A summary of data collected at Discovery Farms Minnesota core farm in 2011 is now available. You can download the report by clicking here.
Read more about the Discovery Farms Minnesota program here.
New Information on Drainage Water Management for Ag Landowners
The recent combination of higher land values and extended periods of high rainfall are resulting in increased drainage activity. Ag landowners are reminded of the importance of remaining in compliance with federal, state and local wetland rules guiding the installation and maintenance of drainage systems.
In Minnesota, NRCS and the Board of Soil and Water Resources recently announced a contribution agreement outlining provisions to expedite and provide consistency in providing certified wetland documentation for landowners, along with a plan to develop a wetland bank to be used exclusively for mitigation of wetland impacts on agricultural lands.
It is important to note that this program is targeted toward small wet areas designated as FW (Farmed Wetland) areas in cropland only. These are areas that are farmed virtually every year, but typically produce less than well-drained farmland and also may result in reduced yields in surrounding areas. These areas also provide little, if any, wetland habitat value. Many of these areas are only a few tenths of an acre in size.
Landowners who choose to drain these FW areas will generally see improved yields, improved efficiency of crop use of fertilizer and pesticide inputs, and reduced cost of drainage installation as they can design more efficient tile layouts as they do not need to tile around FW areas. Because these areas must be mitigated on cropland areas, other landowners will have the opportunity to restore or create wetlands, selling wetland credits to those who drain FWs, or using the credits themselves to offset drainage projects on their own land. The resulting wetlands will no longer be cropped, providing greater value as wildlife habitat.
Landowners planning to conduct drainage activities have had the option of draining wetlands provided that they mitigate the wetland loss by restoring or creating a wetland elsewhere, under a wetland banking program administered by BWSR. However, this provision has been used primarily by developers impacting open water wetlands. The new approach to mitigating farmed wetlands (FWs on field maps), will allow ag landowners to drain FWs in exchange for restoring or creating wetlands on other eligible cropland.
This new approach should also eliminate much of the frustration landowners encounter when planning a tile project by providing a new choice. In the past, most projects required a setback from the FW area, and if a tile had to pass through the wetland or its setback area non-perforated tile would be required. Now producers have the option of effectively moving the FW somewhere else.
Areas eligible for wetland credit must be current non-wetland cropland. Land expiring from CRP contracts is considered eligible cropland. Cropland areas adjacent to current wetland might make excellent mitigation sites, with credits earned for removing or rerouting tile or ditches to expand the wetland. Restored/created wetlands are permanently protected by easements, but can be bought and sold. Federal or state funds cannot be used for wetland restoration/creation costs if the wetlands are to be used for mitigation purposes.
Ag landowners also have the options of mitigating wetlands on their own land on an acre-for-acre basis, thereby enhancing existing conservation and habitat areas, with the potential to also create wetland credits for sale to other landowners. Landowners desiring to drain FW areas but lacking a suitable place to restore or create an offsetting wetland would choose to purchase wetland credits from other landowners.
Ag landowners are encouraged to start the process early. This winter is a great time to visit your local NRCS/BWSR contact to discuss your drainage plans. Much of the frustration encountered in drainage projects is the result of producers who approach NRCS with a plan to tile a field and would like to start by noon. If there are no wetland impacts involved this may work, but the process is likely to proceed more smoothly with more advance planning. By developing a long-range plan, landowners can plan ahead for the significant investment they will make to maintain the value of their property. By sharing this long-range plan with NRCS/BWSR, mitigation plans can be developed early on, allowing both the drainage projects and wetland restoration projects to proceed smoothly.
