CSREES PNW Region Water Quality Program logo Fall 2002
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Nutrient and Pesticide Management

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Photo of agriculturally terraced fields next to river Overview
Pesticide and fertilizer use is almost everywhere across the Pacific Northwest’s developed and agricultural landscapes. In order to provide larger harvests of affordable foods, farmers often supply crops with proper nutrients (fertilizers) and protect them from pests (weeds, insects, fungi, etc.) by applying pesticides. In maintaining their landscapes, homeowners tend to use proportionately more fertilizers and pesticides than do farmers and frequently have less training in proper application methods. Human and animal health problems can occur through excessive exposure to landscape and farm chemicals. Environmental pollution can occur when these chemicals enter waterways and groundwater systems. Nutrients and pesticides can enter surface and ground waters through misapplication, movement of treated soils, irrigation return flows, runoff from urban and agricultural land, stormwater runoff, and leaching through soils. Groundwater contamination from pesticides and nutrients is a difficult long-term issue due to the impracticality of cleansing groundwater aquifers. Responsible agricultural producers and homeowners employ methods to assure proper application of chemicals to minimize potential exposure to people, animals, and the environment. The land grant universities of the Pacific Northwest region engage in a broad range of research activities, outreach, and training programs to assist agriculturists, pesticide applicators, and homeowners in properly managing nutrients and pesticides, for optimal production and environmental stewardship. The universities provide research-based educational materials on soils, plant choices, irrigation management techniques, fertilizer, and pesticide use and a range of other related topics.

Outcomes
  • Home gardeners and producers are more aware of dangers from improper management of pesticides and nutrients
  • Return irrigation flows to rivers are cleaner
  • Groundwater is protected from contamination
  • Landowners and agricultural producers better manage chemicals used to enhance landscapes and to grow crops
Washington State University logo University of Idaho logo Oregon State University logo University of Alaska Fairbanks logo Northwest Indian College logo Environmental Protection Agency logo USDA-CSREES logo

Tractor with pesticide sprayer attachment in field
Pacific Northwest Regional Publications: (note: these publications can be obtained from publication offices at Oregon State University, Washington State University, and the University of Idaho)
PNW 255 Tank-Mixing Herbicides
PNW 276 Current Nutrient Status of Soils in Idaho, Oregon and Washington
PNW 287 Irrigation Runoff Control Strategies
PNW 320 Calibrating and Using a Backpack Sprayer
PNW 505 Which Test Is Best? Dairy Manure Testing
PNW 508 Fertilizing with Biosolids
PNW 511 Worksheet for Calculating Biosolids Application Rates in Agriculture
PNW 513 Nitrogen Uptake and Utilization by Pacific Northwest Crops
PNW 533 Fertilizing With Manure
PNW 546 Nutrient Management for Onions in the Pacific Northwest
PNW 549 Keeping Track of Manure Nutrients in Dairy Pastures
PNW 570-E Monitoring Soil Nutrients Using a Management Unit Approach

Fertilizer Guides
Each of the four land grant universities in the Pacific Northwest (University of Alaska, University of Idaho, Oregon State University, Washington State University) provides up-to-date fertilizer recommendations for economically important crops. Please see the publication website (on the back page) for specific fertilizer guide publications in your state.

Pesticide Use Guidelines
Each of the four land grant universities in the Pacific Northwest (University of Alaska, University of Idaho, Oregon State University, Washington State University) provides up-to-date pesticide use recommendations and integrated pest management strategies for economically important crops. Each year WSU, OSU, and UI produce the PNW Weed Management Handbook, the PNW Insect Management Handbook, and the PNW Plant Disease Management Handbook. Please see the publication website (on the back page) for the pesticide management handbooks and for specific pesticide use publications in your state.

Kids seeing crops (pumpkins) grown in the fieldALASKA Contacts
Fred Sorensen, Water Quality Coordinator, Anchorage, (907) 786-6311, dffes@uaa.alaska.edu
Bob Gorman, Extension Pesticide Coordinator, Anchorage, (907) 786-6323, ffrfg@uaf.edu

ALASKA Publications
FGV-00149A Forage Crops: Field Crop Fertilizer Recommendations for Alaska
FGV-00242A Soil Fertility Basics
FGV-00348 Nutrient /sources and Lime: Field Crop Fertilizer Recommendations for Alaska
FGV-00349 Organic Fertilizers
FGV-00442 Cereal Grains: Field Crop Fertilizer Recommendations for Alaska
FGV-00643 Vegetables: Field Crop Fertilizer Recommendations for Alaska

HGA-00131 Make Your Own Complete Fertilizer
HGA-00436 Tree Maintenance and Pesticides
HGA-00236 Lawn Maintenance and Pesticides
GWQ-00547 Protect Water Resources – Understand Pesticide Movement
LPM-00340 Animal Manure as Fertilizer

IDAHO Contacts
Robert L. Mahler, Water Quality/Nutrient Management, Moscow, (208) 885-7025, bmahler@uidaho.edu
Brad D. Brown, Crop/Nutrient Management, Parma, (208) 722-6701 Ext 216, bradb@uidaho.edu
Jason W. Ellsworth, Extension Soil Fertility, Twin Falls, (208) 736-3611, jellswo@uidaho.edu
Don W. Morishita, Extension Weed Science, Twin Falls, (208) 736-3616, don@uidaho.edu

