The Iowa Learning Farms (ILF) conservation webinar taking place April 19 at noon CDT will feature Matthew Helmers, director of the Iowa Nutrient Research Center, Dean’s Professor, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and Brent and Cindy Hart Professor, Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, at Iowa State University. Helmers conducts research and extension outreach programs concerning nutrient management, cropping practices, drainage design and management, and strategic placement of buffer systems on nutrient export from agricultural landscapes.

In the webinar, “Impacts of Cover Crops on Nitrate-N Loss: Plot to Watershed Scale,” Helmers will overview the current status of cover crop adoption in Iowa, note progress made over the past 10 years and provide updates on water quality investigations on nitrate-N reduction potential of practices studied. He will highlight work on drainage water research and its impacts on water quality from the plot to the watershed scale.

“The data and outcomes of our research at every scale have proven the efficacy of cover crops as an effective practice that directly contributes to reduction of nitrate-N loss from agricultural fields into waterways,” said Helmers. “Acknowledging that in some cases, it may take a longer time to see results than we would prefer, cover crops are one of the more important tools that can protect water quality. To meet nutrient reduction goals, it is crucial to achieve growth in adoption throughout Iowa.”

Participants are encouraged to ask questions of the presenters. People from all backgrounds and areas of interest are encouraged to join.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE:

Shortly before 12 p.m. CDT, click the link below or type this web address into your internet browser: https://iastate.zoom.us/j/364284172

Or, go to https://iastate.zoom.us/join and enter meeting ID: 364 284 172

Up Next: Wednesday, April 26, 2023, “Mapping Evapotranspiration at Field Scale,” with Antonio Arenas, Iowa State University.