A farmer's point of view on water quality

We all want clean water in Iowa. Farmers want clean water and our city friends want clean water. The farmer takes their product to market and asks what will you give me? A farmer can't raise the prices of their product to pay for conservation practices. Currently row crops in Iowa are selling at break even prices.

I agree water pollution from row crops needs to be reduced. Voluntary conservation methods have come up short. Asking a farmer to voluntarily reduce fertilizer applied will not work. Increased fertilizer per acre means increased yields up to a certain point. More yield equals more income. Conservation methods must be cooperative effort between government and farmers.

There has been university research on different conservation methods. Research has been done on bio reactors, cover crops, buffer strips, conservation reserve, wetlands, terraces, no-till, fertilizer application methods and soil testing. We need to identify the most cost effective methods to reduce water pollution.

How will these methods be paid for? I have to emphasize the farmer's can't raise their prices. I am open to suggestions on how to pay for conservation methods. Suggestions have been a 1% sales tax on all goods. The consumer will benefit from this tax by having cleaner water. A fertilizer and chemical tax has been suggested. Most people don't want to pay more taxes. Most people want less pollution. There are no easy answers to this issue!

David Hodgden

Oxford