Findings and Recommendations for Corn Belt Farmers
During a meeting/webinar on February 11, we shared some of the results of our five-year, USDA-NIFA research project, focused on farm management practices and their potential for making corn-based agriculture more resilient. Many of the practices were found to provide resiliency in times of drought, reduce soil and nutrient losses under saturated soil conditions, decrease farm field nitrogen losses, retain carbon in the soil, and ensure crop and soil productivity.
This webinar can now be viewed on our YouTube Channel: Findings and Recommendations for Corn Belt farmers and farm advisers.
SPEAKERS and TOPICS
Speakers and topics include:
Eileen Klavidko, Purdue University – cover crops
Rick Cruse, Iowa State University (ISU)– tillage management
Jeff Strock, University of Minnesota – drainage water management
Joe Lauer, University of Wisconsin – extended crop rotations
J. Arbuckle and Jamie Benning, ISU – farmer adaptation and conservation practice adoption
MORE DETAILS
Cover Crops
Eileen Kladivko, Purdue University, will review the results of a project evaluating cereal rye cover crops in a corn-soybean rotation. Cover crops can be beneficial for soil and water quality improvement, erosion control, and fertility management, but also pose challenges and require greater management. Regional results of cover crop growth, soil nitrate uptake, and crop yields will be discussed. This session will be of interest to farm owners and operators, agricultural advisors, other agricultural stakeholders, and agency personnel.
No, till: Is it for everyone?
Rick Cruse, Iowa State University, will explain a project that has been undertaken to evaluate the impact different tillage systems have on greenhouse gas emissions. Conservation tillage and no-till systems can reduce soil erosion, improve soil quality, increase microbial diversity, and improve water infiltration and storage in the soil. There can also be drawbacks such as poor crop population, reduced crop yields and dependence on herbicides for weed control. This session will be of interest to farm owners and operators, agricultural advisors, other agricultural stakeholders, and agency personnel.
Drainage Water Management
Jeff Strock, University of Minnesota, will described the associated benefits and limitations of drainage water management. Drainage water management is the practice of using a water level control structure to manage the root zone water table within an agricultural field. Potential benefits include opportunities to increase crop yield, enhance water use efficiency, and decrease nitrogen loss through drainage systems. Potential limitations include landscape suitability, neutral/decreased crop yield, and active management of the control structure. This session will be of interest to farm owners and operators, agricultural advisors, other agricultural stakeholders, and agency personnel.
Capitalizing on the rotation effect to increase yield and reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Joe Lauer, University of Wisconsin, will describe the effects and impacts rotation and tillage practices can have on agriculture. Extended crop rotations include more crop types. An example would be a corn-soybean-wheat rotation series. Extended crop rotations have the potential to build soil organic matter, improve soil quality, increase carbon sequestration, and maximize resiliency under variable weather conditions. This session will be of interest to farm owners and operators, agricultural advisors, other agricultural stakeholders, and agency personnel.
Farmer Adaptation and Conservation Practice Adoption in Response to Variable Weather in the Corn Belt
J. Arbuckle and Jamie Benning, Iowa State University, will present farmer survey data collected from across the Corn Belt. The presentation will examine farmers’ concerns about climate-related threats to farm operations, perceived ability to deal with the predicted impacts of climate change, experience with extreme weather events, attitudes toward climate change adaptation, and recent changes in practices. This session will be of interest to extension educators, agricultural advisors, other agricultural stakeholders, and agency personnel to broaden their understanding of farmer perspectives in their local areas.