AMES, Iowa — The Iowa Learning Farms (ILF) conservation webinar taking place Dec. 4, at noon CST will feature Lowell Gentry, research agronomist, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (retired). Gentry is actively involved in research focusing on the areas of soil fertility and plant nutrition. He has conducted numerous tile drainage studies evaluating BMPs and conservation practices to reduce nitrate loss from fields to streams.
In the webinar, “Cropping Systems that Reduce Tile Nitrate Loss,” Gentry will report on the findings from on-farm tile drainage studies in central Illinois that evaluated the effects of fertilizer N management, cover crops, and crop rotation on reducing tile nitrate loss. He will also present research outcomes while discussing the relationship between cereal rye biomass accumulation and reductions in tile nitrate loss.
“Farm management practices that include diverse crop rotation can reduce the loss of nitrate (N) from fields to tile systems by as much as 50% while still maintaining row crop yield and system profitability,” said Gentry. “In the case of cereal rye ahead of soybean, this practice may be one of the best strategies for adding soil carbon as well as delivering reductions in nitrate losses. I anticipate that participants in this webinar will come away with new and better understanding about the direct impacts of diverse cropping systems on soil health and productivity.”
Participants are encouraged to ask questions of the presenters. People from all backgrounds and areas of interest are encouraged to join.
Don’t miss this webinar!
DATE: Wednesday, December 4, 2024
TIME: 12:00 p.m. CST
HOW TO PARTICIPATE:
Shortly before 12:00 pm CST, click the link below or type this web address into your internet browser: https://iastate.zoom.us/
Or, join via phone:
Dial: 646-876-9923
Webinar ID: 999 3709 5398
Upcoming Webinars in the Series:
Up Next: Wednesday, Dec. 11, with Francisco Arriaga, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Dec. 18: DeAnn Presley, Kansas State University – The Last Webinar of 2024!
The webinar will also be recorded and archived. All archived webinars are available on the ILF website, so that they can be watched at any time.
ILF has applied for a Certified Crop Adviser board-approved continuing education unit (CEU) for attending this webinar. Those who participate in the live webinar are eligible. Information about how to apply to receive the credit will be provided at the end of the live webinar.
About Iowa Learning Farms:
Established in 2004, Iowa Learning Farms is building a Culture of Conservation by encouraging adoption of conservation practices. Farmers, researchers and ILF team members are working together to identify and implement the best management practices that improve water quality and soil health while remaining profitable. Partners of Iowa Learning Farms include the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Iowa Department of Natural Resources, EPA Section 319 Grant Program and GROWMARK, Inc.
–Iowa Learning Farms
