Nearly 200 Ohio AgriBusiness Association (OABA) members, Ohio farmers and agriculture retailers attended the OABA Lake Erie Watershed Crop Nutrient Retailers Meeting on Feb. 29 in Perrysburg, Ohio.
Nutrient applicators, agronomists, farmers and various government agencies came together to address algal blooms in the Western Lake Erie Basin and Grand Lake St. Marys. The group discussed the current state of the issue, potential contributors to the issue – including dissolved reactive phosphorus from agriculture, and actions the agriculture industry can take to do their part in correcting the challenge. The recommendations focused on the 4R nutrient stewardship principles of applying the right fertilizer source, at the right rate, right time and in the right place.
“We know that dissolved reactive phosphorus is playing a part in the algal blooms in some of Ohio’s watersheds, particularly in the Western Lake Erie Basin,” said Chris Henney, OABA President and CEO. “While agriculture practices aren’t the sole cause of these issues, we encourage Ohio farmers and agribusinesses to do our part to address this challenge. This may include adapting current farming practices, and the OABA is here to support our members by providing education on this critical topic.”