Nearly 75% of Iowa’s landscape is farmland. Land management and conservation practices utilized by farmers and landowners play a key role in improving water quality by reducing loss of nutrients to waterways.
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Not all algae are harmful, but the most common harmful algal blooms in Iowa are comprised of blue-green algae—also known as cyanobacteria. Learn more in this infographic.
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The Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy is focused on reducing nitrogen and phosphorus in Iowa waters. Farmers, landowners, municipalities, agencies, conservation organizations and everyday Iowans are collaborating to make changes to help meet nutrient reduction goals. This publication addresses some frequently asked questions regarding the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy.
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Nutrient pollution threatens our drinking water supply, diminishes water quality in lakes and streams, increases algal blooms that can cause beach advisories, decreases housing values, and diminishes enjoyment for residents and visitors. Learn more about the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy efforts to improve water quality in Iowa.
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Assessing your watershed community's strengths and weaknesses is an important first step in planning and implementing an effective watershed improvement project. Without citizen "buy-in" to your watershed plan, it doesn't matter how much funding or technical support you may have, your project will not be successful. The toolkit can be downloaded by section in order to personalize your watershed's plan.
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Discussing a new conservation practice with your landlord can be challenging. To help begin the conversation, we created a new publication series with talking points and relevant research findings about specific conservation practices.
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What is anaerobic digestion and how could it potentially work on your farm? Check out a new infographic for more information.
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Check out our new infographic designed to help guide success in the first years of perennial vegetation establishment.
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In this infographic, learn strip tillage basics including equipment needs, timing, fertilizer application and the advantages compared with traditional approaches.
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Iowa’s fertile soil has helped the state become a global agricultural leader. However, that same soil and the fertilizers used to boost crop production contribute to water quality challenges when nitrogen and phosphorus leave through drainage, runoff and erosion. The Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy set statewide goals for reducing nutrient losses through a variety of practices.
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This study was conducted at six ISU research farms and the project compared three treatments: single species, mixture, and no cover crop.
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The project compared three different seeding techniques: above and below crop canopy using a high clearance interseeder and drilling after harvest.
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A quick-read of cover crop terms and their meanings.
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An "infographic" for a quick overview of cover crops in Iowa.
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A study estimating the value of retained nutrients and land value from the use of cover crops.
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A case study using rainfall simulation to estimate soil erosion and water infiltration rates in a corn silage/soybean rotation when a cereal rye cover crop is added compared to no cover crop.
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Downloadable recipes for going from soybeans to corn, and from corn to soybeans using cover crops.
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