Agricultural Erosion Prevention

Keeping cattle and other livestock out of streams is good for animal health and stream health. In PA, there is no state-wide environmental regulation or law that states that animals must be fenced out of streams in pastures. However, the farmer runs the risk that the animals will “beat up” the streambanks and pollute the water with sediment and manure nutrients. If this is happening, the farmer runs the risk of violating PA environmental rules.

The SCCD and other agencies and groups encourage streambank fencing. Vegetative buffers between streambank edge and fence help filter sediment and nutrients from pastures before reaching streams. Contact the SCCD at 570-837-3000 for ore information. Also, check out additional information listed under “Additional Tips” below.

Technically known as riparian forest buffers, they serve as a transition from land to water. Riparian forests act as filters for the sediments and pollutants from farm fields, residential lawns, and roadways to help keep them from reaching the water.

Some benefits include:

• Reduced erosion: Tree roots hold streambanks in place
• Cleaner water: Trees and shrubs filter pollution
• Favorable natural conditions for wildlife: Streamside buffers create better natural conditions for wildlife in the water, and on the land, including pollinators
• Enriched landscape: Buffers add shade, privacy, and value protection for your property.

If a waterway of any size runs through your land, a streamside buffer can have a huge impact in your backyard and beyond — especially when heavy rainfalls occur.

Research shows that buffered streams are two to eight times more effective in removing pollution from runoff. (From PA Department of Conservation & Natural Resources Website)

For more information on these types of buffers, contact Lauren Cheran, SCCD Program Administrator, at 570-837-3000 x2.

Many farmers harvest corn silage in our area. Other farmers raise horticultural crops (i.e.: gourds, melons, tomatoes, sweet corn). Regardless, the Snyder County Conservation Districts strongly urge the planting of cover crops when cash crops are not growing on farmers fields.

Cover crops help farmers do many things. Cover crops armor the soil from the autumn rains, winter snows and spring showers. Cover crops trap manure and fertilizer nutrients from leaching that would enter our surface and ground waters. Cover crops feed beneficial microbial life during times annual crop years.  Legume cover crops supply nitrogen for the next crop. Other advantages include: 1.) Reduce soil compaction, 2.) Build soil organic matter, and 3.) Improve weed control.

PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regulations state that cover crops must be planted, at minimum, on portions of harvested corn silage and low residue fields 100 feet from any streams or waterbody.

For more information about cover crop selections, mixtures, and rates, contact a reputable seed dealer, nearest Penn State Extension office, the local USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) field office or your county conservation district office. Check out additional information listed under “Additional Tips” below.

While tillage has been practiced before recorded history, new technologies and research has shown that soil erosion and soil aggregate stability decrease as tillage decreases. Other research shows practices such as continual no-till farming can help improve water infiltration, especially with continuous cover cropping.

Continuous no-till farming the soil from the autumn rains, winter snows and spring showers with residue from the prior crop. 

For more information about no-till and reduced-till farming, contact the local USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) field office or your county conservation district office. Check out additional information listed under “Additional Tips” below.

Definition of AHUAs: “Barnyards, feedlots, loafing area, exercise lots or other similar areas on agricultural operations where due to the concentration of animals it is not possible to establish and maintain vegetative cover of a density capable of minimizing accelerated erosion and sedimentation by usual planting methods.”

These AHUAs are also described as areas not in a pasture, but still outside of a barn or other animal raising facility. For practical purposes, they are similar to what PA nutrient management regulations define as an animal concentration area (ACA). Besides, these areas not only can cause sediment pollution; but they move manure nitrogen and phosphorus that would fertilize plants and end up in streams.

No matter if the area is earthen or concrete; in a pasture or not in a pasture; near a stream or away from a stream; the farmer is responsible for preventing pollution from these AHUA from reaching surface waters. Examples of fixing these problems are as follows:

• Keep grassy areas between AHUAs and streams green and lush.
• Maintain a permanent vegetative buffer between cattle and streams.
• Divert roof water and other clean water away from AHUAs.
• Transfer dirty water to a manure storage or treat it with a grassy filter area or other BMP.

Check out additional information listed under “Additional Tips” below.

Examples of agricultural BMPs can be found in the Snyder County AG BMP Guide and the PA Conservation Catalog. These booklets show many types of BMPs that can prevent sediment and nutrient pollution of surface and ground water.

From time to time, other publications are available either at the SCCD office or at the (USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service) NRCS-Middleburg Field Office. Also, check out our Agricultural Conservation Assistance   and Agricultural Nutrient Management   web pages for additional information