And there go the prairie potholes....

[SAJ-99]

Modern agriculture is apocalyptic for most wildlife

And the tax payers pay for it. Farmers have tapped out the natural stores of inputs that the prairies and wetlands built up over thousands of years. We can’t convince most of them that there are more efficient and cheaper ways to farm than to apply man made fertilizer on the ground a couple of times each year only to watch it wash away because of the tiles. The answer is to double-down on the tiles. I guess the tax payer will be there to bail them out during a drought.

 

[R.K.]

And the tax payers pay for it. Farmers have tapped out the natural stores of inputs that the prairies and wetlands built up over thousands of years. We can’t convince most of them that there are more efficient and cheaper ways to farm than to apply man made fertilizer on the ground a couple of times each year only to watch it wash away because of the tiles. The answer is to double-down on the tiles. I guess the tax payer will be there to bail them out during a drought.

Nope, no bailout coming this time. Which the end result will be corporate or foreign capital buyout. I won’t get into the who, or the why, but that’s going to be the result with this round of farm bankruptcies.

 

[Mustangs Rule]

Eagle Lake, TX? I can't tell because you don't put a location on your user ID.
If you are going to try to argue that farmers are beneficial to waterfowl, you are going to have a tough go of it without sounding foolish. Try to stick to arguing that this rule change was necessary in any way.

While I tend to agree that Big Ag seriously hurts wildlife, this is another twist to consider.

Why did the snow goose population explode? - Birdful

The population of snow geese has exploded in recent decades. In the early 1900s, overhunting had decimated snow goose numbers, with only a few thousand

www.birdful.org

 

[Mustangs Rule]

It mostly comes back to how much stubble, residue, and water is left during the migration. The entire state of IL seems to get a fall chisel plow these days, the AR delta mows down the rice stubble and drains the fields (unless leased out for hunting), and most of it gets pesticide applications so the invertebrates the ducks eat during warmer weather are severely diminished.

The one crop that seems to get left for stubble is wheat in the prairie pothole region (helps catch snow and retain moisture), but that isn't where wintering ducks are, and the pintails nest in it the following spring only to get their nests plowed under during planting season.

Modern monoculture* agriculture is apocalyptic for most wildlife.

please look at post #63

 

[SAJ-99]

While I tend to agree that Big Ag seriously hurts wildlife, this is another twist to consider.

Why did the snow goose population explode? - Birdful

The population of snow geese has exploded in recent decades. In the early 1900s, overhunting had decimated snow goose numbers, with only a few thousand

www.birdful.org

It helps that they haven’t figured out how to grow corn in the arctic, yet.

 

[bayoublaster7527]

Saw a DU action alert and petition against this. Signed it. Also seen a few waterfowl hunting “influencers” speaking out against it. Maybe that will move the needle.

 

[Lmartin5]

Saw a DU action alert and petition against this. Signed it. Also seen a few waterfowl hunting “influencers” speaking out against it. Maybe that will move the needle.

This is concerning!

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

With all the resistance to this there is a good chance it will be tabled (thank God) and those who introduced the idea will then hope it is forgotten. But people need to remember who introduced this idea and let it sink in. And it wasn't anyone in the "fish and wildlife service" I can guarantee you. In fact, it sickens me that is how it is being presented by so many that are okay with blaming the agency, but avoid blaming the administration who directs it at all costs.

 

[twraska]

Eagle Lake, TX? I can't tell because you don't put a location on your user ID.
If you are going to try to argue that farmers are beneficial to waterfowl, you are going to have a tough go of it without sounding foolish. Try to stick to arguing that this rule change was necessary in any way.

Well, believe what you want, but decline in rice acres coincides with decline in birds here. How often do you see geese landing in native tall grass prairie when there is a rice, corn or milo field with leftover grain from the combine? If you can’t see that I don’t know what to tell you.
And I’ll add, DU has spent big bucks in the area. Habit is supposed to be better than before. That didn’t work out.

 

[twraska]

To expand on that, the pipe is typically discharged into drainage ditches or streams. It essentially takes water that should be creating wetlands or recharging the aquifers and sends it directly into our waterways, often loaded with additional nutrients.

You need to study soil science before you go and make statements that are incorrect. The tile doesn’t run water until the soil profile is saturated anbove the level of the tile and even then it only lowers the water level in the very top of the soil.

 

[NoWiser]

You need to study soil science before you go and make statements that are incorrect. The tile doesn’t run water until the soil profile is saturated anbove the level of the tile and even then it only lowers the water level in the very top of the soil.

I’m not sure what part of what I said was incorrect . What else would the water be doing that’s drained through the tile? I suppose a very small percentage might run off the surface. Some might evaporate. But, the vast majority that’s now piped directly to our waterways would either be soaking into the ground or filling up wetlands. No degree in soil science needed.

We are in a drought here. The neighbors’ tile lines that discharge onto our property are all flowing. Every one of them. I personally checked them last week. We hadn’t had rain in weeks. We did finally get 2.5” on Friday. I guarantee the water is literally shooting out of them right now if I went and checked.

 

[Bonasababy]

Well, believe what you want, but decline in rice acres coincides with decline in birds here. How often do you see geese landing in native tall grass prairie when there is a rice, corn or milo field with leftover grain from the combine? If you can’t see that I don’t know what to tell you.
And I’ll add, DU has spent big bucks in the area. Habit is supposed to be better than before. That didn’t work out.

I believe you are making the mistake that many do...looking at only one season or habitat use/need.