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Title: BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES RESEARCH IN A WATERSHED WITH SWINE PRODUCTION FACILITIES

Author
item Tomer, Mark
item Olk, Daniel - Dan

Submitted to: National Pork Board Web Site <www.porkboard.org>
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/1/2003
Publication Date: 8/15/2003
Citation: TOMER, M.D., OLK, D.C. BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES RESEARCH IN A WATERSHED WITH SWINE PRODUCTION FACILITIES. NATIONAL PORK BOARD WEB SITE <WWW.PORKBOARD.ORG>. 2003.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The South Fork of the Iowa River is a 215,000-acre agricutlural watershed in north-central Iowa containing swine-producing facilities and several grazing operations. This project assessed best management practices in the watershed, and continued ongoing water quality studies. Results provided maps of conservation plantings and permanent vegetation in the watershed, identified a possible new site for research on a new constructed wetland site, documented water quality during 2002, and assessed initial soil properties for a long-term manure management research project. Results showed about 10% of the watershed is in permanent vegetation. About 2000 water samples were collected and analyzed for sediment and nutrient concentrations. Some differences between years and between sub-basins were found, based on grab samples collected from 13 locations. These differences are probably due to varying amounts of seasonal rainfall and runoff. In-stream monitors were used to continuously measure temperature and dissolved oxygen near the outlet of Tipton Creek during summer 2002, and the water was found suitable for a range of game fish. A study of manure mangement effects on soil properties was initiated at a long-term experimental site, to allow interacting effects of manure application, rotation, and slope position to be identified in several years time. Initial results showed variations in the amount and quality of organic matter depending on slope position, and improved soil structure (aggregate stability) at lower-slope position. This research provides important progress towards the long term goal of assessing best management practices and water quality in the South Fork watershed.