Private wells in Minnesota are facing nitrate contamination that must be addressed. Iowa is no stranger to these water quality issues
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Private wells in Minnesota are facing nitrate contamination that must be addressed. Iowa is no stranger to these water quality issues
Here’s what that means for Iowa farmers
The report brings to 14 confirmations spread across 10 Iowa counties since outbreaks started appearing in the state in October after a seven-month break,
“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.
13 poultry operations in the period affected as birds euthanized.
Iowa has more than tripled the number of acres of corn left standing to protect roadways from blowing snow since 2016, but the Iowa Department of Transportation is looking for more farmers to boost the program.
Confirmations bring to 11 reports in eight counties of bird flu since October.
Statewide average precipitation was 3.12 inches in October, but state is still 7 inches short of moisture this year.
At least 160,000 birds have been euthanized in the nine incidents confirmed in the state since October.
The latest four are three game ducks farms — one also including a mixed-species backyard poultry flock — in Clay County, and a flock of commercial breeding chickens in Hamilton County.
Many farmers worry the practice will hurt their bottom line — and a study last year indicates they could be right.
Iowa Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson said she remains hopeful Congress will pass new legislation yet this year reauthorizing federal spending for programs supporting U.S. farmers and ranchers, including commodity support and conservation programs and crop insurance.
Iowa ranks No. 4 in the United States for its crop insurance payouts due to drought and excess moisture.
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