OABA Lake Erie Watershed Crop Nutrient Retailers Meeting Was Success

Group Addressed Algal Blooms in Ohio Watersheds

Nearly 200 Ohio AgriBusiness Association (OABA) members, Ohio farmers and agriculture retailers attended the OABA Lake Erie Watershed Crop Nutrient Retailers Meeting on February 29 in Perrysburg, Ohio.

Nutrient applicators, agronomists, farmers and various government agencies came together to address algal blooms in the Western Lake Erie Basin and Grand Lake St. Marys. The group discussed the current state of the issue, potential contributors to the issue – including dissolved reactive phosphorus from agriculture, and actions the agriculture industry can take to do their part in correcting the challenge. The recommendations focused on the 4R Nutrient Stewardship principles of Right Source, Right Rate, Right Time and Right Place.

“We know that dissolved reactive phosphorus is playing a part in the algal blooms in some of Ohio’s watersheds, particularly in the Western Lake Erie Basin,” said Chris Henney, OABA President and CEO. “While agriculture practices aren’t the sole cause of these issues, we encourage Ohio farmers and agribusinesses to do our part to address this challenge. This may include adapting current farming practices, and the OABA is here to support our members by providing education on this critical topic.”

Dr. Peter Richards from Heidelberg University started the day by setting the stage of what issues Ohio is currently facing in terms of algal blooms in the Western Lake Erie Basin. Updates regarding the Ohio Department of Agriculture Director’s Agricultural Nutrient and Water Quality Working Group’s efforts were shared with the group by Mike Bailey, executive director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture Office of Farmland Preservation; Scott Nally, director of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency; and Karl Gephardt, chief of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Soil and Water Resources.

Tom Bruulsema, International Plant Institute Northeast Region Director, provided more information about the 4R Nutrient Stewardship principles, and Greg LaBarge, Agronomic Systems Field Specialist with The Ohio State University Extension, shared information about the agronomic side of the challenge and recommendations, particularly within the agriculture industry. Mark Scarpitti, state agronomist with the Ohio Natural Resource Conservation Service, completed the workshop with proper nutrient management and the updated National 590 Nutrient Management Standard.

“It’s crucial that we all step up to the plate to help correct this problem. If we all work together to do our part, we can approach this issue in a proactive, collaborative way that focuses on all sides of the issue – from farming practices to government agency involvement,” Henney said.

To view additional photos from the event, go to the OABA Facebook page and click the "Like" icon. To view event presentations, click here.