No farm is the same, so talk to your crop adviser, conservation district representative or Natural Resources Conservation Service expert about the 4R Plus practices that are best for your acres. The CNA Plus Academy was established in October 2017 to help aspiring Certified Nursing Assistants pass their state CNA test. Recker is an advocate for 4R Plus practices like no-till and cover crops. To fertilize properly and achieve the benefits of an abundant and healthy crop, professionals should follow the 4Rs of fertilizer use: Right Source @ Right Rate, Right Time, Right Place ®. Harvest 2020: Sticking with 4R Plus Practices Long-term. Address: The Nature Conservancy of Iowa 505 5th Ave #930, Des Moines, IA 50309; Phone: (515) 244-5044. While her father and grandfather started no-tilling before Fisher returned to the farm, she quickly went to work experimenting with other 4R Plus management practices. • Tuesday, Jan. This is remarkable progress, but there is still more work to be done because the Phase III WIP goal is 17. A wet spring isn’t a new occurrence for Humboldt County farmer Doug Adams. Anaerobic digesters also digest organic materials to produce methane, but Sievers explains they take things a step further, harnessing the methane. Improving soils is a long-term commitment according to Audubon County farmer Doug Carter. On the steep hills of Harrison and Monona counties, Curt Mether has a cropping system that has stood the test of time. Strip tillage is saving money. Right rate, at the. Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) is a quality system covering the organizational process and conditions under which non-clinical laboratory studies are planned, performed, monitored, recorded, reported, and archived. The 4Rs focus on nutrient application, which is an excellent place to start, because getting applied nutrients recovered by crops is fundamental to. A year after launching, the 4R Plus program continues to add to the resources available to Iowa farmers and agriculture professionals. See more4R Plus involves using precise 4R nutrient management and conservation practices to provide nutrients when the crop needs them, to enhance soil health, and improve water. He’s battled excess moisture at planting three years running on his southeast Iowa farm, but by late July, the crops needed a drink. Learn more. The benefits of 4R Plus practices are front of mind as farmers look ahead to the 2022 growing season, when pricey inputs will likely narrow margins. But a field that has been in a cover crop, no-till or strip-till system for a few years. Field trials in 2019 started with nine Iowa farmers. By: 4R Plus December 2019. or improving soil. Using the 4Rs allows you to keep the nutrients in the root zone and available when the crop needs them the most during the growing season. Recommended practices. This is very 1990. Unfortunately, a high soil moisture profile this fall has him concerned about 2020. mac1usa, Feb 14, 2022 #8. These materials provide an overview of 4R Plus, including the importance of nutrient stewardship and conservation practices to help Iowa reach its nutrient reduction strategy goals. On the mostly flat landscape, Kossuth County’s Matt and Nancy Bormann have peace of mind knowing the land is prepped for spring planting. With 60% of his corn crop harvested as of late October, Launstein was averaging around 245 bushels per acre. More importantly, many farmers reported using one or more of the main practices that 4R Plus promotes. Not surprisingly, farmers with more positive attitudes toward the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy were more likely to have used many of the practices. Mitchell Hora continually fine-tunes 4R Plus practices on the Washington County land he farms alongside his father. Reduce drainage intensity with wider-spaced tile. Farmers just need information, resources and encouragement to speed adoption. “It’s that decision not to fall plow, that decision. Address: The Nature Conservancy of Iowa 505 5th Ave #930, Des Moines, IA. Use the blog search to learn how farmers are incorporating 4R Plus practices to improve soil health and water quality. Saturated fields are a frustration to farmers that want to complete this. Iowa Farmer Reports; CCA Courses; 4R Practices Videos; 4R Practices Guides; Farmer Blog; Supporter Resources; Contact 4R Plus. Cover crop growing in field of no-till corn. Iowa Corn is hosting a panel discussion at the Iowa Power Farming Show January 29 and 30, 2019. Wendong Zhang’s research seeks to better understand the farmland market, agricultural nutrient runoff and conservation practice adoption. Soil erosion in Iowa is occurring about 10 times faster than soil is being renewed, says Rick Cruse, Ph. Farmers See the Plus Side of Adding 4R Plus Practices. Richmond provided leadership in drafting the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. With 60% of his corn crop harvested as of late October, Launstein was averaging around 245 bushels per acre. There are state, federal and other financial assistance programs available for implementing 4R Plus nutrient stewardship, and agronomic and conservation practices, including the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship Water Quality Initiative, Environmental Quality Incentives Program, the Conservation Stewardship Program, the Conservation Reserve Program and others. , 2017; Omonode et al. By implementing 4R nutrient stewardship practices, you optimize the nutrients you apply to maximize plant uptake and minimize field losses. 