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Workshop Presentations

Phase One - 2004

1. How do we measure and monitor the impacts of agriculture on water quality?

• Alan Cessna and Bruce Junkins - Canada (PPT - 3 mb)
  The presentation reviews the history of agro-environmental indicator (AEI) efforts and the indicators related to water quality. It discusses risk indicators and their function in integrated economic modelling approaches, showing the linkages to federal policy-making through the agricultural policy framework and applications to BMPs and provincial environmental targets. The presentation also discusses how the model should be improved and linked to other AEI models.

• Jean-Marie Peltier - U.S. (PPT - 265 kb)
  The presentation reviews the role of water quality monitoring and assessment efforts in implementing the Clean Water Act. It discusses the concept of total maximum daily load (TMDL) and its role in integrated watershed planning. It reviews the results of a representative survey of impaired waters and the main sources of pollution. It also discusses future actions, including improved monitoring, better access to data and the use of water quality trading.

2. What are the impacts of agriculture on water quality?

• Rick Butts - Canada (PPT - 3.2 mb)
  The presentation reviews water distribution in Canada, linking the distribution of precipitation to crop and cattle production. It describes the impacts of agriculture on environment and water; identifies priorities by issues and substances, such as pesticides, P and nitrates. The presentation discusses the relationship of nutrients and water, agricultural chemicals in groundwater, and the health risks of N and P; it identifies these issues as national science themes.

• Mike O'Neill - U.S. (PPT - 14.8 mb)
  The presentation discusses water impairments reported by states. It links the results to further research and education needs. On the research side it discusses the relationship between watershed scale work and plot/field scale work, and noted that results may show up on the watershed scale while not on the plot scale. The presentation describes several research activities such as agricultural and economic research services and the need to link science-based knowledge to the education of producers and other constituencies.

3. What are the on-farm practices that we use to reduce the impacts of agriculture on water quality?

• Glen Shaw - Canada (PPT - 250 kb)
  The presentation gives a summary of the key areas of the APF and their linkages to other initiatives. It describes the National Farm Stewardship Program and gives details of the following BMP: EFP; NMP with special emphasis on improved manure application, treatment, storage and handling; run-off controls; product and waste management; riparian area management; erosion control; conservation tillage and direct seeding; and improved pest management. The presentation discusses the role of these practices in conservation.

• Tom Christensen - U.S. (PPT - 1.3 mb)
  The presentation gives an overview of the U.S. Natural Resource Conservation Program that was considered a coordination model for federal activities. It lists primary conservation programs linked to stewardship and rewarding behaviour as a means to encourage future participation. The presentation describes the technical guides and the toolkits to the programs. It mentions the priority needs to increase BMPs and referred to the cost involved. It describes the potential for enhancing future conservation practices.

4. What can governments do to help reduce the impacts of agriculture on water quality?

• Michele Brenning - Canada (PPT - 99 kb)
  The presentation outlines the relationship between public expectation and government responsibilities in Canadian water policy and agriculture-related water quality issues. It refers to the shared jurisdictional federal-provincial approach and common objectives in addressing water-related issues in the APF. It describes several environmental agricultural programs, including EFP, GreenCover, NAHARP and NLWIS. The presentation concludes by listing common trilateral goals, such as the exploration of economic and policy instruments for water quality management; sharing experiences with multi-stakeholder partnerships aimed at improving water quality; sharing experiences in the development of scientific knowledge and decision support systems; and examining opportunities for collaboration to improve knowledge and improve management of shared water resources.

• Marc Ribaudo - U.S. (PPT - 562 kb)
  The presentation gives a general characterization of agricultural pollution and an overview of policy instruments to deal with the problems, including technology-based programs, performance-based policies and instruments. It refers to several options for designing policies. It also discusses how to measure damages and the kind of agri-environmental indicators that are used. It emphasizes the role of education and research, and underlines the importance of adaptive management: a combination of assessment and adjustment.

5. What can our farmer organizations do to help reduce the impacts of agriculture on water quality?

• Noreen Ambrose and DixonHammond - Canada
  The Beaver Creek Watershed Group (PPT - 14.3 mb) - Cows and Fish (PPT - 3.6 mb)
  
  A representative of a Canadian producers’ association and a rancher representing a watershed group in Alberta give a presentation on how to build stewardship. The producers' organization, Cows and Fish, has developed a program for community-based action. Its process elements, its broad partnership and its results are illustrated by the work done at the Waldron Ranch Riparian Pasture. The rancher, leader of the Beaver Creek Watershed Group, provides information on the watershed, its recent problems and the partnering that led to the formation of the watershed group. He analyzes the results of the project and refers to the challenges the group will face.

• Bill Richards - U.S.
  The presentation is not available online; see a summary in the workshop report.

• Roberto Pieretti (Confederation of American Associations for the Production of Sustainable Agriculture)
  The presentation demonstrates no-till experience in Argentina and its linkage to water, soil and agro-environmental improvement. It introduces CAAPAS, a continental umbrella organization and a permanent discussion forum. CAAPAS promotes a conciliatory approach which addresses and balances short and mid-/long-term needs. It promotes interaction with farmers from other countries and latitudes. It helps share experience in soil management: crop residue to prevent erosion and increase soil organic matter; crop rotation, IPM (significantly reducing the use of agricultural chemicals); and water management: crop residue to increase infiltration, improve water use efficiency.

  The presentation identifies the main barriers to broad no-till adoption and concludes that no-till and other conservation practices work on both small- and large-scale farms.

  This powerpoint presentation is 227 Mb in size. It is available on CD. Please contact the Environment Team (613) 759-7312.

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