JUNE 2018 STEWARDSHIP ADVOCATE UPDATE

MONTHLY UPDATE FROM BEN GLEASON, IOWA CORN SUSTAINABLE PROGRAMS MANAGER

This June marked the 10^th anniversary of Cedar Rapids' devastating floods that garnered national news coverage. Click here to see how Iowa’s flood response has changed. Many parts of Iowa have recently experienced flooding, especially northwest Iowa, where a train carrying crude oil derailed and spilled thousands of gallons of oil. Saturated soils are common across Iowa, which creates challenges for crop growth and retention of inputs. 

If you have areas that frequently flood or pond, you may consider removing them from row crop production. One option is to restore the area to wetlands by selling wetland mitigation credits to the Iowa Agricultural Mitigation, Inc. to pay for restoration. Conversely, if you are doing tile work and need to mitigate the loss of wetlands, you can buy wetland mitigation credits from Iowa Agricultural Mitigation. Click here for what to do before improving drainage in wet fields.

Another option for wet fields is to enroll in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Sign up is currently open for some limited CRP practices including waterways, buffer strips and wetlands. Visit your FSA office soon, as sign up is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Click here for more information.

Finally, I want to remind you that cost share is currently available from Iowa’s Water Quality Initiative for cover crops, no till, strip till and nitrification inhibitors when applying fall fertilizer. Sign up is generally on a first-come, first-serve basis, so visit your local Soil and Water Conservation District right away. Click here for more information.

FARMER TO FARMER:

WHY DO YOU EMBRACE CONSERVATION PRACTICES?

Rob Stout of Washington County says he wants to do his part and encourage others to embrace conservation practices.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

• JunE 28: Southeast Research Farm Field Day, Crawfordsville

• JulY 10: Nitrogen Workshop, Crawfordsville

• JulY 11-12: ICGA RoundtablES

• JulY 11: Field Diagnostic Clinic, Boone

• JulY 11: Northwest Research Farm Field Day, Sutherland

• JulY 12: Crop Management Clinic, Boone

• July 12: Grazing Workshop, Chariton

• JulY 13: Weed Management Field Day, Logan

• JulY 13: Monarch Field Day, Boone

• JulY 17: Cover Crop Field Day, Dayton

• JulY 17: Bioreactor Field Day, Boone

• JulY 18: Clear Creek Watershed Meeting, Coralville

• JulY 25: Agronomy Workshop, Rembrandt

• JulY 26-27: National Strip-Tillage Conference, Iowa City

• Aug. 24-25: ICGA Grassroots Summit, Des Moines

LATEST INFORMATION:

• Iowa Policy Project Report Calls for Mandatory Buffers 

• Scientists Confirm First Case of Waterhemp With Six-Way Resistance 

• Pilot Project to Help Improve Soil, Water Quality 

• Tips to Keep Waterways Working 

• EPA and Army Take Next Step in Joint Efforts to Redefine “Waters of the United States” 

• Farmer Gains Skills in Strip Till Transition  

• Introducing Conservation Station On the Edge  

• More Monarch 'Fueling Stations' Established in Iowa  

• Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy Celebrates Five Years 

• Farmers, City Partner to Improve Water