4R Plus practices put to use in rented-land discussions. format, as well as showcasing the practices available, we hope to speed adoption of the practices. 4R Plus systems may include:What is 4R Plus? Benefits of Adopting 4R Plus Practices; 4R's of Nutrient Management; Soil Conservation Methods; 4R Resources. “Now that watershed coordinators know where these six conservation practices are established, they can better locate where new conservation practices are needed,” Schnieders said. These practices help your soil remain productive, SOIL ORGANIC MATTER soil health Soil health is the continued capacity of soil to function as a vitalImportance of the “Plus” conservation practices. It used to be more difficult for farmers to find a local cover crop seed dealer or application business, but a new app helps them get started. June 28, 2022, 10:50 am | J. Use the blog search to learn how farmers are incorporating 4R Plus practices to improve soil health and water quality. He also relies on data to confirm his efforts with multiple 4R Plus practices to improve soil structure 4R Plus is having a positive impact concerning the adoption of 4R nutrient management and conservation practices, according to the recent Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll conducted by Iowa State University. He’s looking ahead to next season and trialing several different 4R Plus practices, including seeding rye cover crops into no-till soybeans and trying out new biologic technology in hopes of reducing nitrogen application. Multi-cropping is more than one crop harvested on the same field in the same year. Join the 4R Plus movement The more than 50 supporters of the 4R Plus program recognize it will take a combination of nutrient stewardship and conservation practices on farms to meet the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy nonpoint goal of reducing nitrogen and phosphorus loading into Iowa waters by 41% and 29%, respectively. For more information on soil health. What is 4R Plus? Benefits of Adopting 4R Plus Practices; 4R's of Nutrient Management; Soil Conservation Methods; 4R Resources. Meier (left) welcomes visitors to learn about the benefits of the practices he has on the farm. Rick Cruse, Ph. · April 9, 2021. We need nutrient management plus conservation practices to meet Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy nontarget goals, which aim to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus loading into Iowa waters by 41 and 29 percent, respectively. . Strategies. Related posts. “We asked them for their data, and in return. Opinion research conducted earlier this year found that economics were the major driver in this decision process. About 25% of the ground is highly erodible, but the rest is mostly flat. A variety of nutrient stewardship and conservation practices are available for Iowa farmers to use to improve soil health and. 4R Plus Supporters. Plant cover crops to take up water and nutrients from the soil. The “Plus” in 4R Plus involves in-field and edge-of-field agronomic and conservation practices that increase the resiliency and health of your soil, retain nutrients and moisture for the crop, reduce soil erosion and runoff losses and improve water quality. Intronis provides partners with a free 14 day trial to store as much or as little data as they would like. The simple 4R ideas will gain most farms added yield. My goal was to add these practices and maintain an upward yield curve, and the pace of yield improvement actually climbed the first year. 4R Practices Guides; Farmer Blog; Contact 4R Plus. The Bormanns made a conscious decision to farm more sustainable using 4R Plus practices and see value in protecting the soil. Economic: Helping smallholder farmers grow more nutritious and marketable crops, increase revenues, productivity and profit margins. Darin Stolte from Jones County, Iowa, is a 2016 4R Grower Advocate winner. Fremont County, Iowa, farmer Julius Schaaf encourages others to consider the Plus Side of weatherproofing soil using 4R Plus practices like no-till and. Improve nitrogen management using 4R nutrient stewardship practices. 4R nutrient stewardship involves best management practices (BMPs) that optimize the efficiency of fertilizer use. Photo courtesy of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Learn about the 4R Plus practices he uses and how they have improved profitability on his farm. Iowa farmers’ adoption of conservation practices varied among cropping districts, which controlled for variance in practice utility due to landscape variability. Right time and in the. While industry and conservation organizations are. Introduction to 4R Nutrient Stewardship Practices. Right rate, at the. “We want to keep the ground productive and maintain its value as cropland. Photo: Iowa Corn. 4R Plus has developed a video to help farmers and other stakeholders understand the goals of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. Improving soil health brings results. On April 3, 2020, Wright