Soil Conservation Resources
Featured
With Curt Meine
Though the back roads of Iowa on a clear July morning may reflect the beauty of a Grant Wood painting, the underlying canvas for some who methodically farm those acres of corn and soybean reveals something much less placid—boredom brought on by structural strain. A venturous group of Iowa farmers, however, has found that boredom can also be the brushstroke that inspires innovation.
Managing Manure Transport with Prairie Strips
Recent science suggests yet another benefit of prairie strips: manure management to prevent the spread of antimicrobial resistance.
A study looking at the impact of winter cereal rye on crop yield and soil 12 Iowa farms from 2008-2019.
Anaerobic Digesters for Renewable Natural Gas
One way farmers can participate in the shift towards more renewable energy is by building an anaerobic digester on their farm or supplying feedstock for a nearby digester.
What is redefining the field edge?
A land-use-change concept that alters a field’s cropping boundaries, converting some parts of the field to perennial prairie vegetation.
This publication provides best management recommendations for farmers and landowners getting started with conservation and water quality practices by helping select and incorporate in-field and edge-of-field conservation practices most appropriate to the decision maker's land and preferences.
In this infographic, learn strip tillage basics including equipment needs, timing, fertilizer application and the advantages compared with traditional approaches.
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.
A study estimating the value of retained nutrients and land value from the use of cover crops.