MSU Extension and Michigan sugar beet farmers work to protect Michigan’s freshwater supplies

posted on October 24, 2011 3:44pm

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East Lansing, Mich. – Sugar beet harvest is in full swing across many regions of Michigan. As the beet trucks roll from field to processing facility, Michigan residents can feel comfortable knowing sugar beet growers are good stewards of the land they farm by using sound environmental practices that protect Michigan’s freshwater supplies.

For nearly 20 years, Steve Poindexter, senior specialized educator of sugar beet production for Michigan State University (MSU) Extension, has worked with Michigan sugar beet growers to increase production while improving water quality.

“MSU Extension has been able to educate growers on how to become more efficient with their resources,” said Poindexter. “Production has increased more than 80 percent over the past 15 years. These techniques are also beneficial to the environment. Water quality is being improved by reducing the amount of runoff that enters freshwater sources.”

A main emphasis on improving water quality is to reduce the amount of field water runoff entering Michigan’s freshwater sources. One method to prevent water runoff is to increase the number of cover crops in rotation with the sugar beets.

“Sugar companies won’t let growers plant one sugar beet crop after another on the same plot of land,” Poindexter said. “By rotating other crops into their farm management plan, they help build up soil residues that hold water in the soil, thereby staving off runoff.”

Cover crop residue is left on the fields before planting sugar beets through a practice called conservation tillage. The residue from the cover crop slows down and reduces the amount of runoff getting into freshwater sources.

As a result of MSU Extension’s teaching, the number of sugar beet farmers now planting filter strips in their fields to improve the water quality has increased. Tall grass is used to remove potential contaminants from the flow of runoff. The filter strips reduce suspended soils and dissolved contaminant loadings that would otherwise be found in the runoff. Plant species, planting date and location are carefully analyzed to ensure the filter strips are used most efficiently.

Choosing the right fertilizer is a key contributor to keeping Michigan freshwater clean. Poindexter is working to create the ideal balance between economical and environmental benefits by finding a fertilizer that minimizes nitrogen and produces a high volume of crops. Lower levels in nitrogen in the fertilizer will result in lower levels in the soil and runoff as well.

Poindexter’s work is a part of I Know MI Numbers, a statewide initiative from MSU Extension, focused on improving the quality of life in Michigan by improving Michigan water quality, reducing adult obesity, increasing early childhood literacy, improving science literacy and helping our towns and cities succeed by educating local officials.