Illinois EPA will soon be releasing the final Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy.  The document calls for a 45% reduction in nutrient losses from many sources:  industry, wastewater treatment, urban storm water and agriculture.  We in agriculture must reduce nitrogen losses by about 225 million pounds and phosphorus losses by 18 million pounds in the next 10-20 years.  Agriculture is given the opportunity to do this voluntarily, but we must show progress or regulations are certainly in our future.

 

IFCA is launching a 4R Code of Practice program later this month, asking our members to take a pledge to support nutrient BMPs that will reduce losses.  To see the 4R Code, click here.  In June, IFCA staff participated in 11 statewide meetings with IL Farm Bureau, IL Corn and IL CBMP to promote these BMPs and ask all farmers and fertilizer retailers to engage in this effort:  The message to the over 1,100 farmers who attended was that everyone needs to have a strategy to reduce nutrient losses.  IFCA is also preparing posters for our members to display in your offices to reinforce the 4R practices that will reduce losses.  To preview the "STOP" poster, click here.  

 

Stay tuned for the official launch of the IFCA "Keep it 4R Crop Program" later this month when we will ask our members to take a pledge to demonstrate your commitment to the 4Rs.  If we don't retain ownership of this very challenging issue, the void will be filled by rules, regulations and lawsuits that are occuring in states like Ohio and Iowa.  If you have questions about the IFCA 4R Code of Practice, please contact anyone on our staff at 309.827.2774.  Go to www.ifca.com to see more on the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy and an updated NREC brochure listing new projects underway to develop the science to help agriculture reduce nutrient losses and assure profitability.