Agronomic Division — 2003 Annual Report
Richard Reich, PhD, director, (919) 733-2655
North Carolina is losing some of its best and most productive farmland at an increasingly
alarming rate, increasing the need to improve crop productivity and efficiency on remaining
acres. The pressure to increase productivity must be balanced with careful environmental
stewardship. Proper nutrient management using science-based agronomic principles and
technologies is helping growers make informed decisions that will preserve and protect our
natural resources.
For these reasons, thousands of North Carolina residents continue to use the analytical and
advisory services provided by the Agronomic Division to enhance plant growth, agricultural
productivity and environmental quality. With increased emphasis on improving nutrient
management, protecting water resources and developing new agricultural enterprises,
agronomic services are more important than ever.
Service
In fiscal year 2002-03, the laboratories processed more than 320,000 soil, nematode, plant
tissue, waste and solution samples, and issued more than 50,000 advisory reports. Workload
was lighter than usual this year due to excessive rainfall that made collection of field sample
difficult. The soil testing and waste analysis laboratories continued to operate under the N.C
Department of Environment and Natural Resources Division of Water Quality’ s wastewater
certification program and are qualified to provide critical testing for animal waste permit
compliance.
Specialists and field staff in the division provided about 10,000 farmers, homeowners and
agribusiness leaders with technical advice and recommendations for efficient crop
fertilization, plant nutrition, biosolid land applications and effective nematode management.
Regional agronomists throughout the state conducted on-site assessments for growers;
assisted with land management and plant growth problems; and counseled producers on
using proper fertilizers, saving money, and implementing nutrient management plans.
Several staff also assisted with Hurricane Isabel emergency-response efforts.
Regional agronomists responded to hundreds of requests regarding environmental issues —
primarily waste management plan revisions or clarifications, regulatory updates, and river
basin oversight reviews — and participated in local advisory committees. Agronomists also
provided technical expertise, service, or training for several regional and statewide
environmental projects in cooperation with DENR, N.C. Department of Transportation, N .C
State University, and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
The soil testing laboratory analyzed more than 252,000 samples and provided fertilizer and
lime recommendations for more than 100 crops. Recently, soil test crop codes and
recommendations were revised to meet changing needs and interests. New codes for forage
crops such as switchgrass and wildlife foods were created. Crop codes for vegetables with
