Manure Nutrient Utilization on Growing Crops
Potential environmental impacts from animal manure are minimized when manure nutrients are fully utilized by a growing crop. Manure nutrients were used as the primary nitrogen source applied to corn and winter wheat during the growing season. Through the use of on-farm replicated demonstration plots liquid swine manure was applied between corn rows during the growing season (side-dress) and to winter wheat in early spring just prior to breaking dormancy (top-dress). Each plot was compared with petroleum based nitrogen fertilizers. There was no significant yield difference between manure or commercial fertilizer nutrients on these plots.

Great Lakes Regional Water Quality funding made it possible to demonstrate over three consecutive years that liquid manure applied at side-dress is a viable nitrogen resource for growing corn. This same funding source has made it possible to begin on-farm replicated demonstration projects utilizing liquid manure as a nutrient resource for winter wheat. Again, demonstrating the viability of manure nutrients as a resource and protecting water quality by more fully recycle these nutrients through a growing crop.

Integrating State Guidelines and Recommendations for Mitigating
Liquid Manure Discharges from Artificially Drained Cropland
The movement of liquid manure into surface waters from artificially drained cropland is a concern. This national workshop highlighted the current level of understanding and potential solutions identified through research and extension programs.

A two-day workshop was conducted to increase the level of understanding about the fate of liquid manure applied on artificially drained cropland; identify potential solutions available to prevent the movement of animal manure; and identify future research, extension, and outreach activities in the Midwest. Participants included decision-makers in agriculture, university faculty and staff, agricultural associations, organization representatives, regulatory personnel, consultants, advisors, technicians, agri-business representatives, and interested producers.

As a result of this program, general guidelines and recommendations for liquid manure application on artificially drained cropland have been drafted and are expected to become part of regional/national land application standard for liquid animal manure. Results from this workshop have been presented in several venues reaching about 1,300 people.

Ohio Nutrient Applicators Training Program
Ohio State University Extension is coordinating the development of the Ohio Professional Nutrient Applicator Association. Manure nutrients are valuable, but require special consideration to minimize impacts to lakes and streams. Nutrient and manure management are under greater scrutiny, and are currently regulated by federal or Ohio regulatory programs.

This statewide education program focuses on organizing and educating manure nutrient applicators and animal producers will assist producers, brokers and applicators to navigate the complex set of rules and regulations that impact them. This program is designed to help producers ensure that their manure management systems protect water quality, comply with regulations, and benefit their operations as well as their communities.

In 2005, the Ohio Nutrient Applicator Training Program has reached over 125 custom manure applicators and animal producers impacting the application of more than 100 million gallons of liquid manure or about $1.0 million of manure nutrients. This program is a part of broader regional efforts to work with manure applicators to increase the effectiveness and environmental safety of manure application.

The sixth Academy class was completed in 2006. Seventeen participants completed the Academy, including eight watershed coordinators. Evaluation results indicated that their experiences in the Academy were helpful and helped participants address job responsibilities relative to watershed management. Participants also indicated that the course provided them with opportunities to network with other professionals and exposed them to new ideas. All participants indicated that they would recommend the Academy to other people in their watershed.

Livestock and Streams Fact Sheets
When livestock have access to streams, the results are often slumping stream banks, increased sediment and bacteria loads, and impairments to in-stream habitat. Livestock access to streams is a significant problem on much of Ohio’s pasture lands.
A new series of five fact sheets has been developed to address the impacts of livestock on riparian areas. Titles include:

• Understanding the Benefits of Healthy Riparian Areas, LS-1-05
• Negative Effects of Livestock Grazing Riparian Areas, LS-2-05
• The Effects of Grazing Management on Riparian Area, LS-3-05
• Best Management Practices to Control the Effects of Livestock Grazing Riparian Areas, LS-4-05
• Pathogenic Effects from Livestock Grazing Riparian Areas, LS-5-05

Regional funding allowed for the printing of 1000 copies of LS-1-05. Copies will be distributed to farmers, 4-H clubs, watershed groups, and community development groups through County Extension Educators. All five fact sheets can be viewed online at http://ohioline.osu.edu/ls-fac

Developing the Social Component for an EPA Region 5 Nonpoint Source Evaluation Framework
USEPA Region 5, state environmental protection agencies, and the CSREES Great Lakes Regional Water Quality Program have recognized the need to understand and utilize social indicators to help evaluate progress toward water quality goals in the region. Of particular interest are indicators associated with behavioral changes that reduce threats to water resources but that do not necessarily translate into measurable water quality differences.

The CSREES Great Lakes Regional Water Quality Leadership Team is assisting USEPA and Region 5 states with the development of a system for incorporating social indicators in the evaluation of 319 nonpoint source reduction efforts. A core planning team has been formed and several planning meetings in Chicago at the USEPA Region 5 offices, and via phone conference have occurred.

The core planning team has developed a project outline and plan of work to define objectives and activities through September of 2006. The two overarching objectives of this project are:

• Develop a system for collecting and using social data to evaluate NPS water quality management efforts at regional, state, and project levels.
• Provide support for USEPA Region 5, states, and project level personnel to plan and perform effective program and project evaluations, with a focus on human dimensions, including the social component of the NPS evaluation framework.

Ohio has three faculty and affiliates participating or contributing to the core planning team.