Beneficial Management Practices Research Articles

Balancing agriculture and environment: Andrew Sharpley's nutrient, soil, and water management legacy

AbstractManaging agricultural phosphorus (P) to balance food security and water quality priorities is a massive challenge fraught with uncertainty and competing interests. Throughout his career, Andrew Sharpley addressed this challenge by building our understanding of the fundamental principles and processes that control P behavior in agricultural land, developing tools to assess P losses, and then evaluating and refining nutrient, soil, and water beneficial management practices (BMPs). Together with an exceptionally large and diverse group of collaborators, Sharpley developed, tested, refined, calibrated, and validated management practices and risk assessment tools to develop site‐specific recommendations for the right practices, in the right places, and at the right times. This approach has resonated globally, with the strategic use of BMPs in “critical source areas” widely implemented in an effort to improve the effectiveness of BMPs while reducing implementation costs. Additional contributions to nutrient management include determining environmental thresholds for soil test P and measuring the risk of P loss from different sources of P (e.g., various manures and commercial fertilizers). Sharpley's work was also distinctly realistic, ensuring that strategies for mitigating P loss were critically evaluated so that not only were the benefits highlighted, but also that trade‐offs were measured. Nowhere is this better illustrated than with trade‐offs in particulate P loss and dissolved P loss with conservation tillage. This review summarizes Sharpley's enormous contributions to our knowledge of agricultural P stewardship as well as his model of collaborative, multi‐disciplinary leadership, helping the world to maintain agricultural productivity and protect water quality.

Business risk management programs and the adoption of beneficial management practices in Canadian crop agriculture

AbstractCanada's agricultural business risk management (BRM) programs require significant public expenditure, with unclear consequences related to climate change adaptation and mitigation through the adoption of beneficial management practices (BMPs). This study examines the relationship between Canada's current suite of BRM programs and the adoption of practices that mitigate GHG emissions in crop agriculture. We review the impacts of agricultural insurance on climate adaptation and mitigation, identifying impacts on both the intensive and extensive margins of production. We consider five potential program modifications, including: (1) changes in producer insurance premiums in AgriInsurance for the adoption of practices that would decrease the actuarially fair insurance rate if they were properly incorporated in the calculation; (2) dedicated insurance products related to trials of specific BMPs; (3) adjustments to current programs to allow more whole‐farm considerations and intercropping; (4) cross‐compliance measures on AgriInvest tied to environmental education; and (5) reduced insurance coverage for unfavorable environmental practices. While the effects of these potential modifications remain uncertain, they will drive the data collection process necessary to ensure that Canada's BRM programs play an appropriate role in greenhouse‐gas reducing BMP adoption and climate change adaptation and mitigation.

Towards a dynamic effective drainage area map for the Canadian Prairie: Sensitivity of contributing area to wetland storage capacity

Wetlands that occupy topographic depressions are a defining feature of the Canadian Prairie. These features control hydrological connectivity as they contain high storage capacity relative to typically available precipitation and runoff. Altering wetland distribution changes the frequency with which areas can become hydrologically connected to the catchment outlet. There are several methods that have proven successful in estimating contributing area response to changes in wetland storage, but none have been applied widely across the Canadian Prairie. The objective of this study was (1) to determine if the rate at which contributing area changes with loss of wetland storage capacity is related to wetland distribution, and if so, (2) to map sensitivity across the region. To do so, a GIS analysis was employed in which iterative measurements were made of contributing area expansion with simulated wetland storage capacity loss. Results show that those catchments with more small wetlands have more sensitive contributing areas to storage capacity loss. Extrapolation of this relationship across the Canadian Prairie shows that areas in western Manitoba and southeastern Saskatchewan are among the most sensitive. These results provide a better understanding of how contributing area may change with loss of wetland storage capacity. This may inform implementation of beneficial management practices, transportation network design, and management of streamflow and nutrient transport to downstream lakes across the region.

