Content Title | Subject | Url | Social Content |
Dedication to Protecting the Soil Gets Noticed | Landowner/Tenant relationship | https://www.4rplus.org/2019/08/21/dedication-protecting-soil-gets-noticed/ | “I have found my niche as a farmer in the area that will do what is right for the land,” said Grundy County, Iowa, #farmer Eric Andersen. He works with 8 different #landowners who value his philosophy of using #4RPlus practices.
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Summer 2019: Conservation Practices Helped Maximize a Wet Planting Season | Mark Heckman summer story | https://4rplus.org/2019/07/26/summer-2019-conservation-practices-helped-maximize-wet-planting-season/ | “In years like this we’re reminded that #4RPlus practices go hand in hand with sustainable production of crops.” – Muscatine County, Iowa, farmer Mark Heckman. Learn about the economic benefits Heckman Farms reaps using 4R Plus practices. |
Summer 2019: Improving Soil Structure Allowed for Timely Planting | Roger Zylstra summer story | https://4rplus.org/2019/07/23/summer-2019-improving-soil-structure-allowed-timely-planting/ | “The #4RPlus practices I use, like #notill & #covercrops, allowed me to push the front end of the planting window.” – Jasper County, Iowa, farmer Roger Zylstra. Find out what he has learned about #soilhealth on his farm through the years. |
Summer 2019: 4R Plus Practices Have Cumulative Effect | Curt Mether summer story | https://4rplus.org/2019/07/23/summer-2019-4r-plus-practices-cumulative-effect/ | The #conservation practices we have in place on our #farm helped us get the crop in this spring. I’m grateful for a system that preserves the #soil,” – Western Iowa farmer Curt Mether. Learn how crops are progressing on his farm. #4RPlus |
Summer 2019: Cover Crops Provide Multiple Benefits to Northern Iowa Farmer | Doug Adams summer story | https://4rplus.org/2019/07/23/summer-2019-cover-crops-provide-multiple-benefits-northern-iowa-farmer/ | “It’s possible I’ve been using #notill & #striptill along with #covercrops long enough to see the payback.” – Humboldt County, Iowa farmer Doug Adams. Learn about the #soilhealth benefits he sees through the growing season from using #4RPlus practices. |
Prevented Plant Provides Opportunity to Experiment with Cover Crops | Seasonal farmers answer Prevent Plant question | https://4rplus.org/2019/07/01/prevented-plant-provides-opportunity-experiment-cover-crops/ | Humboldt County, Iowa’s Doug Adams encourages farmers to consider their crop rotation plans for 2020 when selecting a #covercrop. Get more tips from #4RPlus farmers. |
Farmer Reaps Benefits from Using 4R Plus Practices | 4R Plus approach | https://www.4rplus.org/2019/07/23/farmer-reaps-benefits-using-4r-plus-practices/ | “I attribute my accelerating yield curve to the #4RPlus plan I continue to modify each year.” – #4R Grower Advocate winner Darin Stolte, Jones County, Iowa. Learn about the #conservation & nutrient stewardship practices he uses & the benefits seen. |
Sharing Information Can Bridge the Divide with Landowners | Landowner/Tenant | https://www.4rplus.org/2019/06/20/sharing-information-can-bridge-divide-landowners/ | Dr. Wendong Zhang encourages tenants and landowners to communicate with each other and share what’s happening on the farm. |
Rate of 4R Plus Practice Adoption Continues to Rise | Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll | http://4rplus.org/2019/05/30/rate-4r-plus-practice-adoption-continues-rise/ | The Iowa Farm & Rural life Poll: 2018 Summary Report conducted by @ISUExtension demonstrates the percentage of #farmers who are adopting #4RPlus practices continues to rise. This shows progress toward reaching Iowa’s clean water goals. |
Spring 2019: Using Conservation Practices to Manage a Tough Spring | Spring planting/Curt Mether | https://4rplus.org/2019/04/29/spring-2019-using-conservation-practices-manage-tough-spring/ | Western Iowa #farmer Curt Mether is managing tough spring weather conditions with #4RPlus practices. Learn how he manages the soil on the steep Loess Hills. |
Spring 2019: No-Till Improves Planting Conditions | Spring planting/Roger Zylstra | https://4rplus.org/2019/04/29/spring-2019-no-till-improves-planting-conditions/ | Spring is an exercise in patience Jasper County, Iowa’s @Mr_Zylstra has practiced for many years. He uses #4RPlus practices to improve #soilhealth and support machinery. Learn about the practices he uses in the spring. #4RPlus |
Spring 2019: Waiting for ‘Just Right’ Soil Conditions | Spring planting/Mark Heckman | https://4rplus.org/2019/04/29/spring-2019-waiting-just-right-soil-conditions/ | For the 2019 growing season, southeast Iowa #farmer @wlheckman_mark is applying nutrients based on soil samples and yield goals. It’s important to Heckman to maintain high yields with fewer inputs to save money. #4RPlus |
Spring 2019: No-Till and Strip-Till System has Benefits During Planting Season | Spring planting/Doug Adams | https://4rplus.org/2019/04/29/no-strip-till-farmer-sees-benefits-planting-season/ | “In my experience, switching to #notill & #striptill doesn’t result in a drop in yield & you see #soilhealth & water quality benefits quickly.” – Humboldt County, Iowa, #farmer @FarmerDoug93. Learn what’s happening on his farm this spring. #4RPlus #plant19 |
