What Are Agricultural Best Management Practices?

Agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs) are practical, cost-effective actions that farmers can take to conserve water and reduce the amount of nutrients (fertilizers and animal waste) entering water resources. BMPs are designed to benefit water quality and water conservation while maintaining, or even enhancing, agricultural production.

Some of the most cost-effective BMPs include:

Stream-side Buffers 

Stream-side buffers are areas bordering stream banks that are taken out of crop production or pasture use and planted with native trees, shrubs, or grasses. These buffers are at least 35 feet wide on either side of a stream, and filter and absorb runoff pollution such as excess fertilizer before it can reach streams. The buffers also help shade streams and provide food and homes for wildlife.

Stream-side Fencing

Stream-side fencing keeps livestock and their waste out of farm streams, thereby reducing pollution and erosion and helping prevent the spread of waterborne disease.

Manure and Nutrient Management Plans

Nutrient Management Plans (NMP) and Manure Management Plans (MMPs) help a farmer know how much and when fertilizers should be used on crops. By developing and using the nutrient management plan, farmers can minimize fertilizer costs and reduce nutrient runoff into local waterway.

Continuous No-Till

Continuous no-till (also known as conservation tillage) reduces erosion and runoff by minimizing soil disturbances. This practice also builds the soil's health and its ability to hold moisture. Traditional plowing and tilling, on the other hand, disturbs the soil, leaving it unprotected and allows more erosion to occur.

Cover Crops

Cover crops are planted to absorb excess nutrients left in fields after the main crop is harvested or, sometimes, to add Nitrogen for next year's crop.  Cover crops also help reduce runoff and erosion,enrich the soil with organic matter and build soil structure.

A description of common best management practices implemented on farms can be found in the Conservation Catalog.