Floyd River water quality field day set for July 18 in Sioux County

Northwest Iowa pork producers interested in learning more about the Clean Water Iowa program and the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy are encouraged to attend a special field day event this Friday, July 18, near Maurice in Sioux County.

The event will be held at the Farmers Coop Society demonstration plot and will showcase the different ways that farming practices can be advanced economically and agronomically, while preparing for the future of agriculture.

The plot was intentionally set-up within the western branch of the Floyd River Watershed, which has been targeted for testing and education to advance the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. It is part of the Clean Water Iowa program and was selected in partnership with the NRCS, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa State University Extension, Dordt College, Dow and Farm Bureau.

The field day will feature several live equipment demonstrations, eight interactive learning sessions on the latest technology and practices presented by various ag experts and a keynote address by Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey.

The live equipment demos may include:

• 3 different types of anhydrous application equipment, including standard and reduced disturbance
• 3 different types of manure application equipment, including standard and reduced disturbance
• Strip till
• No-till planting
• RTK land leveling
• Turbo till
• Hagie Y-Drop

You also can attend any four of these eight breakout learning sessions:

• Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Potential for Nitrogen Management: Exciting new technology to help improve in-season nitrogen management. Presented by the Northwest Iowa Experimental Association in conjunction with Dordt College
• Cover Crop Use and Establishment: Discussion of various cover crop options, how to establish and manage, and the overall value of cover crops. Presented by LaCrosse Forage and FCS
• The Value of Waterways: The economics of a waterway and planning, establishing and maintaining a waterway. Presented by IDALS, NRCS and ISU Extension
• Tools for More Effective Nutrient Applications: New and old product choices, application methods, along with incorporating technology to enhance fertilizer and manure applications. Presented by FCS
• Overcoming Weed Control Issues in Reduced or No-Till Situations: Management tips and techniques on effective reduced tillage weed control. Presented by FCS
• Farmer Perspectives: A panel of farmers will explain how they have implemented changes in their operations for improved yields and return on investment.
• Nitrogen Rate Recommendation, Timing and Application Options: New tools such as Climate PRO, Adapt N, N-Dex, Satellite Imagery, OptRx Sensors and others. Presented by FCS
• The Real Cost of Soil Erosion: Exploring how soil loss can have both short- and long-term impact on a field. Presented by ISU Extension

The Iowa Pork Producers Association supports the Clean Water Iowa program and the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy and is a partner in the Floyd River Watershed project. IPPA contributed Checkoff funds toward the demonstration project.

The field day will begin with registration at 8:30 a.m. and the live demonstrations will start promptly at 9:02 a.m. The demonstration plot is 1 ¾ miles east of Maurice on the 470th Street blacktop.

Source: Iowa Pork Producers Association