Nutrient release in drainage discharge from organic soils under two different agricultural water management systems

AbstractThe release of available nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) from agricultural tile drainage contributes to eutrophication in water bodies. To mitigate the harmful impact of nutrient release, drainage water management (DWM) has been proposed as a beneficial management practice that will limit N and P in tile drainage discharge. This study, conducted in the organic soils of the Holland Marsh, Ontario, assessed the nutrient water quality for 2 years (2015–2016) under DWM systems: controlled drainage (CD) comprising a series of stackable gates to manually control the water table level; and pumped drainage (PD) which uses a submersible pump within a collector well that discharges effluent when activated. The latter is the common method of field drainage in the Holland Marsh, however, there is limited comparable research for either DWM system. The data were separated into growing and fallow seasons as well as winter, spring, and summer seasons for trend analysis (winter: October–February; spring: March–May; summer: June–September). The nitrate (NO3‐N) concentrations, under CD, were found to be on average higher during the winter season (7.64 mg L−1) compared to the growing season (3.76 mg L−1). Furthermore, total N concentrations are positively correlated to discharge (R > 0.55). The average total P concentration increased during the summer period following fertilization; however, there was no correlation between P and drainage discharge throughout the duration of the study. The P concentrations depended more on nutrient inputs, rather than the discharge under CD. The log regression statistical relationship showed significant differences in nutrient levels compared to the mean at both sites, however, greater differences were found under CD. Under PD, the NO3‐N concentrations showed significant seasonal trends between the spring and winter (Pr > t: 0.0061) and summer (Pr > t: <0.0001). Overall, both CD and PD can reduce the amount of tile drain discharge, but the concentrations of N and P are not significantly reduced.

Monitoring autumn agriculture activities using Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and coherence change detection

Across Canada, farmers are encouraged to adopt beneficial management practices (BMPs) to protect soil heath, reduce green house gas emissions and mitigate off-site impacts from agriculture. Measuring the uptake of BMPs, including the implementation of conservation tillage, helps gauge the success of policies and programs to promote adoption. Satellites are one way to monitor BMP adoption and Synthetic Aperture Radars (SARs) are of particular interest given their all-weather data collection capability. This research investigated coherent change detection (CCD) to determine when farmers harvest and till their fields. A time series of both Sentinel-1 and RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM) images was acquired over a site in the Canadian Lake Erie basin, during the autumn of 2021, when farmers were harvesting and tilling fields of corn, soybeans and wheat. 16 CCD pairs were created and coherence values were interpreted based on observations collected for 101 fields. An m-chi decomposition was applied to the RCM data, and the Volume/Surface (V/S) ratio was calculated as an additional source of information to interpret results. Change events due to harvest, tillage, autumn seeding and chemical termination resulted in coherence values below 0.20. The mean and standard deviation for fields with observed change was 0.18 ± 0.03. Coherence values were 0.42 ± 0.15 for fields where no change was noted. Tests confirmed that the coherence associated with changed and unchanged fields was significantly different. Coherence values could also differentiate between some types of management events, including tillage and harvest. CCD could also separate harvest as a function of crop type (corn or soybeans). V/S ratios declined after tillage events but increased after both harvesting and chemical termination. Narrowing the date of harvest and tillage is as important as detecting change. To meet this requirement, Sentinel-1 and RCM CCD products with values below 0.20 (indicating change had occurred), were graphically overlaid. With this approach, the timing of corn harvest was identified as occurring within a 5-day window. The tilling of corn, soybeans and wheat was narrowed to a 4-day window. The results of this research confirmed that CCD can be used to capture change due to autumn agricultural activities, and this technique can also separate change due to harvest and tillage. Finally, this study demonstrated that when data from different SAR missions are combined in a virtual constellation, timing of harvest and tillage can be more precisely defined.

Extended pilot test of a cross-injection in situ denitrification system for pre-emptive treatment of municipal well water

Elevated groundwater nitrate concentrations have been linked to deleterious health and environmental effects. A significant source of the nitrate is nitrogen fertilizers applied to agricultural landscapes. Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs), including the optimization of fertilizer use and selective crop rotations, have proven to be effective in some cases. The city of Woodstock in southern Ontario relies on public wells for all of its municipal supply. Several of the wells have experienced chronic increases in nitrate concentrations exceeding the maximum allowable limit of 10 mg/L N-NO3−. While BMPs are established, an interim reduction plan based on enhanced in situ denitrification (Cross Injection System, CIS) in a 15 m thick zone of high nitrate mass flux within the aquifer zone was evaluated. Based in the results of preliminary acetate injection experiments, a C:N ratio of 2.35, (approximately 260 mg acetate/L), was selected to optimize the denitrification reaction. Injections were performed for six hours a day every day for a period of approximately two months. Dissolved oxygen (DO) and nitrate concentrations recorded over time indicated that reduction of both commenced within a few days of the beginning of the acetate injections and reduced levels were maintained for the remainder of the two-month injection period. Denitrification occurred throughout the profile although nitrate reduction was the highest in the lower groundwater velocity zones. An overall reduction of nitrate of 50% was achieved through the treated section of the aquifer. It is estimated that an upscaled treatment system utilizing a treatment width of only 70 m would be sufficient to reduce the nitrate concentrations to below the drinking water limit demonstrating the potential for the CIS method to functions as an interim groundwater nitrate reduction strategy.

