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Pace of conservation efforts in question

December 13, 2019

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. 

 

New dashboard tracks Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy

August 19, 2021

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.

Researchers show weather variability impedes ability to assess trends in Iowa’s water quality

August 17, 2022

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.

Updated Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy Dashboards Indicate Measurable Water Quality Progress

May 24, 2023

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.

Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy and Your Farm Workshops

December 1, 2023

 A new educational opportunity, the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy and Your Farm Workshop, is available to interested local Iowa State University Extension and Outreach staff or other farm and community leaders. The new workshop is available to provide farmers, landowners and conservation professionals with information on the purpose, need, action items, and benefits of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy and provide tools to create a basic nutrient reduction plan for their farm operation.

A digital toolkit of related resources to use individually or in association with the workshop is also available. Follow this link to access the digital toolkit with presentation slides, handouts, advertising materials, and evaluation materials. 

The materials are based on a half-day workshop conducted in 2023. They utilize modeling tools like the Nitrogen Load Estimate Calculator and Nutrient Tracking Tool to provide tailored estimates of nutrient losses from row crop acres under current operating conditions and after  incorporation of nutrient management practices.

To inquire about planning a workshop in your area -- or for other questions -- contact Kay Stefanik, assistant director of the Iowa Nutrient Research Center.