Farming for the Future: How Ag is Protecting Water Quality
Water quality is essential, as it’s vital for diverse ecosystems, health, recreation and industry. The U.S. is home to more than 95K miles of coastline1 and 25K miles of navigable waterways2 and countless streams and other water sources.
In agricultural regions, water quality directly impacts soil health, crop productivity and livestock well-being. When waterways become polluted with excess nutrients, sediment or bacteria, it can lead to harmful algal blooms, fish kills and contaminated drinking water. These issues threaten public health and create long-term challenges for farmers who rely on clean water for irrigation and livestock.
Agriculture is key in impacting and protecting water quality, making conservation efforts paramount. Farmers and ranchers are increasingly adopting best management practices (BMPs) to reduce nutrient runoff, prevent erosion and improve soil water retention. These collaborative efforts between farmers, researchers and conservation groups are driving innovative solutions to ensure that agriculture remains productive while safeguarding water resources for future generations.
Understanding the challenge of water quality
Excess nutrients from row crops and livestock operations contribute to water pollution. When fertilizers exceed crop needs, runoff carries nitrogen and phosphorus into waterways. Similarly, manure from livestock operations, if not managed properly, can wash into nearby streams, increasing nutrient pollution. This process disrupts ecosystems and degrades water quality for wildlife and humans.
Fertilizer runoff is a primary cause of nutrient-related issues in aquatic environments, leading to excessive plant and algal growth. When rain or irrigation water washes over-fertilized fields, it carries nitrogen and phosphorus into streams and rivers, where these nutrients accumulate and accelerate the development of algae and aquatic weeds. This process, known as eutrophication, reduces water clarity, disrupts aquatic habitats and can create oxygen-depleted zones that harm fish and other organisms. In addition, phosphorus binds to soil particles, making it especially problematic in areas prone to erosion, as sediment-laden runoff carries large amounts of nutrients into water bodies.
The consequences of nutrient pollution extend to drinking water supplies, recreational waters and overall ecosystem health. High nitrate levels in drinking water can pose serious health risks. Algal blooms fueled by excess nutrients can produce toxins harmful to humans, pets and wildlife, leading to fish kills and making lakes and rivers unsafe for swimming, fishing and other activities. Farmers and land managers are implementing conservation practices to address water quality, which include precision fertilizer application, buffer strips and improved manure management to reduce nutrient runoff. To combat nutrient pollution, farmers implement conservation practices that enhance water retention and also minimize runoff.
Agricultural solutions to protect water quality
The Mississippi River Basin covers more than 1.25 million square miles and drains 41% of the lower 48 U.S. states and two Canadian Provinces.3 As it flows through the Midwest, it impacts — and is affected by — many farms and ranches in one of our nation’s busiest agricultural regions.
Row crop farmers are at the forefront of the fight to protect water quality, using precision agriculture to improve fertilizer efficiency. Advanced technologies such as GPS-guided equipment, soil testing and variable-rate fertilizer application allow farmers to apply nutrients only where and when needed, reducing excess runoff. By tailoring fertilizer use to soil conditions and crop needs, farmers can minimize nutrient loss while maintaining high yields.
Conservation methods like cover crops and no-till farming help retain soil and nutrients. Cover crops, such as rye or clover, hold soil in place during the off-season to prevent erosion. No-till farming leaves crop residue on the surface, reducing runoff and improving soil health, leading to better water filtration and reduced nutrient loss.
Many farmers also use buffer strips and wetlands to filter runoff before it reaches waterways. Buffer strips — areas of grass, trees or other vegetation planted along field edges — slow down water flow, trapping sediments and absorbing excess nutrients before they enter streams and rivers. Constructed and natural wetlands act as additional filters, using plants and soil microbes to break down pollutants.
Cattle and livestock operations protect water quality by using rotational grazing and managing livestock access to streams. Rotational grazing involves moving cattle between different pastures to prevent overgrazing, which helps maintain healthy grass cover and reduces soil erosion. Fencing livestock out of streams and providing alternative water sources prevents them from trampling streambanks and contaminating water with manure. These practices improve pasture health, reduce sediment runoff and protect nearby water bodies from excess nutrients and bacteria.
Many livestock operations also implement constructed wetlands and vegetative buffers around feedlots to filter runoff before it reaches waterways. Vegetative buffers — areas of grass, shrubs, or trees planted around feedlots and pastures — help slow water flow and capture sediment and nutrients before they enter streams and rivers.
Improved manure management and digester use are also helping protect water resources. Farmers are adopting better manure storage techniques, such as covered lagoons and composting systems, to prevent nutrient runoff during heavy rains. Some operations invest in anaerobic digesters, which break down manure to produce biogas while capturing excess nutrients, reducing the risk of water contamination.
Working together to protect water quality
Voluntary efforts from farmers and ranchers, supported by federal and state programs, are key to improving water quality. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides funding and technical assistance through initiatives like the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watersheds Initiative (MRBI), helping producers adopt conservation practices.
Partnerships between farmers, researchers and conservation organizations strengthen water quality efforts by combining science with practical on-farm solutions. Universities and extension programs work with producers to study the effectiveness of conservation practices. Organizations like The Nature Conservancy, Ducks Unlimited and state conservation groups provide additional support and resources.
By implementing sustainable practices and working together, the agricultural industry can continue to thrive while protecting vital water resources for future generations.
Brought to you by America’s soybean farmers.
1National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (n.d.). How long is the U.S. shoreline? NOAA. https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/shorelength.html
2U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. (n.d.). Navigation. USACE. https://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Navigation/
3U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District. (n.d.). Mississippi drainage basin. USACE. https://www.mvn.usace.army.mil/Missions/Mississippi-River-Flood-Control/Mississippi-River-Tributaries/Mississippi-Drainage-Basin/