98 Environmental impacts and daily voluntary movement of horses housed in pasture tracks as compared to conventional pasture housing

Pasture tracks are a recent trend in equine management. Tracks are a way to increase movement by theoretically mimicking patterns of wild horses, though this has not been proven. To test movement patterns of horses housed in pasture tracks as compared with conventional pastures, a track (3.5m in width) was created around the perimeter of a rectangular 2.0 ha pasture with feeding troughs placed roughly equidistant around the track. Eight horses were paired and rotated between 3 treatment locations: the track (T), the small 2 ha pasture housed within the track (SP), and a larger 12 ha pasture on the same farm (LP). Movement was tracked using a GPS watch (Amazfit Bip U by Zepp Health) attached to the crown of a halter. Testing occurred over a 10-week period in which horses were randomly rotated in pairs to each location with testing in each location occurring simultaneously. Horses were acclimated to each location for 3 d and then tested over a 4-d period during which one horse in each pair would wear the GPS monitor for 2 d followed by the second horse. At the conclusion of the 10-week study, 4 horses on 2 additional farms with existing track systems were monitored for a one-week period to compare their movement patterns to those collected in the test location as controls. Environmental impact of the pasture tracksystem was evaluated by comparing erosion measurements of the track to the small pasture. Erosion was evaluated via quantification of vegetative cover (as measured by standing biomass) and sediment relocation (as measured using an adapted mesh-bag technique). Data was collected on days −7, 14, 33, 67, and 86 of horses being placed on the track. GPS data was analyzed using Minitab v.21 (State College, PA, USA) with housing as a treatment effect. Erosion measurements were run as a repeated-measures over time with location as the treatment effect. Results indicate no differences in daily distance traveled between T and SP (5.7 vs 5.4 km, P = 0.60) or between T and LP (5.7 vs 6.2 km, P = 0.36). Though not comparable, horses on the private farm tracks walked a similar daily distance of 6.1 ± 0.2 km/d avg. There was a decrease in vegetative cover on the track (P < 0.001) from beginning to end of the study, which resulted in sediment relocation (P = 0.013). Collectively, this data does not support the use of pasture tracks as a beneficial management practice to increase movement, and potential environmental impacts of the use of tracks should be considered.

Different leafy vegetable cropping systems regulate growth, photosynthesis, and PSII functioning in mono-cropped eggplant by altering chemical properties and upregulating the antioxidant system.

Continuous cropping of eggplant threatened regional ecological sustainability by facilitating replanting problems under mono-cropping conditions. Therefore, alternative agronomic and management practices are required to improve crop productivity at low environmental cost for the development of sustainable agricultural systems in different regions. This study examined changes in soil chemical properties, eggplant photosynthesis, and antioxidant functioning in five different vegetable cropping systems over a 2-year period., 2017 and 2018. The results showed that welsh onion-eggplant (WOE), celery-eggplant (CE), non-heading Chinese cabbage-eggplant (NCCE), and leafy lettuce-eggplant (LLE) rotation systems significantly impacted growth, biomass accumulation, and yield than fallow-eggplant (FE). In addition, various leafy vegetable cropping systems, WOE, CE, NCCE, and LLT induced significant increases in soil organic matter (SOM), available nutrients (N, P, and K), and eggplant growth by affecting the photosynthesis and related gas exchange parameters with much evident effect due to CE and NCCE. Moreover, eggplant raised with different leafy vegetable rotation systems showed higher activity of antioxidant enzymes, resulting in lower accumulation of hydrogen peroxide and hence reduced oxidative damage to membranes. In addition, fresh and dry plant biomass was significantly increased due to crop rotation with leafy vegetables. Therefore, we concluded that leafy vegetable crop rotation is a beneficial management practice to improve the growth and yield of eggplant.

