Virginia Agricultural BMP CostShare Program

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Virginia Agricultural BMP Cost-Share Program

• Bobby Drumheller,
• Conservation Technician

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Conservation Programs

• CREP
• EQIP
• CSP
• WHIP
• Virginia BMP Program

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What is a BMP?

• Best Management Practice
• Designed to improve water quality
• Total of 55 different practices
• Examples
• Exclusion of livestock from stream
• Rotational grazing
• Storage of animal waste
• Winter cover crops

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About the Program

• Designed to improve water quality (non-point
  source pollution)
• Voluntary
• Offers cost-share, tax credits, and rental
  payments as an incentive
• Other benefits to farmers
• Eligibility Requirements

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Stream Exclusion

• CREP, CRP, VA Program
• 35 feet minimum buffer
• Tree option
• Mowing option
• 75 - 95 cost-share
• Rental payments?
• Lifespan minimum of 10 years, Maintenance up to
  farmer
• Prerequisite to many other practices

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Stream Exclusion (cont)

• Benefits to farmer
• Healthier Livestock
• More stable stream banks
• Benefits to taxpayer
• Cleaner water

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Rotational Grazing

• Split fields into smaller paddocks
• Allows vegetation to rejuvenate
• 75 cost-share
• Includes water
• system, fence,
• etc.
• Stream exclusion
• necessary

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Rotational Grazing (cont)

• Benefits to farmer
• Better pasture
• Healthier, happier
• livestock
• Increased production
• Benefits to taxpayer
• More productive soils
• Cleaner water
• Cleaner air

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Animal Waste Storage

• Poultry litter storage sheds
• Dry stack barns for cattle
• Liquid manure pits for dairy
• May be eligible for winter feeding facility
  (stream exclusion necessary)
• 75 cost-share
• Least cost alternative
• Stringent eligibility requirements

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Animal Waste Storage

• Benefits to farmer
• Enables farmer to store his nutrients
  (fertilizer) and apply at optimal time
• Has to put all the ! somewhere why not get
  help paying for it?
• Benefits to taxpayer
• Animal waste is under shelter
• Allows waste to be spread at optimal time

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Loafing Lot Management System

• Minimum of three paddocks
• Stream exclusion necessary
• Sacrifice area or loose housing facility
• Animal trails/walkways
• Crossings
• Water system
• 75 cost-share

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Loafing Lots (cont)

• Benefits to farmer
• Herd management
• Healthier cows
• Increased production
• Benefits to taxpayer
• Cleaner water
• Cleaner air
• Aesthetics?

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Winter Cover Crops

• Small Grains (rye, barley)
• Must be planted by Oct. 25
• Can not be harvested
• Up to 40 per acre
• 3 Year Contractual up to 55 per acre

• Legumes (crimson clover)
• Must be planted by Sep. 15
• Can not be harvested
• 25 per acre

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Cover Crops (cont)

• Benefits to Farmer
• Increase soil organic matter
• Protect against erosion
• Adds nitrogen to soil (legumes)
• Benefits to taxpayer
• Cleaner water
• More productive soils
• Cleaner air

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Conversion of Cropland to Permanent Pasture or
Hayland

• Puts in permanent stand of grass on existing crop
  field
• Lifespan 5 years
• Grass must be planted by Sep. 15 or Apr. 15
• 75 cost-share on components plus 25 per acre

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Conversion of Cropland to Grassland

• Benefits to Farmer
• Allows cost-share for something they may be doing
  anyway
• Increases soil organic matter
• Decreases erosion
• Benefits to Taxpayer
• Cleaner water
• More productive soils
• Cleaner air

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Other BMP Programs

• Nutrient Management Plan Writing and
  Implementation
• Split application of Nitrogen on corn
• Continuous No-till
• Stream bank stabilization
• Grass waterways
• Reforestation of erodible crop and pastureland
• Composter facilities

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For information contact Bobby or Bobby at (540)
248-6218 ext. 3
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or John or Lori
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Questions?