Our Mission Helping people help the land. NRCS Natural Resources Conservation Service Our Vision Productive Lands ---- Healthy Environment

Environmental Quality Incentives Program USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service January 19, 2007 Financial Incentives for Nutrient and Pest Management

 Locally Led Process  Based on Sound Conservation Planning  For Working Lands  Not Land Retirement  Financial Assistance  Agreements with Landusers How EQIP Works at the Local Level

Locally Led Conservation Model Public Participation and Conservation Needs Assessment Identify and Prioritize Needs Goal Setting Identify programs and funding Identify programs and funding Conservation Action Plan & Proposals USDA Programs EQIP Implement Plan Measure Performance Conservation District convenes and leads local working group with partners We are here ANNUAL PROCESS – Are You Involved?

 Soil tilth  Invasive plants  Water quality  Water quantity  Poor grazing  Animal health  Habitat Locally Led Natural Resource Problems or Concerns  Air quality  Agriculture Chemicals  Nutrients  Soil compaction  Irrigation water management  Landuse conversion These Will Vary By County

Conservation Planning Solves Resource Concerns Overgrazing Redcedar Invasion Water development Cross fencing Prescribed grazing Brush management mechanical chemical biological

Conservation Planning Solves Resource Concerns Cropland and Grasslands Soil erosion sheet and rill gully ephemeral Grade stabilization structure (GSS) Sediment Basin Diversions

Financial Assistance Through written agreements (contracts) with landusers - NRCS provides a share of the cost the landuser incurs in installing the conservation practices and systems that solve a specified natural resource problem.

Program Contract Yada Yada Yada Conservation Plan Participant Install practices Payment of costs Maintain practices NRCS Design and layout practices Payment of cost-share to participant Technical assistance Good Planning Merges with Financial Assistance in an EQIP Contract

 Uses locally led process  Provides financial assistance for structural, vegetative, and management practices  Requires an EQIP plan of operations  Cost sharing may pay up to 75% of the costs of structural practices  Incentive Payments Are a Flat Rate per Acre Environmental Quality Incentives Program Summary

Incentive Payments Explained  Management Practices  Not currently or previously being used by that person  Not a subsidy  Reduces Financial Risk of Adopting New Management or Technology  Viable Practice Without The Payment  High Potential of Being Continued After Payment Ends

 Nutrient Management  Calibration Strips  Chemigation  Precision Sensor  Split Application of Nitrogen  Pest Management  Through Crop Systems Available Incentive Payments Nutrient and Pest Management

Nutrient Management Calibration Strips DEFINITION  This is an incentive payment for the application of nutrients in a manner that minimizes the risk of leaving the field. It includes the use of nitrogen rich or ramped calibration strips in crop fields to determine split application rates for nitrogen. It includes the use of precision tools (i.e. GreenSeeker) to determine nitrogen needs as well as application tools to establish nitrogen rich strips or ramped calibration strips.  Must Meet Nutrient Management Standard

Nutrient Management Calibration Strips  RATE  $5.00/acre  DOLLAR CAP  $3,200.00/year  ACRE CAP  640  TIME LIMIT  Up to 3 Years

Nutrient Management Chemigation DEFINITION  This is an incentive payment to use improved technology for nutrient management applications to crops and grasses. Allowable when nutrients are applied through irrigation systems using chemigation valves and components. Applications must be according to the Nutrient Management standard (590) and not exceed recommended crop and grass yield requirements and not cause surface or ground water quality problems.  Must Meet Nutrient Management Standard

Nutrient Management Chemigation  RATE  $8.00/acre  DOLLAR CAP  $5,120.00/year  ACRE CAP  640  TIME LIMIT  Up to 3 Years

Nutrient Management Precision Sensor DEFINITION  This is an incentive payment to use advanced technology for nutrient management applications to crops and grasses. Includes the costs of application of nutrients (labor and equipment) using precision sensor technology (i.e. GreenSeeker) to deliver prescribed fertilizer through spray systems at variable rates across a crop or grass field, resulting in more efficient use of fertilizers according to the actual plant needs which are variable across the field.  Must Meet Nutrient Management Standard

Nutrient Management Precision Sensor  RATE  $12.00/acre  DOLLAR CAP  $7,680.00/year  ACRE CAP  640  TIME LIMIT  Up to 3 Years

Nutrient Management Split Application of Nitrogen DEFINITION  This is an incentive payment related to the methods used for nitrogen applications on the field. Application of fertilizer will be done as split applications during the growing season. No more than 75% of annual needs are applied at one time. Records will be maintained which document application rates, times, amounts, soil test results, etc.  Must Meet Nutrient Management Standard

Nutrient Management Split Application of Nitrogen  RATE  $1.00/acre  DOLLAR CAP  $640.00/year  ACRE CAP  640  TIME LIMIT  Up to 3 Years

Pest Management Through Crop Systems DEFINITION  This is an incentive payment to use crop systems that aid in the control or suppression of pests and reduce the overall use of pesticides in the field. It covers the extra costs necessary for the purchase of the crop seed technology (GMOs) and/or labor expenses associated with pest control (Organic Farming). It also includes costs for using RTK level GPS auto steer on equipment and/or auto boom control to reduce spray overlap.  Must Meet Pest Management Standard

Pest Management Through Crop Systems  RATE  $10.00/acre  DOLLAR CAP  $6,400.00/year  ACRE CAP  640  TIME LIMIT  Up to 3 Years

Examples of Other Incentive Payments That Are Available  No-Till  $15.00/acre with $19,200 Cap  Conservation Crop Rotation  $20.00/acre with $12,800 Cap  Conversion of Class IV or Worse Cropland to Grass  $10.00/acre with $6,400 Cap  Patch Burn Grazing  $5.00/acre with $6,400 Cap

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