County, Iowa, farmer Stu Swanson told Dustin Hoffman, a farm broadcaster with the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network, about the positive results he sees using 4R Plus practices. Find out what non-operating landowners are doing to encourage the adoption of 4R Plus practices on rented land. The worms help with water infiltration and have loosened up compaction. In an anaerobic digester, manure is combined in the digester. September is the start of the cover cropping season in Iowa, and more and more farmers are looking to improve weed control, access cattle feed and improve their soil health by using this 4R Plus practice. There’s no one-size-fits-all. 4R Plus. “I’ve noticed more wormholes in the soil thanks to no-till and cover crops. We found that adoption was associated with clusters of factors at both the individual and county levels. Plant cover crops to take up water and nutrients from the soil. Despite less-than-ideal weather so far this growing season, he’s optimistic. A made-in-Canada program, 4R Nutrient Stewardship promotes such environmental stewardship through best practices in science-based nutrient management. The benefits of 4R Plus practices are front of mind as farmers look ahead to the 2022 growing season, when pricey inputs will likely narrow margins. There are many other field days and events that are hosted by a wide variety of organizations. Address: The Nature Conservancy of Iowa 505 5th Ave #930, Des Moines, IA 50309; Phone: (515) 244-5044. TRDLE New Member. 4R Nutrient Stewardship is based on four key principles:4R Plus practices help reach the goals set out by the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy, says Shawn Richmond, director of environmental technology, Agribusine. Category Blog Cost Share Cover Crops Edge-of-Field Practice Hidden Nutrient Management Profits Regional Farmer Rented Land Results Soil Health Tillage Uncategorized Water Quality4R Consistent Practices for Canadian Cropping Systems Purpose The 4R Nutrient Stewardship Program is being implemented by the Canadian fertilizer industry to ensure that fertilizers and other nutrient sources are managed sustainably. “I lost 40 acres of corn to a flood this spring, ran out of moisture this summer during that long dry spell and then had some corn flipped over by the derecho,” he said. More importantly, many farmers reported using one or more of the main practices that 4R Plus promotes. What is 4R Plus? Benefits of Adopting 4R Plus Practices; 4R's of Nutrient Management; Soil Conservation Methods; 4R Resources. Making the most of soil - the most valuable asset on your farm Our professional team works to increase productivity and cost effectiveness on your farm. If the recommended practices for each category are not used, it should be viewed as a risk based decision in consultation with the CFT and documented as such, identifying the associated. Farmers across Iowa are implementing 4R Plus practices to help ensure better soil health, higher productivity and cleaner water. The "Plus" refers to conservation practices that can boost production, increase soil resiliency, reduce erosion and runoff, and improve water quality. While Julie Kenney uses her role as Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture to encourage farmers to utilize 4R Plus practices to improve soil health and water quality, her husband Mark, a fifth generation corn and soybean farmer in Story County, implements. This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. By: 4R Plus October 2018. This is where he’s focused on finding solutions to integrate his crop and livestock systems, improve the soil and. The 4Rs of Nutrient Stewardship. One of the byproducts of that consumption is methane. Launched by a grant from CF Industries, 4R Plus is being guided by a coalition of agricultural and conservation organizations as a part of the Iowa 4R Plus program to support farmers’ efforts to implement precise nutrient management and conservation practices that boost soil health, crop productivity, and profitability. ) 4R Plus looks at the whole system. There’s the eye test and then there’s hard data analysis. There are 4R Plus practices that can be implemented on virtually any farm regardless of topography. ”Spring 2021: Protect Productive Soil Using 4R Plus Practices Dale Launstein of Grundy County is willing to go to great lengths protecting the productive soil he raises corn and soybeans on. Together, 4R nutrient stewardship and conservation practices can help farmers achieve healthier soils and ultimately a more productive crop now and in the future. Murphy/Iowa Soybean Association. Iowa Farmer Reports; CCA Courses;. Increase perennials in row crop rotations to reduce both drainage flow and nitrate loads. Iowa Farmer Reports; CCA Courses;. AMES, Iowa — A study of Iowa farmers’ use of 4R Plus nutrient management practices offers insights into social, economic, and ecological influences on adoption that operate at both an individual level and within a larger, county-level context. Collectively these conservation and stewardship practices are designed to help achieve healthier soils which produce higher yields now and in the future. On the flat, tile-drained landscape, Webster County farmer Kellie Blair says their farm’s