4R Plus practices improve soil health and water quality, says Shawn Richmond, director of environmental technology, Agribusiness Association of Iowa. Learn why he says it’s important for all farmers to understand the goals set out by the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy.
Shawn Richmond, director of environmental technology, Agribusiness Association of Iowa, encourages farmers to talk with their trusted crop adviser about setting reasonable goals and determining the 4R Plus practices that help improve the soil.
Emily Doyle, a precision ag specialist and farmer from Tama County, Iowa, says using the 4Rs of nutrient stewardship – right place, right source, right rate, right time and right place – allows farmers to keep nutrients in the root zone and available when the crop needs it the most during the growing season.
Fayette County, Iowa, farmer Tim Recker says after years of tillage the organic matter in the soil was declining. He switched to no-till and added cover crops and benefits from higher productive soils.
Bioreactors and saturated buffers provide farmers with another option to help meet the goals of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy, says Shawn Richmond, director of environmental technology, Agribusiness Association of Iowa.
Fayette County, Iowa, farmer Tim Recker is experiencing multiple crop and soil health benefits since changing his tillage system. He says the less disruption to the soil, the better.
Wetlands are an edge-of-field practice that help to dramatically reduce the amount of nitrates going into surface waters downstream. Shawn Richmond, director of environmental technology, Agribusiness Association of Iowa, explains how this practice is used on the landscape.
Fayette County, Iowa, farmer Tim Recker sees multiple benefits using cover crops. Watch the video to learn about the benefits he sees as well as some tips to get started.
Precision Ag Specialist, Emily Doyle, says soil fertility testing is the foundation for a farm’s prescribed 4R nutrient stewardship program. Watch the video to find out why she encourages farmers to test soil.
4R Plus involves using precise 4R nutrient management along with conservation practices to achieve a more productive crop now and in the future. Find out why farmers say 4R Plus practices make economic sense.
4R Plus is being guided by a coalition of agricultural and conservation organizations to support farmers’ efforts to implement precise nutrient management and conservation practices.
The 4Rs of nutrient stewardship – right source, right rate, right time and right place – are important in order to optimize yield potential while minimizing nutrient losses from fields. Learn about each of the 4Rs and why it’s important to have a nutrient plan.
There are 4R Plus practices that can be implemented on virtually any farm regardless of topography. Learn about the agronomic, conservation and land management practices that can work in every region of the state.
Learn about the practices that can be used on sloping landscapes that are not tile drained. These practices reduce soil erosion and therefore, particulate phosphorus losses from fields.
Learn about edge-of-field practices best suited for flatter and tile-drained landscapes that direct tile water into treatment areas to remove nitrates and sediment.
Watch this video to learn more about the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy and practices you can implement on your farm to help meet the goals for this important initiative to improve our water and soil.