Influence of seasonal climate and water table management on corn yield and nitrous oxide emissions

Compared to regular tile drainage (FD), controlled drainage systems with sub-irrigation (CDS) can increase crop yield but could potentially heighten the production and subsequent emission of nitrous oxide (N2O). Accounting for growing season rainfall categorized under wet, dry and normal, the long-term effects of CDS on crop yield and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions were investigated at a commercial corn farm in southwestern Quebec. Based on yield data collected over 12 years at the study site, CDS improved grain yield compared to regular tile drainage (FD), depending on the quantity and temporal distribution of rainfall during the growing season. On average, CDS positively affected grain yield by 17.7% and 3.4% in dry and normal years, but reduced yield by 25% in a wet year. The lower yield under CDS was particularly observed when excessive monthly rainfall (230 mm) occurred during the crop’s vegetative period. In three of six years, N2O fluxes under CDS treatments were greater by 49% than those under FD but 45% lower in the remaining years, implying that – notwithstanding the quantity of growing season rainfall – CDS does not necessarily always produce greater fluxes than FD. N2O fluxes coincided more with fertilizer application, particularly when associated with a rainfall event. Given that CDS tends to increase crop yield and does not heighten N2O emissions, it remains a beneficial management practice to be adopted in subsurface drained croplands, where appropriate.

Best versus beneficial MP discourses: The significance of a change in discourse managing agricultural water quality in Canada

Best Management Practices and Beneficial Management Practices (“MP”) are two ideational elements, that have emerged in water quality literature. This research explores the questions of where has the lesser utilized term ‘Beneficial’ emerged and why? To answer these questions, articles obtained from the Web of Science by searching keywords “Best MP”/“Beneficial MP” and “Water” are analyzed using bibliometric techniques through VOS Viewer including time trend of publications, and indicators including keywords, disciplines, institutions, geographies, influential authors and journals, and key funders of these two terms. This paper also employs document analysis and semi-structured interviews with key policy stakeholders.Beneficial Management Practices emerged in Canada (although the term was used in a few instances elsewhere) in Canadian government policy documents starting in 2003. The term ‘Beneficial’ refers to a lesser standard than “Best” and is exclusive to agricultural practices in risk and environmental farm policy; “Best Management Practices” refer to a wider set of practices (in other sectors like mining) utilized by a more substantive and diverse set of institutions (predominately American and significantly populated by universities). Explanations for the emergence of the term include that it is more ‘honest,’ it allows for more choices and trade-offs, it reflects the strong economic driver of agriculture, and several interviewees referred to it better reflecting the uncertainty of science. While the strength of the agricultural sector in influencing the ‘Beneficial’ discourse is not surprising, the failure to measure the improvement to the water quality of Beneficial Management Programs and measure policy's effectiveness is noteworthy.

Responses of Fine Root Traits and Soil Nitrogen to Fertilization Methods and Nitrogen Application Amounts in a Poplar Plantation

Inappropriate fertilization management practices have led to low timber production in intensive plantation systems in China. Thus, optimized conventional or advanced fertilization management practices are needed. We aimed to quantify whether optimized furrow fertilization (FF) is comparable to advanced drip fertigation (DF) and to make recommendations regarding fertilization management strategies for poplar plantations. A completely randomized block design experiment with two fertilization methods (DF and FF) and four N application amounts (F0: 0, F1: 68, F2: 113, and F3: 158 kg N·ha−1·yr−1) was carried out on a Populus × euramericana cv. ‘Guariento’ plantation. Fine root biomass density (FRBD), fine root length density (FRLD), specific root length (SRL), soil total nitrogen (STN), soil inorganic nitrogen (SIN), soil ammonium (NH4+-N) and nitrate nitrogen (NO3−-N) were measured. The productivity increment was calculated based on tree surveys. The results showed that FRBD and FRLD decreased with the soil depth, and more than 86% was distributed within the 40 cm soil depth. FRBD, FRLD, productivity increment and soil N increased with an increasing amount of N application. DF treatments achieved 117%, 94% and 10% higher FRBD, FRLD and productivity increments, respectively, than did FF treatments. The averages of STN, SIN, NH4+-N and NO3−-N under FF were higher than those under DF, leading to higher concentrations of residual NO3−-N in deep soil. Beneficial management practices for fine root growth were evaluated in the following order: water coupled with N &gt; only N ≥ only water &gt; control. FRBD was positively correlated with the productivity increment. Therefore, fine root extension to increase soil resource absorption yields greater productivity under DF treatments. Drip fertilization is recommended as a better fertilization method to greatly promote the growth of fine roots, as well as productivity and residual lower soil N for poplar plantations.

