Business : Benton/Tama Nutrient Reduction Demonstration Project to hold field day August 2

The Benton/Tama Nutrient Reduction Demonstration Project will host a field day at Rodgers Park, just north of Vinton, on August 25, 2015. The focus of the field day is how to pick cover crops that best fit various farming operations. The event will start indoors, at Benton County Conservation/Nature Center, 5718 20th Ave Dr, Vinton, IA 52349. Registration will begin at 8:30 am, with speakers starting at 9.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey, experienced cover crop user Steve Berger from Wellman, IA, and Practical Farmers of Iowa member Jack Boyer from Reinbeck, IA will all present information about cover crop use in Iowa. There’s also an outdoor session scheduled, with various cover crop plots, and there will be an NRCS rainfall simulator demonstration.

The Benton/Tama Nutrient Reduction Demonstration Project is a 3-year Water Quality Initiative demonstration project that runs from January 1, 2014-December 31, 2016. This project is an effort to educate farmers about the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy, and to assist them in putting conservation practices on their fields. The territory of the project spans three watersheds that flow into the Cedar River: lower Wolf Creek, Rock Creek, and Pratt Creek. This project works with landowners to demonstrate the benefits of nutrient reduction practices on acres planted in seed corn and other crops, through the use of conservation practices, field trials, demonstrations, and education. Targeted conservation practices include cover crops, buffers, reduced tillage, reduced nitrogen and phosphorus application, and bioreactors. These practices – particularly when used as a system – will reduce nitrogen and phosphorus content in both groundwater as well as surface water.

Research has shown that implementing cover crops on a field reduces nitrates leaving the field by 30% or more. With added soil health benefits, cover crops can be a very cost-effective solution for many fields & farming operations.

Questions & Comments can be directed to Project Coordinator Shannon Mitchell at shannon.mitchell@ia.nacdnet.net, or 319-472-2161.

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