Dear
Customers
and Water Management Specialists,
It seems like I’ve
noticed more soil erosion this year after rain storms than
normal. The Federal EPA and State Environmental Agencies tell
us that many of our waters are “impaired” and
that the single largest non-point source cause of that impairment
is sediment.
We also know that the loss of top soil from fields reduces
the natural ability of that field to produce crops. So in
order to satisfy the increased demand for corn and beans and
generate a greater return on increasingly expensive land,
we apply higher rates of commercial fertilizer. Some of this
fertilizer leaches into the water and further impacts its
quality.
It seems like if we are really serious about ensuring a sustainable,
highly productive, economically efficient and environmentally
friendly ag industry, then we, as a country should invest
more in our natural resources.
Please encourage your state and federal policy makers to
support soil conservation and water quality practices like
terraces, improved waterways, wetlands, drainage water management,
and buffers before we further degrade the quality of our water
and lose more of the fertile soil we have been blessed with.
As always, if we do a good job for you, please tell your
buddy. If we don’t, please tell me so we can make it
right.
At Your Service,
Charlie Schafer, President
Made in the USA