Advantages, disadvantages, and reasons for non-adoption of rotational grazing, herbal leys, trees on farms and ley-arable rotations on English livestock farms

ABSTRACT Adoption of rotational grazing or multi-species herbal leys, planting trees and integrating livestock into arable rotations can increase agricultural productivity and carbon storage on temperate ruminant livestock farms. However, farmers frequently have rational reasons for not adopting seemingly beneficial management practices. Here, we conduct semi-structured interviews with sheep and beef cattle farmers and industry representatives in England, to determine the advantages, disadvantages, and reasons for non-adoption of these four management practices. We find key reasons that farmers rationally do not adopt these practices include capital outlay, incompatibility with farming objectives, and the risk that desired benefits are not delivered.

Longitudinal Network Analysis on a Farmers’ Community of Practice and Their Changes in Agricultural Systems Management

Farmer peer networks have been identified as a key way to increase adoption of beneficial management practices to minimize negative environmental impacts of intensive agriculture. We studied the social processes that contribute to beneficial management practice adoption. We administered two questionnaires to participants of a farmer community of practice, the Ontario Soil Network in Ontario, Canada, prior to participation (Period 1) and at the conclusion of the program, 1 year later (Period 2). All three measured networks, based on communication frequency, sharing and seeking advice, and production system changes, expanded from Period 1 to Period 2 and around 80% of participants adopted or expanded their use of beneficial management practices. Our findings indicate that communication in multiple forms was related to beneficial management practice adoption and expansion. These findings support the focus on farmer peer networks as a valuable policy tool to enhance agricultural environmental sustainability.

Adoption of beneficial management practices to improve soil health

Healthy soils are fundamental to building prosperous and resilient farms and to efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance overall environmental impacts from agriculture. Understanding the adoption of beneficial management practices (BMPs) that promote soil health is necessary for these benefits to be obtained. Drawing from a survey of Ontario farmers ( n = 247) with 60% being crop producers and 22% livestock farmers, we explore the variation in adoption for six soil health BMPs: cover crops, crop rotations, no-till, soil testing, conservation buffers, and organic amendments. Soil testing had the highest rate of adoption, while conservation buffers had the least. The majority of farmers (73%) implemented four or more BMPs as the use of practices such as a rotation with winter wheat, cover cropping, and no-till tend to be positively correlated. Adopters of the BMPs tend to operate larger farms both in the area operated and farm cash receipts than non-adopters. Improving soil health was the most widely selected motivation for adoption across all six BMPs. The most effective interventions to enhance adoption among non-adopters include financial incentives, easily accessible information and advice, and farmer-to-farmer learning. Our results suggest that farmers that adopt BMPs do so primarily to enhance soil health rather than solely for economic considerations. Encouraging use among non-adopters may require monitoring and promoting the benefits of soil health. The results should aid in the development of strategic frameworks that facilitate innovations in policy to enhance soil health.

Screening and scoping-level assessment of beneficial management practices in a Canadian prairie watershed

