News
DES MOINES, Iowa (May 24, 2023) – The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa State University and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the three principals of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy, today jointly announced that the online dashboards that report the results of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy have been updated to reflect the latest reporting period. Today’s announcement coincides with the 10-year anniversary of the Nutrient Reduction Strategy. Adoption of conservation practices continues to increase, and progress is expected to continue to build over the next decade as water quality and conservation practice implementation accelerate.
The Water Security Initiative is a consortium of interdisciplinary researchers at Iowa State University collectively and collaboratively working towards advancing water security and justice throughout the urban-rural continuum. The mission of the initiative is to support world-class research and education in water sustainability that ensures equity for all people and care for natural and managed ecosystems. To promote graduate student research and engagement in this effort, a competitive grants program is open for graduate students at Iowa State University.
By Madeleine Resener, GeoPols
Nitrogen, one of the most plentiful gases in our environment, is both a friend and foe to our planet and to ourselves.
AMES, Iowa–Formally known as Prairie STRIPS (Science-based Trials of Rowcrops Integrated with Prairie Strips,” these narrow bands of 30-120 foot wide prairie are a federally recognized conservation practice that has shown significant benefits for water quality improvement, wildlife conservation, pollinator habitat, and aesthetic beauty.
AMES, Iowa – When can we expect to see reduced levels of nutrients in our water if we make positive changes on the landscape? New Iowa State University research shows how complicated it is to give a sound answer to that question.
The research is featured in a recent article in the peer-reviewed Journal of Environmental Quality, co-authored by Ph.D. student Gerasimos J. Danalatos, Professor Michael Castellano and Associate Professor Sotirios V. Archontoulis, in Iowa State’s Department of Agronomy, and Calvin Wolter, a Geographic Information Systems analyst with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
AMES, Iowa — Drainage experts from around the world will convene in Des Moines, in person, Aug. 31- Sept. 2, to discuss agricultural drainage opportunities and solutions to challenges at the 11th International Drainage Symposium.
INRC Assistant Director Kay Stefanik shares information about the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy (INRS) N-Load model and recent revisions made to to allow for a finer scale in estimating nitrate loss.
A newly published study found that poorly drained agricultural soils emit enough of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide that the resulting climate change effects could far exceed the benefits of using the same soils as a means of sequestering carbon.The research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, was authored by Steven Hall, associate professor of ecology, evolution and organismal biology; Nathaniel Lawrence, ISU graduate student in ecology, evolution and organismal biology; Carlos Tenesaca, research scientist in ecology, evolution and organismal biology; and Andy VanLoocke, associate professor of agronomy. Funders for the work included the Iowa Nutrient Research Center.
Iowa State University scientists, including Raj Raman, agricultural and biosystems engineering, are leading a multi-institutional effort to reimagine cover crops by using perennial groundcovers to protect the environment and benefit crop production. The researchers recently received a $10 million grant to support their work. The Iowa Nutrient Research is proud to have funded some of the preliminary work that set the stage for this exciting project.
The Iowa Water Center and Iowa Nutrient Research Center at Iowa State University will jointly fund research to explore the linkages between water quality and social well-being for Iowa communities. Projects must be led by Iowa State University, the University of Iowa or the University of Northern Iowa. Applicants must submit a proposal intention by Nov. 1, 2021, with full proposals due November 15. Funded projects may start as early as March 2022.
A new user-friendly dashboard for the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy was released Aug. 13, 2021, which uses visual reporting tools, like charts, graphs and maps, to share the data instead of a longer, narrative-based report. The information for the 2020 report update is included within the dashboard. Moving forward, the online dashboards will be updated regularly as data is collected from a variety of sources and partners.
The Conservation Learning Group, a think tank-based organization at Iowa State University Extension and Outreach dedicated to addressing conservation and environmental challenges, has been recognized by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers with a 2021 Educational Aids Blue Ribbon for CLG’s Whole Farm Conservation Best Practices Manual.
Alison Robertson, plant pathology and microbiology, discusses findings from INRC-supported research on potential benefits of spacing cereal rye cover crop plantings from corn crop seedings in “Corn and Soybean Digest.”
The 2020 annual Drainage Research Forum was held December 1, from 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (CDT), via Zoom.
Partners of Scott County Watersheds presented an online Conservation Grant Programs webinar, Nov.
There is a risk of elevated fall soil nitrate levels due to dry conditions this growing season. Dry conditions affect soil N cycling in several ways, resulting in excess residual nitrate in the soil profile after fall harvest and the potential for substantial N leaching with late fall or spring precipitation. An article, "Water Quality Impacts of Cover Crop Following a Drought" shares relevant data from research at two sites, with recommendations for how to minimize the risk of nitrate-N loss when rainfall occurs. Co-authors: Matt Helmers, INRC Director; Brian Dougherty, ISU Agricultural Engineer; Emily Waring, graduate student, agricultural and biosystems engineering. Published by Iowa Extension and Outreach - Integrated Crop Management.
"Farm News" interview with Iowa Nutrient Research Center Assistant Director Kay Stefanik about the importance of wetlands and the roles they play in Iowa's landscape. Article (June 19, 2020) by Kriss Nelson.
Kay Stefanik, Assistant Director, Iowa Nutrient Research Center, discusses the ecological services wetlands provide in the Iowa agricultural landscape, in a blog post for the Iowa Learning Farms/Conservation Learning Group.
Over the past couple of weeks, I have had the opportunity to attend two events that have left a distinct impression—what really struck me is the creativity and passion for conservation and sustaining rural communities.
-- Matt Helmers, Conservation Learning Group blog post, March 12, 2020.
INRC Director Matt Helmers was among the expert panelists discussing water quality and implementation of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy with farmers at the Farm Bureau's annual meeting in Des Moines. Article by Rod Swoboda in Wallace's Farmer, Dec. 13, 2019.
As the percentage of rented farmland in Iowa continues to grow, farmers see a steady shift in who is responsible for what happens on the land.
USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA), Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) have announced new policies within crop insurance that will provide added flexibility for managing cover crops, beginning with the 2020 crop year.
The national The Municipal magazine (June 2019) highlights Iowa's efforts to reduce nutrient pollution, with interviews of Dan McIntosh, Southern Iowa Rural Water Association general manager, and Matt Helmers, Iowa Nutrient
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