Missouri 2009 CIG Technology Category

Improved On-Farm Energy Efficiency

Possible subtopics include:

• Biobased energy opportunities.
• Methane recovery and reduction in nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2).
• Improving the energy efficiency of land-based agricultural production through conservation practices and activities.
• Energy audit of activities related to natural resource concerns (soil, water, air, plants, and animals) on agricultural lands.

Water Management (both drainage water and irrigation water)

Possible subtopics include:

• Implementation of drainage water management systems in small watersheds and application of tools to assess multiple effects (e.g., economic, wildlife habitat, soil quality, air quality, wetlands, and water quality) at watershed scale.
• Achieving downstream nutrient reduction benefits through management of surface or sub-surface drainage systems.
• Improving water/nutrient accounting/budgeting.
• Improving design and management of drainage water management systems to improve benefits to producers and the environment.
• Management of surface or sub-surface drainage systems to reduce nutrient losses to downstream waters, document benefits to fish and wildlife, soil quality, air quality, and account for nutrient and water losses.
• Demonstrations to further define and address the topographical limitations of drainage water management.
• Producer adoption and management of drainage water management as part of a complete conservation system.
• Demonstration of the performance of buffers with drainage to reduce nutrient loadings in tile-drained landscapes.
• Improving the ability of buffers to reduce nutrient loadings in tile-drained landscapes.
• Improving wetland creation, restoration, and enhancement to reduce nutrient loadings.
• Achieving nutrient or pollutant reduction benefits in downstream receiving waters through area-wide or regional irrigation water management, scheduled application, and supply or application of new or innovative technology.
• Water conservation, including innovative approaches and methods to conserve irrigation water use.

Improved Nutrient Management to Improve Water Quality

• Implementation of conservation systems to reduce nutrient runoff and leaching by proper rate, timing, and placement of nutrients.
• Demonstration of the effectiveness of "high potential" conservation practices (such as drainage management, wetlands designed for nutrient reduction, conservation buffers, cropping systems including cover crops, manure management, in-field nutrient management) in reducing nutrient leaching and runoff and document benefits in small watersheds.
• Demonstration of the performance of conservation buffers and filter strips by assessing the situational effectiveness of their component practices and design parameters (including appropriate width and plant materials).
• Improved management strategies and approaches for reducing the loss of soluble nutrients.

Air Quality

• Identification, evaluation, demonstration, and quantification of air quality improvement techniques, practices, and activities compatible with crop production and/or the management and handling of livestock or poultry manure and animal by-products.

Conservation Technology Transfers to Targeted Groups of Farmers

• Transfer of demonstrated conservation technologies and practices through a producer handbook consistent with NRCS' Field Office Technical Guide and adapted to specific producer groups (e.g., organic farming, specialty crops, livestock, poultry, row crops, small grains, etc.).
• Improved or innovative conservation practices and systems for rice production that address the habitat needs of waterfowl.
• Demonstration of conservation practices and systems that are affective for organic crops and livestock/poultry production.
• Technology transfer to Beginning Farmers, Socially Disadvantaged Farmers, or Limited Resource Farmers.

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