In the Canadian prairies, eutrophication is a widespread issue, with agriculture representing a major anthropogenic nutrient source in many watersheds. However, efforts to mitigate agricultural nutrient export are challenged by the lack of coordinated monitoring programs and the unique hydrological characteristics of the prairies, notably, the dominance of snowmelt in both water flows and nutrient loads, variable runoff, variable contributing area and the issues of understanding how scale affects nutrient concentrations and prevalence of dissolved nutrient transport (over total nutrients). Efforts are being made to integrate these characteristics in process-based water quality models, but the models are often complex and are not yet ready for use by watershed managers for prioritizing implementation of beneficial management practices (BMPs). In this study, a screening and scoping approach based on nutrient export coefficient modeling was used to prioritize BMPs for the 55,700 km2 Qu’Appelle Watershed, Saskatchewan. By integrating land use information, in-stream monitoring data, stakeholder input and nutrient export coefficient modeling, the study assessed potential efficiencies of six BMPs involving fertilizer, manure, grazing, crop and wetland management in nutrient load reductions for nine tributaries of the watershed. Uncertainty around the effectiveness of the BMPs was assessed. Field-level export coefficients were adjusted with nutrient delivery ratios for estimating watershed-level exports. Of the BMPs examined, in general, wetland restoration had the greatest potential to reduce both nitrogen and phosphorus loads in most tributaries, followed by fertilizer management. The importance of wetland restoration was supported by positive, significant, linear correlations between nutrient delivery ratios and drainage intensity in the tributaries (nitrogen: R 2 = 0.67; phosphorus: R 2 = 0.82). Notably, the relative ranking of BMP efficiencies varied with tributaries, as a result of differing landscape characteristics, land uses and nutrient inputs. In conclusion, the approach developed here acknowledges uncertainty, but provides a means to guide management decisions within the context of an adaptive management approach, where BMP implementation is partnered with monitoring and assessment to revise ongoing plans and ensures selected practices are meeting goals for nutrient abatement.

Citizens’ viewpoints on stormwater Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs) in Brazil

Floods are among the most dangerous and destructive hazards in the world. Stormwater Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs) are a set of strategies that can assist in reducing urban floods and their damages by capturing surface runoff and promoting infiltration. Engagement of citizens in the selection of stormwater BMPs may facilitate the decision-making processes and increase the chance of adopting and maintaining them. Due to existence of catastrophic floods in Brazil, implementing BMPs is essential in the urban areas. The objective of this study is to understand the viewpoints of citizens about a set of stormwater BMPs in Brazil. Moreover, we aim to comprehend whether diverging viewpoints about the BMPs can be associated with existence of different layers in the society. For this purpose, online surveys were used to access wide and diverse groups of citizens from different ages, levels of education and income, as well as geographical location. The questions and descriptions of BMPs were prepared in an accessible language, and then disseminated through various platforms. The responses of more than 1000 participants were analyzed using descriptive and statistical methods. Our results show that the participants found the retention and detention basins, as well as permeable pavement as the most efficient BMPs. Moreover, considering the small-scale practices, although lot related BMPs are considered less efficient, citizens are willing to use green roof, bioretention, and rain barrels in their properties. In addition, most of the respondents support public investments on stormwater BMPs. Our analyses show that participants' age and level of education statistically influenced their choice of BMPs and willingness to pay for their maintenance and construction. These results can help Brazilian policy makers to prepare flood management plans by including stormwater BMPs that would be more accepted by the population. In addition, proposing practices that are aligned with citizens’ perceptions creates a sense of responsibility, and is in accordance with the Brazilian New Framework of Sanitation that includes public participation in policy making.

Trichomycete prevalence in Thomas Brook, Nova Scotia, exposed to different levels of human activity

The Thomas Brook in the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia, was the focus of an Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada wastershed evaluation of beneficial management practices (WEBs) project from 2004–2008. The stream is impacted by human activities along its course, with residential influences and farming operations. The water quality in Thomas Brook was assessed in 2006, and the current study done in 2011–2012 used the same standard invertebrate metrics to measure water quality. This project also examined the prevalence of gut endosymbionts (trichomycetes) in aquatic invertebrates to determine whether water quality affects this community of obligate microorganisms in their hosts. The water quality was improved in Thomas Brook in 2011/2012 compared with that measured in the earlier study. There were 34 taxa of trichomycetes recorded in benthic insects in the stream, including two new species. The trichomycete community was rich in dipteran hosts (midges and black fly larvae), but the prevalence of gut fungi in ephemeropteran (mayfly) nymphs in the system was low, perhaps due to the impact of human activities on water quality.

