Posted: 06.16.2010

A major Agriculture Department study says
farmers in the Upper Mississippi River basin have made significant
progress in reducing sediment, fertilizer and pesticide runoff.
But it says they also need to do more to cut pollution.

The biggest concern is excessive runoff of nitrogen fertilizer.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told The Associated Press
before the study's release Wednesday that it shows good
conservation practices work.

The study found use of soil erosion controls are widespread. And
it says conservation practices in the region have been extremely
effective in reducing pesticide runoff.

It's the first of several studies the USDA plans to release on
the effect of conservation practices on major watersheds.

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