There is growing knowledge and appreciation in the farming community of ideas and practices that improve soil health. The concept of soil health is a holistic way of viewing the soil that acknowledges the complex interconnectedness of its various biological, physical, and chemical characteristics, and how important these are to environmentally sustainable agricultural systems. In addition to potentially improving yields by increasing the resilience of crop and pasture systems, building soil health can increase infiltration of rainfall on farmland, potentially decreasing runoff, nutrient loss, and erosion. Management practices that enhance soil health are being promoted by many groups for use on all types of farms (i.e., dairy, livestock, grain, fruit, vegetables, etc.). Some of the more commonly recognized soil health BMPs include cover crops, reduced tillage (including no-till), perennial crops, strategies to increase organic matter, rotational grazing, and crop rotation.

In some cases, business decisions and management practices based on farm economics have resulted in concentrations of P on farms in excess of what is appropriate for the land base. All farms must now follow state water quality regulations — Required Agricultural Practices (RAPs) — and a nutrient management plan. These regulations direct farmers to manage manure (the primary source of P on farms), in ways that will minimize P runoff. Some newer strategies to improve nutrient utilization and limit runoff — like manure injection — are being used across the state. However, more tools for better distribution and management of manure to minimize overloading of P on cropland are needed.

In some cases, business decisions and management practices based on farm economics have resulted in concentrations of P on farms in excess of what is appropriate for the land base. All farms must now follow state water quality regulations — Required Agricultural Practices (RAPs) — and a nutrient management plan. These regulations direct farmers to manage manure (the primary source of P on farms), in ways that will minimize P runoff. Some newer strategies to improve nutrient utilization and limit runoff — like manure injection — are being used across the state. However, more tools for better distribution and management of manure to minimize overloading of P on cropland are needed.

Tile drainage is the placement of perforated pipes in agricultural fields beneath the roots of crops in order to lower the water table and more quickly drain excess water after rainfall. It has been shown to dramatically increase crop yields and allow farmers to enter fields with equipment without damaging soil during wet periods. The rate of tile drainage installation has increased in the past several years, along with concerns about its role as a pathway for P runoff from a field. All types of farms (i.e., large, small, dairy, vegetable, livestock) are investing in tile due to its significant production benefits in the face of climate change and increasing rainfall. Farmers indicate that tile drainage is allowing them to be more successful with soil health BMP implementation. Policy makers and researchers are struggling to keep pace and understand the full impact of this complicated situation.