Press Releases

Field to Market Opens Public Comment for Proposed Revision to Soil Conservation Metric

February 26, 2018

Field to Market: The Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture announced today the release for public comment of a proposed revision to the water erosion model component of the Soil Conservation Metric in the Fieldprint® Platform. All metrics can be accessed either through the online Fieldprint® Calculator or through associated farm management software that integrates Field to Market’s sustainability metrics and algorithms. The metric is one of eight sustainability indicators assessed in Field to Market’s Supply Chain Sustainability Program, an unparalleled framework that helps the food and agricultural supply chain benchmark sustainability performance, catalyze continuous improvement and enables brands and retailers to characterize the sustainability of key sourcing regions.

Summary of Proposed Revision to the Soil Conservation Metric
In the fall of 2017, the Metrics Committee was advised by NRCS of an upcoming improvement in their modeling services that could impact Field to Market’s Soil Conservation Metric. We have worked with NRCS to determine the best path forward, considering the reason for the change on the side of NRCS, the scientific basis for the different models under consideration, and the implementation considerations of the technology of using the NRCS model services in the Fieldprint Platform.

Based on the material reviewed and communications with NRCS and the technology team, the Metrics Committee is recommending Field to Market switch from the RUSLE2 (Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation 2) model to the WEPP (Water Erosion Prediction Project) model to represent water erosion in the Fieldprint Platform. The advantages of WEPP over RUSLE2 include: greater accuracy for erosion estimates; ability to estimate in-field (gully) erosion; updated weather databases and more agile structure for regular updating of weather files; and more robust simulation of crop growth.  In addition to scientific advantages, WEPP relies on the same parameter and weather databases as the WEPS wind erosion module, streamlining NRCS erosion services.  NRCS plans to transition from RUSLE2 to WEPP for water erosion in 2018.  NRCS has already ceased development and updates to RUSLE2.

The same scientific and practical advantages apply to Field to Market. Adopting WEPP will result in a metric that stays current with the state of the science and technology for erosion modeling; will better align with our current wind erosion component; and will ensure continued collaboration with and benefits of USDA investment in erosion modeling tools.

Process and Timeline
As an ISEAL subscriber, any changes to Field to Market’s metric calculations undergo a multi-step review process, followed by a public comment period, prior to implementation in the Fieldprint Platform.

After reviewing materials and discussions with NRCS, the proposed revision to the water erosion model component was approved on January 3, 2018 by Field to Market’s Metrics Committee, an elected, multi-stakeholder governance body comprised of equal representation from Field to Market’s grower, agribusiness, brands and retail, civil society and affiliate (public sector and academia) membership sectors.

This proposed revision is now open for public comment through March 30, 2018. Following this period of public comment, the proposed revision will be presented for final approval by Field to Market’s Board of Directors for implementation into the Fieldprint Platform.

Download the proposed revision to the water erosion model component of the Soil Conservation Metric.

Please send any feedback to comments@fieldtomarket.org by March 30, 2018.

ABOUT FIELD TO MARKET

Field to Market: The Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture® brings together a diverse group of grower organizations; agribusinesses; food, feed, beverage, restaurant, and retail companies; conservation groups; universities and public sector partners to focus on defining, measuring, and advancing the sustainability of food, feed, fiber, and fuel production. Field to Market comprises around 200 members representing all facets of the U.S. agricultural supply chain, with members employing more than 5 million people and representing combined revenues totaling over $1.5 trillion. 

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