation

  16. USGS Estimates Loss of N and P to Water Resources in Different Areas SPARROW - Modeled Estimate of N and P Discharge in Watersheds of the Mississippi R. Basin kg/ha .001 .001- 0.01 0.01 to 0.1 0.1 to 0.5 0.5-1.0 >1 kg/ha .01 .01- 0.1 0.1 to 1 1 to 5 5 to 10 >10 Alexander et al. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2008, 42, 822–830

  17. Nutrient Use Efficiency & Effectiveness Fertilizer BMPs ….. right source @ right rate @right time & right placement

  18. NUE Galloway & Cowling, 2002; UNEP, 2003

  19. Global Frameworkfor Fertilizer BMPs ECONOMIC Net profit Quality Return on investment Resource use efficiencies: Energy Profitability Adoption Labor Nutrient Rate Soil productivity Source Water Yield stability Cropping System Sustainability Yield Productivity Place Time Nutrient balance Farm income Nutrient loss Biological & Social Environment Working conditions Soil erosion Biodiversity Water & air quality Ecosystem services ECOLOGICAL SOCIAL

  20. SUMMARY • There is reason to believe that declines in discharge of N and P to the GOM are proceeding through voluntary actions by farmers, their advisers, and their suppliers • Driven by global economic pressures, local and personal profitability goals and objectives, a greater environmental consciousness and stewardship ethic, farmers and practitioners are increasingly implementing fertilizer BMPs.

  21. SUMMARY • Increased crop yields, improved plant genetic selection, and improved pest control may all be contributing to the lowered net anthropic N and net anthropic P inputs observed in the last decade or more. • Benefits are reflected in lower N and P delivery to the Gulf of Mexico during the peak spring (April-June) discharge ….. • Except in epic flood years like 2008

  22. SUMMARY • Farmers will need to maintain their vigilance and improve their skills to achieve further gains in nutrient use efficiency and effectiveness. • Progress is being made, more is expected, ….. good reason for optimism as knowledge expands • Research on improved nutrient management and education and outreach can help reduce nutrient losses from fields

  23. Louisiana Master Farmer Program Collaborations/Partnerships

  24. QUESTIONS ? Please Visit the IPNI Website: www.ipni.net

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