stewardship efforts are focused on minimizing nutrient losses from subsurface drainage. Dustin Hoffmann - October 19, 2020 9:40 am. “When we get a heavy rain, it soaks in, and when it’s dry, the soil holds the moisture better,” he said. Summer 2019: 4R Plus Practices Have Cumulative Effect. The weather this spring threw Audubon County farmer Doug Carter a curve: it cooperated. Julius Schaaf, a fifth-generation farmer in Fremont County, was impressed by how well the 2021 corn and soybean crops performed given exceptional dryness early in the growing season that had him wondering if he’d be able to fill grain contracts. These four factors have been recognized as the major pillars of nutrient best management practices for at least 30 yr. He said farmers were accustomed to talking to their retailer about product features and pricing but weren’t used to talking to them about conservation. City or town, state, and ZIP code. Cattle graze on Daly’s cover crops on the gentle rolling hills of Dubuque County. So, 4R practices also apply to organic farming. It has made Iowa a proving ground for technology, traits, and practices. On the mostly flat landscape, the fifth-generation farmer now grows corn, soybeans, hay, rye and oats. Gordon Arbuckle Jr. 4R Plus supports Iowa farmers’ efforts to improve their soil and water conservation through precise nutrient management and conservation practices. Close Beyond a Moving Average. In many cases, that future is already underway. We want to get a root. Iowa State University’s Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll: 2018 Summary Report demonstrates the percentage of Iowa’s farmers who are adopting 4R Plus practices continues to rise. By: 4R Plus September 2018. He has been no-tilling for more than 20 years and started planting cover crops on as many acres as possible six years ago. To improve sustainability, many crop management practices beyond crop nutrition become important. The use of a single 4R Plus practice, such as cover crops (Roesch-McNally et al. The "Plus" in 4R Plus relates to in-field and edge- of-field conservation practices that increase the resiliency of your soil and improve water quality. 4R Plus Practices for All Iowa Landscapes. Supporters of the 4R Plus program are invited to create a user profile in order to gain access to materials that you can use to spread the 4R Plus message to farmers, agronomists and consultants about the importance of conservation and nutrient stewardship practices. ” To learn more about 4R Plus, visit ### About 4R Plus 4R Plus is a nutrient management and conservation program to make farmers aware of practices that bolster production, build soil health and improve water quality in Iowa. Increase perennials in row crop rotations to reduce both drainage flow and nitrate loads. But he’s always looking for areas to improve. During an average year, denitrification occurs at a rate of about 30 pounds per acre. The 2018 4R Summit was held in Des Moines in June 2018. m. In 2020, Carter faced drought and derecho crop-related damage. 4R Plus is a whole system approach, incorporating practices that help to improve habitat, soil health and drainage management. Gross farm sales had a significant positive effect in almost all the 4R plus practices models. Using the 4Rs allows you to keep the nutrients in the root zone and available when the crop needs them the most during the growing season. Last name Address . Reduce, Recycle, Refuse, and Reuse are the four R’s that protects the environment and prevent. 4R Plus Practices Used. Harvest 2020: Building on 4R Plus Practice Success. Learn about the agronomic,. Iowa Farmer Reports; CCA Courses; 4R Practices Videos; 4R Practices Guides; Farmer Blog; Supporter Resources; Contact 4R Plus. Three years into his trials, Boyer saw enough benefits to seed cover crops on all the acres he own. “Nitrogen has never been free or cheap. county-level social, economic, and ecological factors associated with 4R Plus practice adop-tion. Discover its benefits on and beyond your farm. By 4R Plus | December 8, 2020. Find an upcoming crop or soil. By implementing 4R nutrient stewardship practices, you optimize the nutrients you apply to maximize plant uptake and minimize field losses. By implementing 4R nutrient stewardship practices, you optimize the nutrients you apply to maximize plant uptake and minimize field losses. “I got started with cover crops as part of our seed corn production,” said the Field to Market 2020 National Farmer of the Year. 4R Plus is having a positive impact concerning the adoption of 4R nutrient management and conservation practices, according to the recent Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll conducted by Iowa State University. Dale Launstein of Grundy County is reaping the rewards of 4R Plus practices like strip-tilling corn, no-tilling soybeans into cornstalks and planting cover crops on all acres. Since launching in February, we have remained focused on the goal of spreading the 4R Plus message. D. 4R Plus Supporters. Conclusion: The PACC provides consensus guidance on best practices of trialing for IDDS implants. He missed the very worst of the derecho, but was in the bull’s eye of severe drought for much of the growing season. Encouraging 4R Plus Practices on