HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (8) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Richards, R. P. Articles by Eckert, D. J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Richards, R. P. Articles by Eckert, D. J. Agricola Articles by Richards, R. P. Articles by Eckert, D. J. Related Collections Tillage Surface Water Quality Best Management Practices Ecosystem Management Nutrient Management

SPECIAL SUBMISSIONS
Findings from the USDA-sponsored Lake Erie Agricultural Systems for Environmental Quality Project

Trends in Agriculture in the LEASEQ Watersheds, 1975–1995

^a Water Quality Laboratory, Heidelberg College, 310 E. Market Street, Tiffin, OH 44883
^b School of Natural Resources, The Ohio State University, 2021 Coffey Road, Columbus, OH 43210-1085

* Corresponding author (Prichard{at}heidelberg.edu)

Received for publication August 12, 2000. County-level agricultural statistics were aggregated at the watershed level to provide estimates of trends in land use and agricultural management in the Maumee and Sandusky River watersheds during the period 1975–1995. Average farm size increased by 40% or more, but the number of farms decreased by nearly 40%; the total land area in agriculture also decreased, but only by about 7%. Conservation tillage increased from virtually nothing to nearly 50% of cropland in corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]; most of the change is due to adoption of no-till soybean. The Conservation Reserve Program has enrolled more than 75000 hectares, but this represents less than 5% of total farmland. The great majority of land classified as highly erodible has been placed under treatment during the study period. Cropland in soybean has increased; land in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and hay has decreased. Cropland in corn has decreased in the Maumee watershed and increased slightly in the Sandusky watershed. Average per-hectare yields of corn, soybean, wheat, and hay have increased by 10 to 40%. Fertilizer phosphorus sales increased until about 1980 and have declined significantly since then; fertilizer nitrogen follows a similar but less pronounced pattern. The decreases are more substantial in the Maumee watershed than in the Sandusky. Manure use for fertilizer has also declined significantly.

Abbreviations: CRP, Conservation Reserve Program • LEASEQ, Lake Erie Agricultural Systems for Environmental Quality • LOWESS, locally weighted scatterplot smoother

This article has been cited by other articles:

				R. P. Richards, F. G. Calhoun, and G. Matisoff The Lake Erie Agricultural Systems for Environmental Quality Project: An Introduction J. Environ. Qual., January 1, 2002; 31(1): 6 - 16. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. L. Forster Effects of Conservation Tillage on the Performance of Lake Erie Basin Farms J. Environ. Qual., January 1, 2002; 31(1): 32 - 37. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. G. Calhoun, J. M. Bigham, and B. K. Slater Relationships among Plant Available Phosphorus, Fertilizer Sales, and Water Quality in Northwestern Ohio J. Environ. Qual., January 1, 2002; 31(1): 38 - 46. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. B. Moog and P. J. Whiting Climatic and Agricultural Contributions to Changing Loads in Two Watersheds in Ohio J. Environ. Qual., January 1, 2002; 31(1): 83 - 89. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. P. Richards and D. B. Baker Trends in Water Quality in LEASEQ Rivers and Streams (Northwestern Ohio), 1975-1995 J. Environ. Qual., January 1, 2002; 31(1): 90 - 96. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. B. Baker and R. P. Richards Phosphorus Budgets and Riverine Phosphorus Export in Northwestern Ohio Watersheds J. Environ. Qual., January 1, 2002; 31(1): 96 - 108. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]