Focusing on Soil Health and Utilizing Input Investments | Doug Adams Bio | https://4rplus.org/farmer-adams/ | “#Soilhealth is sparking new interest in how farmers look at managing farms. It’s exciting to learn new things; it keeps me engaged in what I’m doing.” – Humboldt County, Iowa, farmer @FarmerDoug93. Learn about the #4RPlus practices he uses & the benefits. |
Passing on a Conservation Legacy | Roger Zylstra bio | https://4rplus.org/farmer-zylstra/ | “I want to be known as a responsible farmer that isn’t afraid to find creative solutions.” – @Mr_Zylstra, Jasper County, Iowa, farmer. Learn about this 2nd-generation farmer who uses a variety of #4RPlus practices and reaps multiple benefits. |
Doing Things Differently to Preserve Topsoil | Curt Mether bio | https://4rplus.org/farmer-mether/ | “In the Loess Hills, topsoil is valuable. It’s important to be open to doing things differently.” – Curt Mether, Monona County, Iowa. Learn about this 3rd-generation farmer who uses a variety of #4RPlus practices to build #soilhealth. |
Adding Practices and Maintaining Top-End Yields | Mark Heckman bio | https://4rplus.org/farmer-heckman/ | “Our family is committed to being good stewards to the land. We look for ways to farm smarter by using #4RPlus practices.” – @wlheckman_mark, Muscatine County, Iowa. Learn why he uses a variety of #conservation and nutrient practices to improve the farm. |
4R Plus Practices Make ‘Dollars and Sense’ to Southeastern Iowa Family | Economics of 4R Plus Practices | https://4rplus.org/2019/04/18/4r-plus-practices-make-dollars-sense-southeastern-iowa-family/ | “In years like this we’re reminded that #4RPlus practices go hand in hand with sustainable production of crops, which is important to our family,” says Muscatine County, Iowa, farmer @wlheckman_mark. Learn about the #conservation and nutrient practices he uses and the benefits. |
Seasonal Crop Reports homepage | Links to four farmer bios | https://4rplus.org/regional-crop-reports/ | A variety of #4RPlus practices are used on Iowa’s landscape. Learn about the practices 4 #farmers from different regions utilize, along with the benefits. Each has a different story, but a shared goal – improve #soilhealth and water quality. |
Edge-of-Field Practices Enhance Water Quality | Keegan Kult, ADMC and farmer Lee Tesdell | https://4rplus.org/2019/03/22/edge-field-practices-enhance-water-quality/ | Edge-of-field practices provide farmers with immediate gratification because the water-quality benefits are quickly measurable. Learn about these #4RPlus practices. |
Central Iowa Family Encourages Farmers to Add 4R Plus Practices | Mark and Julie Kenney discuss 4R Plus practices | https://4rplus.org/2019/02/18/central-iowa-family-encourages-farmers-add-4r-plus-practices/ | “There are numerous practices farmers can use within fields, as well as edge-of-field practices, to make sure the soil and water is protected now and in the future,” says @JulieKenneyIA. Learn why #4RPlus practices are the right thing for farms. |
Integrating Crop and Livestock Systems with Cover Crops | Economics of cover crops with livestock | https://4rplus.org/2018/12/17/integrating-crop-livestock-systems-cover-crops/ | Tim Daly of Dubuque County, Iowa, prefers a mix of oats, rye and radishes for his #covercrop seed mix, as he uses it to graze his #cattle and improve #soilhealth. Learn about the other benefits Daly has observed by adding #4RPlus practices to his farm. |
Conservation Mapping Project Verifies Iowa’s Proven Track Record | Iowa DNR’s Adam Schnieders discusses mapping project | https://4rplus.org/2018/11/22/conservation-mapping-project-verifies-iowas-proven-track-record/ | Iowa’s innovative mapping of #conservation practices demonstrates farmers have a history of making positive changes. Learn how this project provides a benchmark for measuring progress in the future. #4RPlus |
Soil Structure Put to the Test During Challenging Harvest | Doug Adams discusses benefits of no-till and cover crops | https://4rplus.org/2018/10/24/soil-structure-put-test-challenging-harvest/ | By changing tillage practices, @farmerdoug93 changed the structure of his soil. He encourages farmers to take a look at their fields to see where the greatest erosion & compaction is occurring & choose #4RPlus practices that will make a difference. |
Is Your Soil Prepared for the Future? | Rick Cruse of ISU’s Iowa Water Center discusses soil loss | https://4rplus.org/2018/09/25/soil-prepared-future/ | Dr. Rick Cruse with the @IowaWaterCenter says soil erosion is occurring 10X faster than it’s being renewed in Iowa. Learn more about erosion and the importance of using #4RPlus practices to protect our valuable soil. |
Cost Share Opportunities Designed to Help Farmers with Conservation Practices | Matt Lechtenberg, IDALS, discusses cost share. Farmer Tim Smith shares his insights. | https://4rplus.org/2018/08/24/cost-share-opportunities-designed-help-farmers-conservation-practices/ | Learn how farmers are working with state agencies through cost share programs to improve #soilhealth and water quality. Wright County, Iowa, farmer Tim Smith shares his experiences. #4RPlus |
What You Need to Know About Implementing a Cover Crops Strategy | Wayne Fredericks discusses benefits of cover crops | https://4rplus.org/2018/07/26/need-know-implementing-cover-crops-strategy/ | #Notill and #striptill can improve success with #covercrops. Mitchell County, Iowa, farmer @wrfredericks encourages farmers to learn something new and have the patience to make it work. Learn more about these #4RPlus practices. |