Effect of Soil Sampling Density and Landscape Features on Soil Test Phosphorus

Organic and/or inorganic fertilizers are used to promote crop growth yet the rate of fertilizer application is often based on the nitrogen needs of the crop and not the phosphorus needs, especially when utilizing animal manures with low N-to-P ratios as compared to plant N:P uptake. Because of this, soil phosphorus levels in many areas of the world are in excess of crop needs. Excessive levels of phosphorus in water bodies such as streams and lakes can result in a condition known as eutrophication. With eutrophication, nutrients promote algal growth which in turn decreases dissolved oxygen levels in receiving water bodies. The issue of excessive nutrient inputs to waterbodies is of particular importance to Kentucky due to its large agricultural base and the Commonwealth’s link to hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico. Nutrient management is one way to minimize the impacts of phosphorus on waterways; however, the success of nutrient management is dependent in part on soil sampling strategies. This study examined the effect of soil sampling density (15 × 15 m, 15 × 30 m, and 15 × 60 m) on Soil Test Phosphorus (STP) in three subplots. Results indicated that mean STP values for the subplots did not change with sampling densities; however, maximum STP levels displayed large variations. Depending on the sampling density used and the method of data aggregation (mean vs. maximum), recommended nutrient application rates varied from phosphorus-based to nitrogen-based. Also of importance was the recognition that maximum STP values were driven by a shallow limestone rock layer, which was not visible at the time of sampling. This limestone rock layer, and hence these highest STP values, were immediately upgradient of a sinkhole from which collected soil samples also exhibited higher STP values. When developing nutrient management plans, particularly in karst landscapes where the potential for groundwater contamination and hence surface water contamination is higher, additional consideration should be given to the influence of geologic materials on soil nutrient levels and greater sampling densities around preferential flow paths

Retrofitting Tractors with Rollover Protective Structures: Perspective of Equipment Dealers

This study was one of a cluster of studies that originated via requests for proposals from the NIOSH National Agricultural Tractor Safety Initiative. The present study design consisted of several steps: (1) formation of an advisory group, (2) development and testing of a standard paper self-responding survey instrument, (3) sample selection of farm equipment dealers, (4) administration of the survey, (5) assessment and analysis of the survey, and (6) in-person response panel of dealers (n = 80) to review results of the questionnaire for further definition and sharpening of the recommendations from the survey. A key finding is that most dealers do not currently sell or install ROPS retrofit kits. Barriers cited by dealers included (1) actual or perceived lack of farmer demand, (2) injury liability, (3) expensive freight for ordering ROPS, (4) lack of dealer awareness of the magnitude of deaths from tractor overturns and the high life-protective factor of ROPS, and (5) difficulty and incursion of non-recoverable expenses in locating and obtaining specific ROPS. Despite not currently selling or installing ROPS, dealers responded favorably about their future potential role in ROPS promotion and sales. Dealers were willing to further promote, sell, and install ROPS if there was demand from farmers. Recommendations include establishing a ROPS “clearing house” that dealers could contact to facilitate locating and obtaining ROPS orders from customers. Additional recommendations include education and social marketing targeting farm machinery dealers as well farmers, manufacturers, and policy makers

Creating a National Coalition to Address Tractor Overturn Fatalities.

Tractor overturns continue to be the leading cause of death on U.S. farms. While rollover protective structures (ROPS) are effective in preventing these fatalities, they are underutilized due to a number of barriers. Past programs in the U.S. and abroad have targeted this area of agricultural safety; however, a national program is not yet in place for U.S. farmers. This study seeks to build a national partnership to address tractor overturn fatalities by increasing the number of tractors with ROPS. A diverse, multisector steering committee has been organized and is working together using Whole System in a Room methods. This method brings together partners from nine stakeholder groups to identify and commit to a collaborative solution to the issue

Increases in ROPS Pricing from 2006-2012 and the Impact on ROPS Demand

In 2006, a social marketing campaign was developed to increase the installation of rollover protective structures (ROPS) on unprotected New York tractors. Using data gathered from the program\u27s hotline, the impact of price increases on farmers\u27 interest in ROPS is examined. Pricing data were obtained for all rigid ROPS kits commercially available in the U.S. since 2006. These data were stratified into two groups of ROPS suppliers: (1) tractor manufacturers that sell ROPS for their own tractors, referred to in this study as original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and (2) aftermarket (AM) ROPS suppliers. The trend in price increases was contrasted with the change in the consumer price index (CPI), the probability of retrofitting within quintiles of cost was estimated, and the increase in ROPS prices over time was plotted The average price increase for a ROPS kit (excluding shipping and installation) over the six years of the study was 23.3% for OEM versus 60.5% for AM (p \u3c 0.0001). Out-of-pocket expenses held steady for OEM versus a six-year increase of $203 for AM (p = 0.098). The probability of a farmer retrofitting dropped monotonically from 66.9% in the lowest ROPS cost quintile to 23% in the highest. If these trends continue, the proportion of inquiries resulting in a ROPS retrofit will fall below 20% by 2020 for AM ROPS. Based on other trends identified in the literature, it is reasonable to assume that decreases in ROPS installation are likely to affect the tractor owners who are most likely to need these safety devices

Development of a data collection system for farm-related accidents resulting in injury

Farm accidents, and the injuries they cause, are a serious problem in the United States; agriculture has the highest work death rate of all industries. However, because of the lack of reporting requirements for such accidents, there is no primary, up-to-date source of farm accident data to guide prevention efforts. The purpose of this research was to identify, summarize, and evaluate existing accident data systems and sources, to identify the essential farm accident data elements to be collected, to identify potential sources of such data, and to develop a procedure for collecting and managing such data. Existing sources of farm accident data, as well as numerous occupational and non-occupational accident data systems, were investigated. Death certificates and newspaper clippings were found to be important existing sources, but were not without deficiencies. Other data systems collect farm accident data in various forms, but selection criteria such as age, relationship of farm work to the person\u27s occupation, or number of employees on the farm result in limitations in the data collected. Extension agricultural safety specialists and others working in farm safety were surveyed on data collection and management. The type of accident, and agent involved, were the most highly desired data elements. A method for obtaining specific farm accident reports from coroners and law enforcement agencies was developed, to supplement death certificate data. A volunteer newspaper clipping service was organized to provide newspaper clippings. Hospital emergency department reporting was investigated and a simple post card reporting system proposed. A personal computer database application program for farm accident data was developed which requires no knowledge of the database software by the user. The program was designed to allow flexibility in future modifications, and to allow further development by applications programmers to maximize user reporting options

Safety Training for Tobacco Workers in Espanol

This program is a Spanish speaking video version of the publication ID-204, Introductory Safety Training for Tobacco Workers. It encourages workers to follow safety guidelines in barns, on wagons, driving tractors, harvesting tobacco, potential illnesses and avoiding hazards on farms

Safety Training for Tobacco Workers in English

This program is an English speaking video version of the publication ID-204, Introductory Safety Training for Tobacco Workers. It encourages workers to follow safety guidelines in barns, on wagons, driving tractors, harvesting tobacco, potential illnesses, and avoiding hazards on farms