By Julie Winter
Iowa Learning Farms will host a webinar about the latest research, installation standards and best management practices for saturated buffers on Wednesday, April 18 at 12 p.m.
Saturated buffers are the newest edge-of-field practice for removing nitrate from tile-drained fields. Dan Jaynes, research soil scientist with the National Laboratory for Agriculture and the Environment (USDA-ARS), will share the latest research and installation standards for saturated buffers. The presentation will provide a brief overview of the practice, share research results from several saturated buffers and cover some of the recent changes in the practice standard.
“Saturated buffers are an inexpensive and effective practice for removing nitrate from tile drainage when properly located and designed,” said Jaynes. Jaynes has spent the past 20 years researching both in-field and edge-of-field practices for reducing the loss of nitrate from tile drained corn fields while maintaining yields and soil health.