Articles Tagged: Cover crops

While Iowa’s problems are uniquely severe, nitrate levels are a rising concern in other regions, from California to the Chesapeake Bay.

Iowa’s data for the Midwest Cover Crops Council cover crop decision tool, which was last revised in 2019, was updated to include 13 new cover crop species, more recent seeding dates that are accurate to county-level climate data and reviewed ratings of species for the area.

The Gazette will host a series of free, virtual talks about the future of agriculture this week, including advances in drone technology and crop genetics, such as short-statured corn.

Also in the Capitol Notebook: Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds leads trade mission to India

Bill would increase funding for conservation, but lacks climate-oriented IRA funding

The two-pronged plan details how Iowa hopes to reduce its nutrient pollution from agriculture and industry.

The Gazette dove into ISU data to investigate how to-date conservation practices and facility upgrades have impacted Iowa’s nitrogen and phosphorous pollution

“These are farmers and landowners who want to do conservation on their farm. They want to do something we all seem to support — which is conserving natural resources,” said Jonathan Coppess, an associate professor and director of the Gardner Agriculture Policy Program at the University of Illinois.

Many farmers worry the practice will hurt their bottom line — and a study last year indicates they could be right.

Crop yields will likely take a hit, although impacts will be variable field to field.

Practical Farmers has a few billboards in Iowa, but most are white and have a simple message about the organization. But the Land Stewardship Project, based in Minneapolis, wanted to use Practical Farmers’ “Don’t Farm Naked” slogan on billboards in southern Minnesota.

A recent report highlights low EQIP and CSP acceptance rates across the country, although Iowa officials say the state is in better shape than depicted.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture spent $7.4 billion in payments to farmers between 2017 and 2020 through two of its biggest conservation programs, but very little of that money went to practices that help fight climate change, according to a report from the Environmental Working Group.