CROPASyst

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CROPASyst

• A confidential, voluntary risk assessment of
  field-based management practices

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Links twoenvironmental programs
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Same recommendations

• MGSP groundwater protection
• MAEAP environmental assurance
• Michigan Right to Farm guidelines
• MSU Extension and NRCS
• Industry supported practices

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FarmASyst vs. CropASyst

• Field-based activities

• Farm Headquarters

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CropASyst

• Based on
• Right to Farm guidelines
• State and Federal environmental laws
• Consistency among MAEAP system
• Applies to all cropping systems
• Crop specific management practices

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CropASyst

• Now available
• Field crops
• Corn
• Soybeans
• Wheat
• Sugar beets
• other field crops

• Future
• Tree fruit
• Small fruit
• Vegetable
• Nursery crops
• Christmas trees
• Greenhouse crops

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Why do a CropASyst?

• Your family neighbors health
• Protect farm value
• Demonstrate good stewardship
• Good faith effort liability protection
• MGSP cost-share and incentive payment

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Format

• Risk questions answers
• Answers classified
• Low Medium High Risks
• Conformance with RTF guidelines
• Illegal practices
• Required level for MAEAP verification

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Example risk question

• How often are fields soil tested for nutrient
  levels?

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Example answers
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Records needed for verification

• Field names or maps
• Acres in cropped portions of the fields
• Up-to-date soil test reports
• Or, a schedule to bring all test up-to-date.

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CROPASyst Contents

• Nutrient management
• General mgt practices
• Nitrogen
• Phosphorus
• Manure
• Bio-solids
• Pest management
• General pest mgt practices
• Pesticide application

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Contents (continued)

• Soil and Water Conservation practices
• Irrigation management
• System management
• Record keeping
• Irrigation scheduling
• Application practices
• Wellhead protection
• Water Use Reporting
• Pasture Management
• Operations and Maintenance

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Cropping System Improvement Action Plan

• Identified high or medium risk practices
• Planned lower risk management practices
• Timelines
• Immediately
• Future

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CropASyst

• 40-79 risk questions
• 2-4 hours
• depending on complexity of farm
• Implementation schedule
• Additional time to assemble/review records
• Any record system okay

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Re-certification Credits

• 4 credits
• Completed with a trained individual
• Groundwater Technician
• Private pesticide applicator
• 12 re-certification credits
• required in 3 years

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Cropping System verification
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To get started

• Contact your Groundwater Technician
• Conservation District
• MSU Extension