Canadian horticultural growers’ perceptions of beneficial management practices for improved on-farm water management

Climate change challenges agricultural production in Eastern Canada by affecting water resource availability. Farmers' adoption of improved water management practices and technologies can play an important part in the region's climate change adaptation strategy. To facilitate the diffusion of agricultural beneficial management practices (BMPs), it is essential to examine the factors that influence farmers' decision-making, and the barriers and facilitators of adoption. While determinants of adoption have been studied extensively, past research suggests that they are context dependent and that a gap exists in relation to understanding how BMP characteristics are perceived and how they shape adoption. Therefore, this article identifies some of the key factors in the adoption of improved water management systems in Ontario and Québec by focusing on differences between adopters and non-adopters. This study uses data from a survey of 70 fruit and vegetable growers. Results show that Canadian growers find important being good stewards of the land – being interested in minimizing their farms' impact on the environment and making good use of scarce resources. Farmers also believe society should help support the costs associated with safeguarding the environment. Growers interested in adopting the BMPs were likely to have less farming experience, diverse farming goals, higher educational attainment, and a higher degree of specialization in the production of tomatoes, cranberries or onions. While the majority of growers perceived the BMPs to be profitable, a better alternative and having capacity to reduce water use and improve yields, growers not interested in adopting these BMPs identified several issues that in their view act as barriers – initial cost of investment, and market instability. Policy responses aimed at enhancing diffusion of the BMPs, can be better targeted on priority regions and growers, incorporating in their communication strategy messages that resonate with growers' needs and take note of concerns they raise.

Prioritizing Beneficial Management Practices for Species at Risk in Agricultural Lands

Agricultural expansion and intensification are major drivers of ecosystem degradation and loss of biodiversity around the world. Countries are relying on protected areas to conserve habitats and prevent species decline, but these are either too few, too small, or too disconnected to capture and protect the needs of species at risk (SAR). Privately owned and managed lands and agricultural producers are increasingly needed to assist with habitat conservation and SAR recovery. Uptake of environmentally beneficial management practices (BMPs) by producers is often hindered by the lack of awareness of the needs of SAR and of the contribution they can make to their habitats, an actual or perceived negative economic and operational impact of the necessary management changes, the fear of losing management control over their land, and mistrust toward public agencies. We present an eight-step model framework that allows agricultural producers to privately determine the potential SAR occurring in a land parcel of interest and to identify and prioritize mutually compatible and outcome-oriented BMPs relevant to these species. In Alberta, Canada, the framework resulted in the development of a confidential self-served online extension tool tailored to a typical farm-level management unit, and to the geographical and ecological context of the operation. We provide a case study using a land parcel from the agricultural region of Alberta to illustrate the model and the associated tool. This novel approach can alleviate producers concerns, promote uptake of BMPs, and foster voluntary stewardship of SAR habitats on privately owned or managed lands.

Pre-weaned dairy calf management practices, morbidity and mortality of bovine respiratory disease and diarrhea in China

Controlling disease, maintaining animal well-being, and sustaining production efficiency in Chinese dairy industry will depend on whether enough of China's dairy farmers can adopt proper calf management practices. Consequently, to provide insights into a number of beneficial management practices used by many Chinese dairy farmers, ninety-eight dairy farms, located in the country's three typical climate zones (severe cold zone, SCZ; cold zone, CZ; and hot-summer/cold-winter zone, HSCWZ) were surveyed. The various management practices employed and the morbidity and mortality rates caused by bovine respiratory disease and diarrhea were recorded at each investigated farm. About three quarters of the calves on these farms were housed indoors (either individually or in group pens). The proportion of the calves reared in separate pens (individual indoor or outdoor hutches) was highest (56.20%) at large-scale farms (> 500 cows), followed by 33.3% at medium-scale farms (50–500 cows). A majority of the investigated farms (≥ 68.04%) did not have a system for monitoring either temperature, relative humidity, or air quality. A medium depth (score 2) of bedding was most common at 42.11% of the farms. 87.76% of the farms relied on natural ventilation. 36.10% of the farms did not provide supplemental heating in the calf barn, and the heating methods most often used differed among the three climate zones. Manual milk feeders involving bottles or buckets were more common (83.67%) than automated milk feeders. The mean morbidity and mortality rates of pre-weaned calves infected with bovine respiratory disease were 11.73% (95% CI:10.2–13.23%) and 3.65% (95% CI: 2.85–4.45%), while those infected with diarrhea were 14.17% (95% CI: 12.46–15.88%) and 3.61% (95% CI: 2.97–4.25%). The rates were highest in the SCZ, in spring and winter, and among group-housed calves. These results should provide insights that could lead to better management practices improvements that will help to sustain not only China's dairy farms but also dairy farms operated in the similar climate zones around the world.