LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) and Michigan State University officials announced last week a new online tool focusing on agricultural nutrient management called Enviro-Impact.

 

The new tool was developed through a partnership between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Weather Service, MDARD, Michigan Agriculture and Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP), MSU Institute of Water Research, Michigan Sea Grant and MSU extension.

“The MSU EnviroImpact Tool, jointly funded by MSU and MDARD, provides the latest technology in weather forecasting at the fingertips of Michigan farmers,” said extension Agriculture and Agribusiness Institute Director Ronald Bates. “This online, mobile-friendly tool helps farmers assess their risk of possible runoff as they develop their manure-spreading schedules.

“Farmers have the ability to adjust their management plans if a rainfall event on particular fields is imminent, enabling them to make better management decisions and improve their ability to protect Michigan’s water quality.”

EnviroImpact is part of a multistate regional effort to improve so-called runoff risk decision support tools, said a statement from MDARD. This program is supported by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, a $300 million program that’s been targeted for elimination in federal budget proposals. The EPA is also supporting the program, as well as the NWS North Central River Forecast Center, a component of the National Weather Service. 

 

It’s really all about enhancing water quality in the Great Lakes region, including local waterways all the way to the Great Lakes. Tools like this are already in place or are being developed in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Ohio in addition to Michigan, said Jason Piwarski, a GIS specialist at the Institute of Water Research.

“This tool is still in development, but it takes into account precipitation, snowfall and soil temperature,” he explained.

“It’s much more sophisticated than previous tools. This is the second version of this particular tool.”

A similar tool exists now in Wisconsin, but it’s not as sophisticated as MSU’s, Piwarski added. MSU’s tool can provide extremely local information a farmer can use regarding his own fields. Ohio also has a version of the tool.

EnviroImpact can be combined with other nutrient management tools such as the Manure Application Risk Index and the Winter Manure Spreading Risk Based Decision Making Tool, said Joe Kelpinski. He’s the manager of MAEAP, a voluntary effort to get farmers to use best management practices.

If a farmer wants, they can get email alerts regarding runoff risk on their farm. EnviroImpact has categories for runoff risk, precipitation, soil temperature and soil saturation. Online tutorials are also available to help farmers get acquainted with the online tool.

Farmers handling and applying livestock manure in Michigan can use this tool during any time of year to determine how risky it will be to spread manure on their fields. Those interested in viewing or using the MSU EnviroImpact Tool can visit the site at www.enviroimpact.iwr.msu.edu