Edward J. Bechinski, Extension Integrated Pest Management, Moscow, (208) 885-5972, ejb@uidaho.edu
Ronda Hirnyck, Pesticide Coordinator, Boise, (208) 364-4046, rhirnyck@uidaho.edu

IDAHO Publications
CIS 757 Nitrogen and Phosphorus BMPs: Fertilizer Placement
CIS 792 Calibration of Lawn and Garden Pesticide and Fertilizer Applicators for Homeowners
CIS 861 Pesticide Handling Practices to Protect Groundwater
CIS 863 Fertilizer Primer: Terminology, Calculations and Application
CIS 865 Pesticides and Their Movement in Soil and Water
CIS 872 Quality Water for Idaho – Nitrate and Groundwater
CIS 907 Phosphates in Detergents
CIS 938 Quality Water for Idaho: The Role of Integrated Pest Management
CIS 962 Best Management Practices for Nitrogen Management to Protect Groundwater
CIS 963 Best Management Practices for Phosphorus Management to Protect Surface Water
CIS 1065 Improving Sprayer Accuracy: Simple Methods for Correct Calibration

CIS 1070 Nutrient Management Plans: Who Needs Them and How to Prepare Your Own
CIS 1099 Idaho’s Nitrate Areas of Concern

OREGON Contacts
Jeff Jenkins, Pesticide Extension Specialist, Corvallis, (541) 737-5993, jeffrey.jenkins@orst.edu
Jed Colquhoun, Extension Weed Specialist, Corvallis, (541) 737-8868, jed.colquhoun@oregonstate.edu
Mike Gamroth, Extension Water Quality Coordinator, Corvallis, (541) 737-3316, mike.gamroth@oregonstate.edu
John Hart, Extension Soil Fertility, Corvallis, (541) 737-5714, john.hart@oregonstate.edu
Dan Sullivan, Extension Soil Fertility, Corvallis, (541) 737-5715, dan.sullivan@oregonstate.edu

OREGON Publications
EC 628 Soil Sampling for Home Gardens and Small Acreages
EC 1094 Calculating the Fertilizer Value of Manure from Livestock Operations
EC 1278 Fertilizing Lawns
EC 1478 Soil Test Interpretation Guide
EC 1503 Fertilizing Your Garden: Vegetables, Fruits, and Ornamentals
EM 8559 How Soil Properties Affect Ground Water Vulnerability to Pesticide Contamination
EM 8560 Site Assessment for Ground Water Vulnerability to Pesticide Contamination
EM 8561-E Understanding Pesticide Persistence and Mobility for Groundwater and Surface Water Protection (available only online)
EM 8585 Nutrient Management for Dairy Production: Manure Application Rates for Forage Production
EM 8586 Nutrient Management for Dairy Production: Dairy Manure as a Fertilizer Source
EM 8646 Nutrient Management for Dairy Production: Assessing Your Manure Management for Water Quality Risk
EM 8705 Oregon Water Quality Decision Aid (OWQDA): An Overview
EM 8768 Calculating Dairy Manure Nutrient Application Rates
EM 8841-E Get to Know the Pesticide Label (available only online)

EM 8848-E Agricultural Phosphorus Management Using the Oregon/Washington Phosphorus Indexes (available only online)
EM 8850 Oregon Pesticide Safety Education Manual: A Guide to the Safe Use and Handling of Pesticides
EM 8913-E Feed Management as a Tool for Balancing Nutrients on Dairies and Other Livestock Operations (available only online)
EM 8920-E Monitoring Soil Nutrients in Dryland Systems Using Management Units (available only online)
FS 315 How to Avoid Chemical Trespass When Applying Pesticides
PNW 255 Tank-Mixing Herbicides
PNW 259 Valuing Forages Based on Moisture and Nutrient Content
PNW 278 First Aid for Pesticide Poisoning
PNW 320 Calibrating and Using a Backpack Sprayer
PNW 505 Nutrient Management for Dairy Production: Which Test Is Best? Customizing Dairy Manure Nutrient Testing
PNW 506 Date, Rate, and Place: The Field Book for Dairy Manure Applicators
PNW 511-E Worksheet for Calculating Biosolids Application Rates in Agriculture
PNW 549 Keeping Track of Manure Nutrients in Dairy Pastures
PNW 570-E Monitoring Soil Nutrients Using a Management Unit Approach (available only online)
PNW 591 How to Reduce Bee Poisoning from Pesticides
VTP 17 Calibrating and Using Backpack Sprayers video (16 min.) (Includes publication PNW 320)
WAEM0167 Agricultural Weed Management Principles

WASHINGTON Contacts
Carol Ramsay, Pesticide Education Coordinator, Pullman, (509) 335-9222, ramsay@wsu.edu
Robert G. Stevens, Extension Soil Scientist, Prosser, (509) 786-9231, tapiod@wsu.edu
Craig Cogger, Soil Scientist, Puyallup, (253) 445-4512, cogger@wsu.edu
Allan Felsot, Agriculture Chemicals Toxicologist, Tri-Cities, (509) 372-7365, afelsot@tricity.wsu.edu

