Hugh Thomas

January 9, 2014

To provide research based solutions that

protect and conserve the water resources

within the Suwannee River Water

Management District by emphasizing the

implementation of voluntary or incentive-

based programs

FDACS BMP Programs Focus is on Commercial Agricultural Operations

Citrus: Statewide manual adopted January 2013

Vegetable/Row Crop: Adopted 2005, under revision

Container Nursery: Adopted 2006, under revision

Sod: Adopted 2008

Cow/Calf: Adopted 2009

Conservation Plan Rule: Adopted 2010

Specialty Fruit/Nut: Adopted 2011

Equine: Adopted 2011

Forestry: Program under the Florida Forest Service

Aquaculture: Division of Aquaculture Certification Program

.

• Improve Irrigation & Fertilizer Mgt.

• (BMP Crop Tools)

• Improve Irrigation Systems

• (Retrofit Programs)

FDACS Irrigation Retrofit

Keeping Water and Fertilizer in the Root

Zone

Automated

Controllers

Weather

Stations

Soil Moisture

Sensors

Water savings of 102,000

g/ac/crop

50 – 80lbs less N/acre using BMP Tools MILs documented more than 18 million gallons saved pivot/year

BMAP Area approx. 30% enrolled with FDACS BMPs (68,741 of 231,827 acres)

RFA area approx. 50% enrolled with FDACS BMPs (22,304 of 44,080 acres)

Contacts

Technicians:

Scott Tucker (352) 213-3365

John Stubblefield (352) 317-1525

Partnership:

Hugh Thomas (352) 317-0504