Taking on the Challenge Addressing Sustainability and Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy Goals Caroline Wade, Nutrient Watershed Manager Illinois Corn Growers Association

Agricultural Production There’s a challenge facing agriculture: Raise more food while protecting natural resources. The Illinois ag community is taking on that challenge, particularly as it relates to managing nutrients and improving sustainability.

Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy Update Provides a framework for reducing nutrient losses to improve Illinois water quality and the quality of water leaving the state and entering the Gulf of Mexico. The goal is to reduce the annual loading of nitrate‐nitrogen and total phosphorus to the Mississippi River by 45% (measured against the average load over the 1980‐1996 time period) Interim goals: Nitrate‐nitrogen 15% by 2025 Total phosphorus 25% by

Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy Ongoing Workgroups: Policy Working Group Nutrient Monitoring Council Nutrient Science Advisory Committee Agricultural Water Quality Partnership Forum Urban Stormwater Working Group Benchmarking Group 4

Good news! Illinois River showed recent water quality improvements! The amount of nitrate that flowed down the river each year from 2010 to 2014 was 10 percent less than the average amount during a baseline period of 1980 to

6 More good news! Indian Creek also showed recent water quality improvements! 50% of farmers in the watershed adopted improved nutrient management practices or planted cover crops!

NLRS - Nutrient Monitoring Council Great Lakes to Gulf Virtual Observatory The GLTG ℠ virtual observatory makes available current science characterizing nutrient and water quality issues. Through visualizing water quality monitoring data and land-use data across sources and agencies, the virtual observatory provides insight to changes in water quality with a user friendly interface.

Gulf Hypoxia Task Force Great Lakes to Gulf Virtual Observatory

Demonstrating progress through engagement and increased adoption of BMPs will help keep the strategy voluntary To demonstrate progress, farmers will need to become engaged, consider the suggested BMPs and adopt practices that make sense for their operations. Voluntary programs will allow us to reduce losses while maintaining economic viability So, what are farmers doing? Reaching Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy and Sustainability goals

Conservation Story Map 10 /What-Illinois-Farmers-Are- Doing/ University recommended Nitrogen rates Nitrification Inhibitors Split application of nitrogen Cover Crops Conservation tillage Bioreactors Wetlands Buffers

But I haven’t lost any, right? My neighbor maybe….. Measures ambient concentration of Nitrate and Ammonium Sponsored by: “We can’t change what we aren’t measuring”

How much nitrogen is being lost? concentration x flow = load If you’re filling up a 5 gallon bucket every 2 seconds, that’s 18lbs lost every day! Water testing program

13 Water testing program

Sustainability  Water Quality  Land use  Soil conservation  Soil carbon  Water use  Greenhouse gases  Energy use  Biodiversity 14

Reaching Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy and Sustainability goals Producers will need to adopt practices that will: Use nutrients more efficiently Improve soil quality Reduce soil erosion Use energy and water resources more efficiently Protect water quality BMPs that reduce nutrient losses will also help meet supply chain sustainability demand

Wetlands and Pollinators

Cover Crops Benefits include: Reduce nutrient losses Reduce soil erosion Improve soil quality/soil health Improve soil carbon Sequester carbon Use of cover crops can help meet Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy goals and help meet supply chain sustainability demands

Soil Health The capacity of a soil to function as a vital, living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals, and humans.

Questions? Caroline Wade Nutrient Watershed Manager Illinois Corn Carole Drive Bloomington, IL mobile: