11/19/07 Conservation Innovation Grants in Idaho, part 2

Magic Valley farmer Dave Roper is studying three different methods of land application of lagoon sludge. NRCS Assistant Conservationist Mark Weatherstone says this project is aimed at minimizing odor and nutrient transport related to surface runoff. WEATHERSTONE "We've got ten field trials with swine and dairy producers; each of the field trials is a 400 by 400 foot plot. So the three application methods that we're looking at is its slurry broadcast on the surface, broadcast and then surface incorporation with a rotary harrow and then we're looking at the slurry being injected actually into the surface using ripper shanks." Thanks to a 2006 Conservation Innovation Grant Roper works with scientists from Agricultural Research Service and the University of Idaho to collect emissions and runoff data. ARS monitors the odor release at each plot for several days before and after sludge application, checking the levels of about 11 different gases. WEATHERSTONE "ARS has set up a rainfall simulator over each of these plots and they apply intense precipitation. Runoff is captured and nutrients are analyzed in that runoff." So far, the data shows the injection system significantly reduces ammonia levels but Roper cautions against drawing conclusions because of soil inconsistencies. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott