Our MissionOur MissionHelping people Helping people help the land.help the land.

NRCSNatural Resources Conservation Service

Our VisionOur VisionProductive Lands ----Productive Lands ----Healthy EnvironmentHealthy Environment

Environmental Quality Incentives Program

USDA Natural Resources Conservation ServiceJanuary 19, 2007

Financial Incentives for Nutrient and Pest Management

Locally Led Process Based on Sound

Conservation Planning

For Working Lands Not Land Retirement

Financial Assistance Agreements with

Landusers

How EQIP Works at the Local Level

Locally LedConservation

Model

Public Participation

and Conservation

NeedsAssessment

Identify andPrioritize Needs

Goal SettingIdentify

programsand funding

Conservation Action Plan &

Proposals

USDAPrograms

EQIP

ImplementPlan

MeasurePerformance

Conservation District convenes and leads local

working group with partners

We are

here

ANNUAL PROCESS – Are You Involved?

Soil tilth Invasive plants Water quality Water quantity Poor grazing Animal health Habitat

Locally LedNatural Resource Problems or Concerns

Air quality Agriculture Chemicals Nutrients Soil compaction Irrigation water

management Landuse conversion

These Will Vary By County

Conservation PlanningSolves Resource Concerns

Overgrazing

Redcedar Invasion

Water development

Cross fencing

Prescribed grazing

Brush managementmechanicalchemicalbiological

Conservation PlanningSolves Resource Concerns

Cropland and Grasslands

Soil erosionsheet and rillgullyephemeral

Gradestabilization structure(GSS)

SedimentBasin

Diversions

Financial Assistance

Through written agreements (contracts) with landusers - NRCS provides a share of the cost the landuser incurs in installing the conservation practices and systems that solve a specified natural resource problem.

ProgramContract

YadaYadaYada

Conservation Plan

Participant

Install practicesPayment of costsMaintain practices

NRCS

Design and layout practicesPayment of cost-share to participantTechnical assistance

Good Planning Merges with Financial Assistance in an EQIP Contract

Uses locally led process Provides financial assistance for structural,

vegetative, and management practices Requires an EQIP plan of operations Cost sharing may pay up to 75% of the costs of

structural practices Incentive Payments Are a Flat Rate per Acre

Environmental Quality Incentives ProgramEnvironmental Quality Incentives ProgramSummarySummary

Incentive Payments Explained

Management Practices Not currently or previously being used

by that person Not a subsidy Reduces Financial Risk of Adopting

New Management or Technology Viable Practice Without The Payment High Potential of Being Continued After

Payment Ends

Nutrient Management Calibration Strips Chemigation Precision Sensor Split Application of Nitrogen

Pest Management Through Crop Systems

Available Incentive PaymentsAvailable Incentive PaymentsNutrient and Pest ManagementNutrient and Pest Management

Nutrient Management Calibration Strips

DEFINITION This is an incentive payment for the application of

nutrients in a manner that minimizes the risk of leaving the field. It includes the use of nitrogen rich or ramped calibration strips in crop fields to determine split application rates for nitrogen. It includes the use of precision tools (i.e. GreenSeeker) to determine nitrogen needs as well as application tools to establish nitrogen rich strips or ramped calibration strips.

Must Meet Nutrient Management Standard

Nutrient Management Calibration Strips

RATE $5.00/acre

DOLLAR CAP $3,200.00/year

ACRE CAP 640

TIME LIMIT Up to 3 Years

Nutrient Management Chemigation

DEFINITION This is an incentive payment to use improved

technology for nutrient management applications to crops and grasses. Allowable when nutrients are applied through irrigation systems using chemigation valves and components. Applications must be according to the Nutrient Management standard (590) and not exceed recommended crop and grass yield requirements and not cause surface or ground water quality problems.

Must Meet Nutrient Management Standard

Nutrient Management Chemigation RATE

$8.00/acre DOLLAR CAP

$5,120.00/year ACRE CAP

640 TIME LIMIT

Up to 3 Years

Nutrient Management Precision Sensor

DEFINITION This is an incentive payment to use advanced

technology for nutrient management applications to crops and grasses. Includes the costs of application of nutrients (labor and equipment) using precision sensor technology (i.e. GreenSeeker) to deliver prescribed fertilizer through spray systems at variable rates across a crop or grass field, resulting in more efficient use of fertilizers according to the actual plant needs which are variable across the field.

Must Meet Nutrient Management Standard

Nutrient Management Precision Sensor

RATE $12.00/acre

DOLLAR CAP $7,680.00/year

ACRE CAP 640

TIME LIMIT Up to 3 Years

Nutrient Management Split Application of Nitrogen

DEFINITION This is an incentive payment related to the

methods used for nitrogen applications on the field. Application of fertilizer will be done as split applications during the growing season. No more than 75% of annual needs are applied at one time. Records will be maintained which document application rates, times, amounts, soil test results, etc.

Must Meet Nutrient Management Standard

Nutrient Management Split Application of Nitrogen

RATE $1.00/acre

DOLLAR CAP $640.00/year

ACRE CAP 640

TIME LIMIT Up to 3 Years

Pest Management Through Crop Systems

DEFINITION This is an incentive payment to use crop systems

that aid in the control or suppression of pests and reduce the overall use of pesticides in the field. It covers the extra costs necessary for the purchase of the crop seed technology (GMOs) and/or labor expenses associated with pest control (Organic Farming). It also includes costs for using RTK level GPS auto steer on equipment and/or auto boom control to reduce spray overlap.

Must Meet Pest Management Standard

Pest Management Through Crop Systems

RATE $10.00/acre

DOLLAR CAP $6,400.00/year

ACRE CAP 640

TIME LIMIT Up to 3 Years

Examples of Other Incentive Payments That Are Available

No-Till $15.00/acre with $19,200 Cap

Conservation Crop Rotation $20.00/acre with $12,800 Cap

Conversion of Class IV or Worse Cropland to Grass $10.00/acre with $6,400 Cap

Patch Burn Grazing $5.00/acre with $6,400 Cap

QUESTIONS????