The environmental impact of irrigated agriculture on ground and surface water resources in Minnesota is of major concern. Better irrigation scheduling has the potential in addressing these complex agricultural environmental challenges we face in Minnesota.
Over the last several years our regional atmospheric measurements and mesocosm experiments have revealed that reactive nitrogen losses associated with corn production are likely to increase as our climate continues to get warmer and wetter.
Minnesota has an interim goal of 20% reduction in nitrate-N load in Minnesota waters by 2025. One structural drainage practice that can immediately contribute to nitrate reduction is the woodchip bioreactor.
Corporate supply chain, commodity production group, government farm and environmental protection agency and societal forces have stimulated the development of a wide range of assessment tools to determine the sustainability of farming practices.
This project complements the many other collaborative effort occurring in the larger watershed. Unfortunately, stream and near stream sediment sources are a significant contributor to chronic turbidity and habitat degradation in the Root River, yet little has been done to address this resource concern.