The Big Blue River Basin consists of approximately 9,600 square miles of primarily agricultural land within Nebraska and Kansas. In recent years, the detection of farm chemicals within the Big Blue River have heightened concerns regarding the area's water quality. To respond to these concerns, growers from both states, along with various state and federal agencies and university personnel, have undertaken a variety of programs to help protect water resources.

A survey of pesticide use and farming practices, was conducted during the fall of 1996, as a complement to the water protection programs. The objective of the survey was to collect valuable data for targeting and developing educational programs. Both sides of the Blue River Basin were surveyed by the Nebraska and Kansas departments of agriculture, in cooperation with Nebraska and Kansas Ag-Statistics and university cooperative extension personnel.

Data from the survey has been summarized and is providing useful information on the timing, rates, and methods of pesticide application currently being used. These farm management practices influence the losses of pesticides from the site of application. Information from these surveys is being used by university personnel and others to develop educational programs on best management practices (BMPs) which more efficiently meet the individual producer's needs. For more specific information concerning this ongoing study visit the Big Blue River Basin Water Quality page, sponsored by the Cooperative Extension Service of the University of Nebraska and Kansas State University (Click here for similar KSU publications).