News

Iowa water quality projects receive grants

Four Iowa water quality projects have been selected to receive funding through the state’s water quality initiative.

One of those projects will look the value of incorporating cover crops into row crop production in operations with ruminant livestock.  It will be led by Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI).

“We have six livestock farmers recruited from the North Raccoon and Floyd Watersheds who are going to do a three-year on-farm research trial,” says Sally Worley, PFI operations director. “They are going to look at the economics of incorporating cover crops with their grazing livestock.”

Worley says cover crops have a significant impact on reducing both nitrogen and phosphorus losses while also providing a high-quality, low-cost livestock feed.

Other grant-funded projects will focus on advancing nutrient reduction in the Rock Creek Watershed, led by the Iowa Soybean Association; driving cover crop adoption through education and technical assistance, led by the Conservation Technology Information Center; and optimizing water quality wetlands integrated with in-field nutrient management practices, led by the Soil and Water Conservation Society.

In addition to receiving more than three million dollars in state funds, the four projects will provide an additional 2.6 million dollars in matching funds to support water quality improvement efforts.

AUDIO: Sally Worley of PFI

Link to news release on IDALS web site

Photo courtesy plantcovercrops.com