Phosphorus Impact Calculator
​See how your conservation practices save soil, protect clean water—and save taxpayer dollars.
My Land, My Phosphorus
Wisconsin farmers are leading the way in protecting our water, reducing runoff, and saving taxpayer dollars by changing the way they manage their land. Use the Phosphorus Impact Calculator to see how conservation practices like managed grazing reduce phosphorus pollution and and deliver big returns for your community. Then, share your impact and help keep these smart, cost-effective programs funded.
​Introducing the Phosphorus Impact Calculator
Let's talk about phosphorus - the P in NPK fertilizer. Phosphorus is an important crop nutrient, but when it runs off farm fields, it fuels toxic algae blooms and dead zones in our lakes and rivers. Managed grazing and other conservation practices can keep phosphorus in the soil and out of the water.
Use this calculator to see how much phosphorus your land is keeping out of local waterways—and how much that’s worth in avoided cleanup costs.
Reducing Phosphorus...
Migrates The Impact of Natural Disasters
Wisconsin is seeing far more severe weather than ever before. In the 1980s, the state experienced just 5 billion-dollar weather disasters. That number rose to 4 in the 1990s, 13 in the 2000s, and 16 in the 2010s. But between 2019 and 2023 alone, we’ve already seen 21. We’re now averaging as many billion-dollar disasters each year as we once saw in an entire decade.
Farms play a critical role in how the landscape handles heavy rain. Conservation practices like managed grazing help the land soak up water instead of letting it run off. This reduces flooding, limits erosion, and protects downstream communities during extreme weather. Managed grazing doesn’t just build soil health—it helps Wisconsin prepare for a changing climate.
Reducing Phosphorus...
Keeps Water Clean
Phosphorus is an important nutrient for crops—but when it washes off farm fields, it becomes pollution. Too much phosphorus in rivers and lakes fuels the growth of harmful cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae. These blooms can make water unsafe for swimming, kill fish, harm pets and livestock, and even contaminate drinking water.
Conservation practices like managed grazing help keep phosphorus in the soil and out of nearby waterways. By reducing erosion and improving soil structure, these practices slow runoff and protect our streams, lakes, and drinking water.
Reducing Phosphorus...
Saves Taxpayer Dollars
Cleaning up phosphorus pollution is expensive. It costs wastewater treatment plants between $500 and $1,500 per pound to remove phosphorus from drinking water. . Conservation practices like managed grazing can reduce phosphorus runoff for just $30 to $50 per pound. That's is a textbook case of prevention being cheaper than cleanup!
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By supporting farmers in keeping phosphorus out of waterways, we reduce the need for costly infrastructure upgrades and emergency cleanups. It’s a smarter, more affordable way to protect public health and natural resources.
Take Action
Join the movement to to reduce phosphorus pollution and support conservation practices in Wisconsin! Here’s how you can get involved:
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Advocate for Funding:
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Use the Calculator:
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Spread the Word: