Benefits of Conservation Buffers

High-yield agriculture involves intensive production practices that incorporate substantial levels of fertilizer and pesticide application. Because most farming enterprises apply uniform amounts across the entire field, there are areas within the field where the products are underutilized and therefore subject to runoff in irrigation or rain water. Such runoff presents a potential hazard to waterways, streams and ponds that may collect the runoff.

Conservation buffers, such as filter strips and riparian forest buffers are widely prescribed to improve and protect water quality in agricultural landscapes. The filters are typically a strip of uniform width along the margin of a field on the down-slope side that is designed to catch and filter any pesticides, fertilizers, certain pathogens, heavy metals, or sediment that may run off of the field. Common buffers include riparian buffers, filter strips, grassed waterways, shelterbelts, windbreaks, living snow fences, contour grass strips, cross-wind trap strips, shallow water areas for wildlife, field borders, alley cropping, herbaceous wind barriers, and vegetative barriers.

Buffer strips may catch snow, cut down on blowing soil, provide cover for wildlife populations and shelter for livestock during inclement weather conditions. Grassy waterways may also provide periodic grazing. Buffer strips may provide food and nesting areas for wildlife as well as to provide corridors for safe movement. They will often reduce noise and odor. Such benefits make them especially attractive when the agricultural land is near population centers.

Studies have recently been completed that suggest that variable width buffers are more effective in controlling potentially hazardous runoff. Frequently there are certain areas of a given field that produce a greater volume of water runoff than other areas. Such an area might be at the foot of a slope or in the path of a former waterway that has been filled. In such cases, a wider buffer may be necessary to provide adequate capture of sediment and hazardous materials.

Conservation buffers around confined livestock facilities may help to meet legal requirements of runoff control. Grassed waterways and buffer zones can prevent undesirable escape of nutrients into streams and other natural bodies of water. Tree rows can help to reduce dust, odor and noise from feeding operations as well as to capture nutrients and prevent their escape into surrounding areas. Tree rows help to provide a screen that will create a more positive image for casual observers of the operation.

In certain areas, conservation buffers can contribute to the revenue of the farming operation. Such revenue can be derived from hunting leases because of the improved wildlife habitat on the farm. Careful planning of the conservation buffers to provide food and shelter to pheasant and quail populations helps to maintain their health – particularly during seasons when field crops are unavailable. In locations with deer populations, shelter belts can provide bedding areas and cover.

Livestock water is another issue that must be considered. If field runoff is unchecked, farm ponds can become unusable due to silting. They also can become hazardous to the health of livestock due to pesticide and heavy metals concentrating in them. According to the Natural Resources Conservation Service, adequate buffer strips have been shown to remove up to 50% or more of pesticides, 60% or more of certain pathogens, and 75% or more of sediment. Such considerations, along with the various programs available through the NRCS, make buffer strips an economical control method that enhances the value of a farm and provides a visually pleasing and healthy environment.

Farming often comes under fire from citizens concerned about the environment and from those who are bothered by the odor and noise that may be created. Conservation buffers are one method to help allay such concerns and to create a positive image for the farming community.