Phosphorus Phield Day to share info with ag producers

The Wayne Soil & Water Conservation District, in cooperation with the Ohio State University, will host a Phosphorus Phield Day on Monday, Aug. 26 from 1-4 p.m. at the OSU Farm Operations Building, 2600 Selby Road, Wooster.

The event will share advice from OSU experts on establishing and maintaining soil phosphorus levels for optimum crop production while at the same time limiting nutrient loss to protect waterways from phosphorus contamination.

With insights from over 45 years of phosphorous fertilizer research, Dr. Manbir Rakkar will share current recommendations for phosphorus applications and examples of best management practices to keep nutrients growing crops rather than contaminating surface water.

After the presentation the group will travel five minutes down the road to a pair of OSU field testing sites. At the first stop, Dr. John Witter will share research on spreading dredged materials from conservation ditches on adjacent farm fields as a soil amendment. This practice saves hauling expenses and fertilizer costs by utilizing the nutrients in the dredged materials locally. Witter also will discuss the use of two-stage ditches and self-forming channels as a way to reduce stream-bank erosion, reconnect the flood plains and use vegetated stream banks for nutrient capture from subsurface tiles.

At the second stop, Dr. Steve Lyon will share the results of his study on how storing and releasing runoff water with a subsurface tile outlet control structure or tile stop can provide valuable nutrients to crop root structures and limit discharge and nutrient loss into waterways.

Light refreshments will be provided. RSVP is preferred but not required. Call Wayne SWCD for more information at 330-263-5376.