Protecting Water Quality Through Precision Nutrient Management
We believe that healthy crops and a healthy environment go hand in hand, and protecting water quality has been a top priority at Threemile since day one. That’s why we carefully manage every step of the nutrient application process, ensuring we only apply what the plants need to thrive—no more, no less. This includes strictly adhering to a zero-discharge requirement, so dairy waste never enters streams or groundwater sources.
When it comes to nutrient management, our approach is guided by the 4R Nutrient Stewardship Principles:
Right Source: We use nutrient sources that match the needs of our crops and soil, including organic fertilizer from our dairy. This reduces the risk of nutrient runoff and enhances soil health naturally. We recycle and reuse all our non-potable water as “green water” or “effluent water.” We collect the green water, inject it into our irrigation system, and apply it to the fields on a circle-by-circle basis to fertilize growing crops. Each application of green water equates to one less conventional, fossil-fuel-based crop nutrient application.
Right Rate: We apply nutrients in precise amounts based on data-driven soil and plant analysis. This ensures crops get exactly what they need to grow—without overapplying, which helps protect surrounding water sources.
Right Time: Timing is everything. We apply nutrients when crops are best able to absorb them, reducing the potential for loss through leaching or runoff.
Right Place: Using advanced GPS technology and precision equipment, we apply nutrients where they’re needed most—directly at the root zone—minimizing waste and keeping nutrients out of waterways.
By following these best practices, we not only improve crop performance but also help preserve the integrity of local water systems. It’s part of our broader commitment to sustainability and being good stewards of the land we farm.