A Partnership of:
An innovative way to entice producers to adopt and implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) is for them to employ by themselves user friendly models (e.g., the web-based NTT) and verify then effectiveness of BMPs and estimate the corresponding farm yields in their own fields and demonstration farms. Four main tasks are outlined below as the objectives followed in this grant to achieve this approach.
Field Data Collection
Data through the 2016 year was presented in Dr. Kevin King’s BMP Conference presentation below or click here to link to the presentation.
Modeling
Field Scale Modeling
The Nutrient Tracking Tool (NTT) is a web-based program that is directly accessible to producers, crop consultants, government officials and the general public to evaluate the economic and environmental impacts of best management practices at the farm and small watershed levels.
Click here to link to the NTT Model.
Watershed Scale Modeling
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Outreach
Kick-off Meeting, Field Days and News Coverage
February 25, 2014 On-Farm Research Scientists Needed Information Sessions
Farmers from the Sandusky River Watershed were invited to become involved as 
On-Farm Research Scientists by learning more about the goals and objectives of this grant and the Nutrient Tracking Tool (NTT) Model to be validated and calibrated. Two (2) sessions were offered with 17 participants attending and 9 potential producers expressing interest in allowing research to be conducted on their farms.
August 25, 2015 Understanding Gypsum as a Soil Amendment with Senate Bill 1 and Water Quality Updates
Dr. Warren Dick , Research for The Ohio State University presented his research on the use of Gypsum as a Soil Amendment to help reduce Phosphorus loss and assist in building Soil Health. Mark Smith, Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) State Resource Conservationist, was on hand to share the NRCS Gypsum Soil Amendment Program. Kevin Elder from Ohio Department of Agriculture presented updates on Ohio Senate Bill 1, which addresses agricultural fertilizer and manure applications, and other Water Quality updates. A panel of experts and producers wrapped up the event attended by farmers and Ag Retailers with 2 Canadian producers joining the event.
August 16, 2016 Making Informed Decisions to Improve Your Bottom Line Field Day
Updates from staff of Dr. Kevin King, USDA Agriculture Research Service, and Dr. Rem Confesor, NCWQR at Heidelberg University, presented updates on the Edge of Field Studies and On-Farm Research Data/NTT Model updates, respectively. Dwight Clary of Center Seeds and Clary Farms spoke on the using cover crops for profit. Thirty (30) area farmers attended this event.
Press Coverage
Keck, Gail C., “Models of Conservation.” Ohio Farmer. December 2013: Page 50. Print.
Johnson, Vicki, “Conservation Takes Center Stage.” The Advertiser Tribune. August 17, 2016. Print
Training/Workshops
NTT Workshop – August 11-12, 2015
Over the 2-day workshop 25 attendees participated in demonstration of the NTT Model. Participants were able to each use the model and build their own scenarios and evaluate the output based on their experience . Participants were evaluated and their input was sought following the Workshop.
Photos from the Workshop
BMPs for Reducing P Losses from Cropland: State of the Science – March 9-10, 2017
Designed to inform scientists, conservationists, educators, crop advisors, ag 
retailer agronomists, farmers and others. This event will examine what we know about the effectiveness of Best Management Practices for reducing phosphorus losses from cropland in the Western Lake Erie Basin. Participants will contribute to identifying and prioritizing knowledge gaps, and help evaluate the Nutrient Tracking Tool for research, training and planning. Attendees will gain new information to improve their effectiveness in protecting and improving water quality and ag productivity.
Click on the Light Blue title of the Presentation listed below to view the slides presented.
Presentations March 9, 2017
CIG Project Overview: Nutrient Tracking Tool, Edge of Field Study, Dr. Rem Confesor, Heidelberg University National Center for Water Quality Research Video of Dr. Confesor’s Overview
The Heidelberg Tributary Loading Program and Stratification Sampling:State of the WLEB watersheds, Dr. Laura Johnson, Director, Heidelberg University National Center for Water Quality Research or Video of Dr. Johnson’s Presentation or Click to view and receive 0.5 Nutrient Management Continuing Education Unit’s
Ohio P Index, Dr. Libby Dayton, The Ohio State University or Video of Dr. Dayton’s Presentation or Click to view and receive 0.5 Nutrient Management and 0.5 Soil & Water Continuing Education Unit’s
Outreach to Agriculture to Understand the Nutrient and HAB Linkage and Solutions, Greg LaBarge, The Ohio State University Extension or Video of Mr. LaBarge’s Presentation or Click to view and receive 0.5 Nutrient Management Continuing Education Unit’s
State of the Science on BMPs for P-Loss Reduction, John Crumrine, NRCS retired or Video of Mr. Crumrine’s Presentation
Partnering for Ag Resource Management PARM, Dr. Thomas Green, IPM Institute of North America, Inc. Video of Dr. Green’s Presentation
Lessons from the Edge of Field Research, Dr. Kevin King, USDA ARS or Video of Dr. King’s Presentation or Click to view and receive 0.5 Nutrient Management Continuing Education Unit’s
Nutrient Tracking Tool Overview, Dr. Ali Saleh, Associate Dir. Texas Institute for Applied Environmental Research (TIAER) or Video of Dr. Saleh’s Presentation or Click to view and receive 0.5 Nutrient Management Continuing Education Unit’s
NRCS CIG-Funded Project Outputs and Outcomes, Dr. Remegio Confesor, Heidelberg University National Center for Water Quality Research to Video of Dr Confesor and Dr Saleh’s Demonstration, Outputs and Outcomes or Click to view and receive 0.5 Nutrient Management and 0.5 Soil & Water Continuing Education Unit’s
Presentations March 10, 2017
Updating the Tri-State Fertilizer Recommendations, Dr. Steven Culman, Assistant Professor and State Specialist in Soil Fertility, The Ohio State University to Video of Dr. Culman’s Presentation or Click to view and receive 1.0 Nutrient Management Continuing Education Unit’s
BMPs and the Efficacy Gap, Dr. Robyn Wilson, The Ohio State University to Video of Dr. Wilson’s presentation or Click to view and receive 1.0 Professional Development Continuing Education Unit’s
Recapping Key Points, Dr. Laura Johnson, Director, Heidelberg University National Center for Water Quality Research to Video of Dr. Johnson’s Recap – Click to view and receive 1.0 Nutrient Management, 0.5 Soil & Water and 0.5 Professional Development Continuing Education Unit’s
National Center for Water Quality Research 