Strip tills

Farmer Reaps Benefits from Using 4R Plus Practices

Darin Stolte of Jones County, Iowa, saw his yield curve accelerate after strip-till and cover crops were added to his precise 4R nutrient plan.

Iowa Farmers in Field

Rate of 4R Plus Practice Adoption Continues to Rise

The Iowa Farm & Rural Life Poll: 2018 Summary Report demonstrates the percentage of Iowa’s farmers who are adopting 4R Plus practices continues to rise.

Heckman Family

4R Plus Practices Make ‘Dollars and Sense’ to Southeastern Iowa Family

The Heckman family in Muscatine County pushes the pencil to see what practices garner a return on their investment, and puts them through a litmus test to determine if the practices are sustainable.

Iowa farm sunrise

Central Iowa Family Encourages Farmers to Add 4R Plus Practices

While Julie Kenney uses her role as Iowa Deputy of Secretary of Agriculture to encourage farmers to use 4R Plus practices, her husband Mark implements the practices on their farm.

Sunset on Iowa farm with calves

Integrating Crop and Livestock Systems with Cover Crops

The gentle rolling hills of Dubuque County are where Tim Daly focuses on finding solutions to integrate his crop and livestock systems, improve the soil and achieve top-end yields.

Doug Adams

Soil Structure Put to the Test During a Challenging Harvest

Saturated fields have slowed this year’s harvest in Iowa. Soil conservation experts urge farmers to take a close look at tillage practices, which can make a difference in a year like this one.

Lost top soil on Iowa farm

Is Your Soil Prepared for the Future?

Rick Cruse, Ph.D., agronomy professor at Iowa State University and director of the Iowa Water Center, wants farmers to think about what the soil on their farms will look like in 20, 50 or even 100 years.

Tim Smith

Cost Share Opportunities Designed to Help Farmers with Conservation Practices

Learn how farmers are working with state agencies through cost share programs to improve soil health and water quality.