Colorado Corn Cultivating Opportunities

Rocky Mountain National Park is measuring higher levels of ammonia deposits that could be coming from agricultural operations.

Crop farmers, dairy farmers, and feedlot operators want to know how ammonia is reaching the park, and how much really comes from agriculture. 

The early speculations to these questions were the topic of discussion at two Colorado Agricultural Air Quality Symposiums held Feb. 24 and 25 in Ft. Collins and Sterling, respectively. 

The symposiums were sponsored in part by Colorado Corn and featured speakers from Colorado State University, the Colorado Dept of Public Health and Environment, Environmental Protection Agency, and Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP). “Farmers and feeders are sensitive to the issue. We want to be sure efforts to address ammonia deposition in the park are based on sound science and not unfounded speculation.  We have been at the table on this issue from the start and have seen real benefits from our involvement.  It is important that any possible regulation that may be brewing does not unfairly burden producers,” said Mark Sponsler, CEO of Colorado Corn. 

The bottom line is that additional research is necessary to determine the sources of ammonia deposits within the park, what weather events may contribute to rising levels of ammonia, and what areas and industries are releasing ammonia that is reaching the park.

The National Park Service, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, the Environmental Protection Agency, and agricultural representatives that make up the Ag Workgroup are collaborating in gaining a better understanding of the situation and identifying workable solutions. The goal is to reduce the level of ammonia in the park in the next 25 years to historic levels. The plans call for implementing voluntary actions to reduce ammonia deposits in the park.

While agriculture was identified as one source of ammonia, the concerns of farmers and ranchers are well represented. Colorado Corn, the Colorado Livestock Association, Colorado Department of Agriculture and other organizations comprise the Rocky Mountain National Park Agriculture Subcommittee.

Symposium speakers said initial measurements recorded during 2006 and subsequent analysis suggest ammonia released from feedlot operations in March are being transported to RMNP during upslope snowstorms. One solution to reducing ammonia deposition in the park would call for implementing procedures that would minimize ammonia releases during a relatively few, key days depending on weather.

Finding the most effective and practical best management practices will take additional research as well. Colorado State University was awarded grant funding to more accurately study the sources of ammonia, how and when it is being transported to RMNP, and what best management practices might be accepted and used by feedlot operators in particular.

“We realize there are a lot of pressures on agriculture and this voluntary approach is vital,” said Phyllis Woodford of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. She said the RMNP is looking at numerous sources of ammonia, nitrogen, and sulfur. “It’s not just agriculture.”

RMNP officials believe higher levels of ammonia may damage the ecosystem, especially at higher elevations which are more fragile.

Learn more:  Trends that Challenge Modeled Assumptions