Et cetera : Benton/Tama Nutrient Reduction Demonstration project opens today

Today, Benton County and Tama County Soil & Water Conservation District Commissioners and project partners are celebrating the kick-off of the Benton/Tama Nutrient Reduction Demonstration Project at 10:30 AM at Lakeview Lodge at Hickory Hills Park located 6 miles north of Dysart on County Road V37.

The Benton/Tama Nutrient Reduction Demonstration Project is located within the watersheds of Rock Creek, Pratt Creek and Lower Wolf Creek, which are in Benton County and Tama County. The watershed area includes 92,281 acres feeding directly into the Middle Cedar River. The primary objective is to demonstrate nutrient reduction practices, as identified in the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy, on cropland acres devoted to seed corn production. Seed corn production traditionally leaves lower residue and crop fields are left unprotected for longer periods during the year compared to corn grown for grain. This makes these areas vulnerable to loss of nutrients. The public has the perception that conservation and seed corn production are incompatible. This project will use conservation practices, field trials, demonstrations, and education to prove the seed corn industry can and will support conservation.

This project plans to treat 3,000 acres in seed corn production with, or in combination with, practices like cover crops, nitrogen inhibitors, no till/strip till, and improved nutrient applications. It is anticipated that through education and outreach, these practices will be accepted and adopted by farmers not only in seed corn production, but also in traditional row-crop production as well. Demonstration practices will include Nitrogen and Phosphorous management practices such as; timing, rates, nitrification inhibitors, cover crops, bioreactors, management application, placement, cover crops, reduced tillage, and vegetative buffers.

Project Partners include: Benton County Soil & Water Conservation District, Tama County Soil & Water Conservation District, DuPont Pioneer, Iowa State Extension Service, Benton County Extension Service, Iowa Soybean Association, Practical Farmers of Iowa, Iowa Learning Farms, The Nature Conservancy, Iowa Farm Bureau, USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service.

The project is made possible through a grant from the IA Department of Ag & Land Stewardship to the Benton and Tama SWCDs.

Speakers and special guests at the 10:30 AM event include:

· Bill Northey, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS)

· Jim Gillespie, IDALS Director Of Division Of Soil Conservation

· Antonio Mallarino, ISU Professor, Soil Fertility and Nutrient Management

· Al Finke, Black Hawk County Conservation Park Ranger

· Denise Schwab, ISU Extension Beef Specialist

· Dustin Kaestner, Custom Applicator and Farmer

Lunch will be provided by Benton County Farm Bureau, Tama County Farm Bureau, and Tama County Pork Producers

Hickory Hills Park, located twelve miles south of Waterloo or six miles north of Dysart off county road V37, is a unique area both in terms of its natural beauty and strategic location. The park’s 723 acres includes several innovative soil & water conservation practices designed to reduce nutrient delivery to the park's lake.

Contact the Benton & Tama County field offices or visit the website: www.bentontamanutrientreduction.org.

Special accommodations are available.

Benton SWCD
1705 West D Street
Vinton, IA 52349
Phone: 319-472-2161

Tama SWCD
102 West Hwy 30
Toledo, IA 52342
Phone: 641-484-2702