Pacific Northwest Regional Water
Quality Coordination Project
Partners

Land Grant Universities
Alaska
Cooperative Extension Service
Contact Fred Sorensen:
907-786-6311
http://www.uaf.edu/ces/water/index.html
University Publications:
http://www.alaska.edu/uaf/ces/publications/

Idaho
University of Idaho
Cooperative Extension System
Contact Bob Mahler: 208-885-7025
http://www.uidaho.edu/wq/wqhome.html
University Publications:
http://info.ag.uidaho.edu/Catalog/catalog.htm

Oregon
Oregon State University
Extension Service
Contact Mike Gamroth: 541-737-3316
http://extension.oregonstate.edu/
University Publications:
http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/

Washington
Washington State University
WSU Extension
Contact Bob Simmons:
360-427-9670 ext. 690
http://wawater.wsu.edu
University Publications:
http://pubs.wsu.edu/

Northwest Indian College
Contact Michael Cochrane: 360-392-4299
mcochrane@nwic.edu or
http://www.nwic.edu/

Water Resource Research Institutes
Water and Environmental Research
Center (Alaska)
http://www.uaf.edu/water/

Idaho Water Resources
Research Institute
http://www.boise.uidaho.edu/

Institute for Water and Watersheds
(Oregon)
http://water.oregonstate.edu/

State of Washington
Water Research Center
http://www.swwrc.wsu.edu/

Environmental Protection Agency
EPA, Region 10
The Pacific Northwest
http://www.epa.gov/r10earth/

Office of Research and Development,
Corvallis Laboratory
http://www.epa.gov/wed/

For more information contact
Jan Seago at 206-553-0038 or
seago.jan@epa.gov

The Project
Land Grant Universities, Water Research Institutes and EPA Region 10 have formed a partnership to provide research and education to communities about protecting or restoring the quality of water resources. This partnership is being supported in part by the USDA’s Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension System (CSREES).

Our Goal and Approach
The goal of this Project is to provide leadership for water resources research, education and outreach to help people, industry and governments to prevent and solve current and emerging water quality and quantity problems. The approach to achieving this goal is for the Partners to develop a coordinated regional water quality effort based on, and strengthening, individual state programs.

Our Strengths
The Project promotes regional collaboration by acknowledging existing programs and successful efforts; assessing program gaps; identifying potential issues for cross-agency and private sector collaboration, and developing a clearinghouse of expertise and programs. In addition, the Project establishes or enhances partnerships with federal, state and local environmental and water resource management agencies, such as by placing a University Liaison within the offices of EPA Region 10.

Catherine Daniels, Pesticide Information Center, Tri-Cities, (509) 372-7495, cdaniels@beta.tricity.wsu.edu
Joe Harrison, Dairy Nutrient Management, Puyallup, (253) 445-4638, jhharrison@wsu.edu
John Stark, Environmental Toxicology, Puyallup, (253) 445-4419, stark@puyallup.wsu.edu

WASHINGTON Publications
EB 0712 Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Under Irrigation
EB 1386 Safe Disposal of Home Use Pesticides
EB 1543 Pesticide Movement in Soils-Groundwater Protection
EB 1716 Farming Practices for Groundwater Protection
EB 1631 Protect Your Groundwater: Survey Your Home Environment
EB 1632 Why the Concern about Agricultural Contamination in Groundwater?
EB 1633 Role of Soil in Groundwater Protection
EB 1644 Protecting Groundwater from Pesticide Contamination
EB 1721 Defining Water Quality
EB 1722 How Fertilizers and Plant Nutrients Affect Groundwater Quality
EB 1730 Pesticide Mixing and Loading Options to Protect Water Quality
EB 1744 Your Yard and Water Quality: Simple Things Gardeners Can Do To Prevent Water Contamination
EB 1751 Economic Issues in Protecting Groundwater Quality
EM 4885 Irrigation Management Practices to Protect Surface and Ground Water Quality in the State of Washington

National Water Quality Program Areas

The four land grant universities in the Pacific Northwest have aligned our water resource extension and research efforts with eight themes of the USDA's Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension System.

  1. Animal Waste Management
  2. Drinking Water and Human Health
  3. Environmental Restoration
  4. Nutrient and Pesticide Management
  5. Pollution Assessment and Prevention
  6. Watershed Management
  7. Water Conservation and Ag. Water Management
  8. Water Policy and Economics


PNW0287 Irrigation Runoff Control Strategies
PNW0550 Encouraging Beneficial Insects in Your Garden
CSREES is the Cooperative States Research, Education and Extension Service, a sub-agency of the United States Department of Agriculture, and is the federal partner in this water quality program.

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Download the 11x17 informational PDF flyer or download the 4-page PDF version.

A cooperative program consisting of the USDA Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service
and
the Land Grant Colleges and Universities.

- a Regionally-Based National Network -

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USDA Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service
CSREES PNW Regional Water Quality Program