Forage webinar examined water supply, drones and more – The N’West Iowa REVIEW

Report on the Forage Webinar Series: Aligning Agricultural Practices with Sustainable Development Goals

A webinar hosted on November 18 by the I-29 Moo University and the Northern Plains Forage Association addressed key agricultural topics, with presentations directly aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning food security, clean water, innovation, and sustainable land use.

Sustainable Water Management for Livestock: Advancing SDGs 2, 6, 7, and 15

Kapil Arora, an Extension agricultural engineer, delivered a presentation on pasture watering systems for livestock, emphasizing practices that support several key SDGs.

• SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): The report stressed the importance of both water quantity and quality. Options for sustainable water sourcing were presented, including ponds, wells, and controlled stream crossings, which protect water sources from contamination and ensure responsible management.
• SDG 15 (Life on Land): The benefits of controlled access to water sources and the strategic use of tile lines for distribution were highlighted as methods to prevent soil degradation and protect terrestrial ecosystems.
• SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy): The presentation included an analysis of renewable energy options for powering water pumps, such as solar, wind, and electric systems, promoting the transition to clean energy in agricultural operations.
• SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): By building resilient water systems and backup plans, farmers can mitigate the impacts of drought, ensuring livestock health and productivity, which is fundamental to maintaining food security.

Precision Agriculture via Drone Technology: Contributions to SDGs 2, 9, 12, and 15

Tracy Shane, a livestock specialist from the University of Nevada, Reno, Extension, presented on the application of drone technology in forage and land management, demonstrating a clear link to innovation and sustainable production.

1. Advancing SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): The use of drones represents a significant technological innovation in agriculture. Drones provide high-resolution imagery and spectral data, transforming land management capabilities.
2. Supporting SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): Drone applications lead to more efficient and sustainable production patterns. Key uses include:
   • Improved weed detection
   • Enhanced vegetation monitoring
   • More accurate forage production estimates
3. Promoting SDG 15 (Life on Land): The data collected by drones allows for precision management of rangelands, contributing to the conservation and sustainable use of ecosystems.
4. Addressing Challenges: The report acknowledged operational challenges such as high startup costs and data security. A proposed solution involves agricultural cooperatives or conservation districts serving as platforms for drone deployment, allowing for shared resources and data among producers.

Market Stability and Economic Resilience in Forage Production: Supporting SDGs 2 and 8

Barb Kinnan-Baier, executive director of the Nebraska Alfalfa Marketing Association, provided an analysis of the alfalfa and hay markets, focusing on economic sustainability and its role in the broader food system.

• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): The discussion covered market trends, pricing structures, and the challenges facing producers. A key development noted was the effort to create a revenue crop insurance product for alfalfa, a measure designed to enhance economic resilience and provide financial stability for farmers.
• SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): A stable and predictable market for essential forage crops is vital for the sustainability of the livestock industry. The report highlighted a steady trajectory for hay acres, which is crucial for maintaining the feed supply chain that underpins food production systems. The shift toward local markets due to rising freight costs was also identified as a significant trend impacting production patterns.

Synthesis and Future Directions

The webinar concluded with a discussion synthesizing the topics and outlining future research needs in alignment with the SDGs.

• Technology and Research: Ongoing research into cost-effective sensors for plant monitoring and the effects of water quality on different livestock was noted as essential for advancing sustainable practices.
• Continued Education: The forage series will continue on December 4, with topics including hay supply management and market outlooks, furthering the goal of educating producers on sustainable and profitable agricultural strategies.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger: The article’s central theme is sustainable agriculture, focusing on forage management, livestock watering, and hay market stability, all of which are crucial for ensuring food security and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
• SDG 4: Quality Education: The article describes a webinar series organized by universities and associations to disseminate knowledge and technical skills to farmers, ranchers, and land managers, which aligns with providing inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities.
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: There is a significant focus on water supply systems for livestock, including discussions on water quality, efficient distribution, and the use of various water sources like ponds and wells, directly connecting to the sustainable management of water.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The discussion on hay market trends, pricing formulas, producer profitability, and the development of crop insurance products relates to the economic viability and growth of the agricultural sector.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The article highlights the use of modern technologies like drones, virtual fencing, and solar/wind-powered pumps to innovate and improve efficiency in agricultural practices.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: By promoting technologies and practices that lead to better resource management, such as drone-based forage estimates and controlled water access, the article addresses the need for sustainable production patterns.
• SDG 15: Life on Land: The use of drones for “vegetation monitoring” and “rangeland management” contributes to the sustainable management of terrestrial ecosystems by enabling better-informed decisions to prevent land degradation.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The webinar itself is a collaborative effort between multiple institutions, including I-29 Moo University, the Northern Plains Forage Association, Iowa State University, and the University of Nevada, showcasing a partnership to share knowledge and expertise.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 2.4: “By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters and that progressively improve land and soil quality.”
   • The article supports this by discussing resilient practices like building “backup plans in case of drought or water supply issues” and using drone technology for “forage production estimates” to improve land management.
2. Target 4.4: “By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.”
   • The webinar series provides farmers and land managers with technical skills in drone technology, water systems engineering, and market analysis, as described in the presentations by Tracy Shane, Kapil Arora, and Barb Kinnan-Baier.
3. Target 6.4: “By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity…”
   • Kapil Arora’s presentation on “various options for watering systems in pastures, including direct access, controlled access with fencing, wells, and different types of pumps” directly addresses methods to improve water-use efficiency in agriculture.
4. Target 9.5: “Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries… encouraging innovation…”
   • The article discusses “current research on using pasture watering systems” and the application of “drone technology for forage management,” which represents the dissemination of research to upgrade technological capabilities in the agricultural sector.
5. Target 17.16: “Enhance the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources…”
   • The event described is a partnership between “I-29 Moo University and the Northern Plains Forage Association,” featuring experts from Iowa State University and the University of Nevada, to share knowledge with producers.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for Target 2.4: The article implies progress can be measured by “forage production estimates” and the “trajectory for hay acres.” The development of a “revenue crop insurance product for alfalfa” also serves as an indicator of resilience in production systems.
• Indicator for Target 4.4: An implied indicator is the number of participants in the webinar, as the article states that “registration is required at least one hour prior to the webinar.” The number of trained drone pilots (“trained three additional drone pilots”) is another specific indicator mentioned.
• Indicator for Target 6.4: Progress can be measured by the adoption rate of efficient watering systems. The article mentions evaluating the “costs, benefits, and considerations for each system,” which are metrics used to assess efficiency.
• Indicator for Target 9.5: The article points to specific technological outputs that can serve as indicators, such as “high-resolution imagery and spectral signatures” from drones that lead to “improved weed detection” and “vegetation monitoring.” The use of “solar, wind, or electric power for pumps” is another measurable indicator of technology adoption.
• Indicator for Target 17.16: The number and diversity of collaborating organizations (universities, extension services, marketing associations) mentioned in the article serve as a direct indicator of multi-stakeholder partnerships.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: nwestiowa.com