Nitrate runoff from agricultural practices such as spreading wastewater and confined animal feeding operations, has reached center stage in Idaho. The state has identified 25 priority areas for the research and control of groundwater contamination that threatens communities and other agriculture operations. However, removing nitrates is difficult, leaving the only viable option to reduce activities that contribute to the problem, potentially affecting industry and employment.

However, "one pivot of spuds puts on more nitrogen than 13,500 cows," says Mike Vierstra, a dairyman quick to include potato production as the source, now cows. He brings up an interesting hook that it is the intense agriculture, whether confined animal operations or industrial potato production, that is creating the problem.