Benton/Tama Nutrient Reduction Demonstration Project
2013-Present
project partners
Benton County Soil & Water Conservation District
Tama County Soil & Water Conservation District
DuPont Pioneer
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
Benton County Extension Service
Iowa Soybean Association
Practical Farmers of Iowa
Iowa Learning Farms
The Nature Conservancy
Iowa Farm Bureau
USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service
About
Grant award
$1,119,792
Total project
$2,123,717
Description
The project is located within the watersheds of Rock Creek, Pratt Creek and Lower Wolf Creek, which are in Benton County and Tama County. The primary objective is to demonstrate nutrient reduction practices, as identified in the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy, on cropland acres devoted to seed corn production. Seed corn production traditionally leaves lower residue and crop fields are left unprotected for longer periods during the year compared to corn grown for grain. This makes these areas vulnerable to loss of nutrients. The public has the perception that conservation and seed corn production are incompatible. This project will use conservation practices, field trials, demonstrations, and education to prove the seed corn industry can and will support conservation.
Goals
This project plans to treat 3,000 acres in seed corn production with, or in combination with, practices like cover crops, nitrogen inhibitors, no till/strip till, and improved nutrient applications. It is anticipated that through education and out reach, these practices will be accepted and adopted by farmers not only in seed corn production, but also in traditional row-crop production as well.
Funding
Financial assistance will be provided at a rate of 50% of the actual expenditure or at the scheduled practice rate. EQIP, IFIP, and other funding will be prioritized for this project
Conservation practices
