5. Terracing5. Terracing

This practice is applied to reduce soil erosion and/or to retainThis practice is applied to reduce soil erosion and/or to retainrun-off for moisture conservation, and consists of an earthrun-off for moisture conservation, and consists of an earthembankment, or a combination ridge and channel, constructed embankment, or a combination ridge and channel, constructed across the field slope.across the field slope.

Applies where:Applies where:

o Soil erosion by water is a problemSoil erosion by water is a problemo There is a need to conserve waterThere is a need to conserve watero The soils and topography are such that terraces can be The soils and topography are such that terraces can be constructed with reasonable effortconstructed with reasonable efforto A suitable outlet can be providedA suitable outlet can be providedo Excess runoff is a problemExcess runoff is a problem

Terraces – constructed across the slope to intercept run-offTerraces – constructed across the slope to intercept run-off

6. Cover crops6. Cover crops

Grasses, legumes, forbs, or other herbaceous plants Grasses, legumes, forbs, or other herbaceous plants established (usually directly drilled into seasonal crop) forestablished (usually directly drilled into seasonal crop) forwinter cover and conservation purposeswinter cover and conservation purposes

o Reduce erosion from wind and waterReduce erosion from wind and watero Increase soil organic matterIncrease soil organic mattero Manage excess nutrients in the soil profileManage excess nutrients in the soil profileo Promote biological N fixationPromote biological N fixationo Increase biodiversityIncrease biodiversityo Weed suppressionWeed suppressiono Provide supplement forageProvide supplement forageo Soil moisture managementSoil moisture management

Left: Drilling red fescue into Left: Drilling red fescue into winter wheatwinter wheat

Right: Grass cover cropRight: Grass cover cropemerging through the emerging through the wheat stubblewheat stubble

7. Nutrient management7. Nutrient management

This practice involves managing the amount, placement, and This practice involves managing the amount, placement, and timing of plant nutrients to obtain optimum yields and minimizetiming of plant nutrients to obtain optimum yields and minimizethe risk of surface and ground water pollution.the risk of surface and ground water pollution.

Nutrient management may be used on any area of land whereNutrient management may be used on any area of land whereplant nutrients are applied to enhance yields and maintain orplant nutrients are applied to enhance yields and maintain orimprove chemical and biological conditions of the soil.improve chemical and biological conditions of the soil.

The source of plant nutrients may be from organic wastes The source of plant nutrients may be from organic wastes (manure/slurry), commercial fertilizers, legumes or crop residue.(manure/slurry), commercial fertilizers, legumes or crop residue.

The objective is to apply the proper amount of nutrients at the The objective is to apply the proper amount of nutrients at the proper time to achieve the desired yield and minimize entryproper time to achieve the desired yield and minimize entryof nutrients into surface or ground waters.of nutrients into surface or ground waters.

Planning Nutrient Mangement involves the following Planning Nutrient Mangement involves the following considerations:considerations:

o National, state and local (EU?) water quality standardsNational, state and local (EU?) water quality standards

o Sources and forms of plant nutrients available to farmerSources and forms of plant nutrients available to farmer

o Amounts and timing of plant nutrients based upon soil testing,Amounts and timing of plant nutrients based upon soil testing, planned yield and growing season of target plantsplanned yield and growing season of target plants

o Evaluate the use of crop rotations that enhance efficiency of Evaluate the use of crop rotations that enhance efficiency of nutrient utilization and improve soil tilthnutrient utilization and improve soil tilth

o Consider waste storage requirements and land area Consider waste storage requirements and land area requirements for proper mangement of plant nutrientsrequirements for proper mangement of plant nutrients

The objective is to apply the The objective is to apply the proper amount of nutrients at proper amount of nutrients at the proper time to achieve the the proper time to achieve the desired yield and minimize entrydesired yield and minimize entry

of nutrients into surface or of nutrients into surface or ground waters.ground waters.

Spreading slurry the smart way – injection using hoses Spreading slurry the smart way – injection using hoses preceeded by cutting disk (insert)preceeded by cutting disk (insert)

Cross section of soil after slurry injection Cross section of soil after slurry injection

Livestock considerations : free access to a river = manureLivestock considerations : free access to a river = manureand urine direct to water + destruction of bank habitat. (Insert =and urine direct to water + destruction of bank habitat. (Insert =Alternative watering solution)Alternative watering solution)