Rented Farmland. The 2021 growing season produced some of the highest soybean yields Michael Vittetoe has ever seen. By 4R Plus | December 8, 2020. “TFI’s 4R Advocates serve as real-world examples of how implementing 4R practices on a farm can positively impact the bottom line and provide environmental benefits. Iowa Farmer Reports; CCA Courses; 4R Practices Videos; 4R Practices Guides; Farmer Blog; Supporter Resources; Contact 4R Plus. AMES, Iowa — A study of Iowa farmers’ use of 4R Plus nutrient management practices offers insights into social, economic, and ecological influences on adoption that operate at both an individual level and within a larger, county-level context. March 2020. The “Plus” component of the 4R Plus refers to highly effective conservation practices such as cover crops that complement best nutrient management practices and further reduce nutrient losses while retaining or improving soil. The 4R's stand for right source, right rate, right time, and right place and serve to guide farmers to the management practices that help keep nutrients on and in the field. It's easy to spot a close beyond a moving average, so there's no room for overthinking or interpretation. Farmers from varied landscapes are being followed by 4R Plus through the 2020 growing season to learn how practices are used and the agronomic and economic benefits seen. 4R Plus is a nutrient management and conservation program to make farmers aware of practices that bolster production, build soil health and improve water quality in Iowa. Cost Share Options. management and conservation practices to improve soil health and water quality - all while protecting their yields. That’s why we’re excited about the concept of “4R Plus” currently being implemented in Iowa. Address: The Nature Conservancy of Iowa 505 5th Ave #930, Des Moines, IA 50309; Phone: (515) 244-5044. 4R Plus. The program is guided by a coalition of more than 50 organizations, including agribusinesses, conservation organizations, commodity and trade associations, government agencies. Be a 4R Farmer. Ownership of Iowa farmland is increasingly shifting to landowners with little to no understanding of the conservation practices that improve soil resiliency, said Wendong Zhang, Ph. Examples of the practices include: - Cover crops - No-till - Strip-till - Grass waterwaysIndividual- and county-level factors associated with farmers’ use of 4R Plus nutrient management practices. Nieuwenhuis has seen organic matter increase dramatically after switching to one-pass vertical tillage. 4R Nutrient Stewardship provides a framework to achieve cropping system goals, such as increased production, increased farmer profitability, enhanced environmental protection and improved sustainability. Learn about the agronomic, conservation and land management practices that can work in every region of the state. Account for nutrient credits from previous year to determine rate. Soybeans were also doing well, with harvest. The term “4R” refers to use of the right source, right rate, right time, and right place in nutrient management. The 4R Certification program was first brought to Canada through the implementation of the program in Ontario in close collaboration with the Nutrient Stewardship Council, the Ohio Agri-Business Association and The Fertilizer Institute in the U. Address: The Nature Conservancy of Iowa 505 5th Ave #930, Des. No farm is the same, so talk to your crop adviser, conservation district representative or Natural Resources Conservation Service expert about the 4R Plus practices. What is 4R Plus? Benefits of Adopting 4R Plus Practices; 4R's of Nutrient Management; Soil Conservation Methods; 4R Resources. This fifth-generation farmer uses soil conservation practices to improve. The “Plus” in 4R Plus refers to a suite of in-field and edge-of-field conservation practices that increase soil resiliency and help to keep nutrients on fields and out of adjacent water bodies. This Program is a nutrient management and conservation program that equips Iowa farmers with the tools and resources to protect and enhance. Address: The Nature Conservancy of Iowa 505 5th Ave #930, Des Moines, IA. Improving soil health brings results. With goals to stop erosion, build organic matter and improve soil structure, he switched to a system. The crop caught a nice 2-inch rain in August that was “probably a lifesaver,” he said. What is 4R Plus? Benefits of Adopting 4R Plus Practices; 4R's of Nutrient Management; Soil Conservation Methods; 4R Resources. DLE. The region is the primary source of winter vegetables for the eastern United States. The 4R approach to agricultural nutrient management aims to ensure use of the “right source. Find more 4R Plus success stories or check out Robbins’ online store offering homegrown beef. The 2021 poll included questions about the 4R Plus program. Most ground is no-till, with a minimum of conservation tillage used; Contour farming is used on rolling ground; Plants cover crops and has ground in the WRP and CRP; Buffer strips, drainage ditches and grassed waterways; Tests soil in two-and-a-half-acre grids in the fall to determine nutrient plan for crop removal rateHe also believes 4R Plus practices used on the farm help keep soil productive. the role of psychological evaluation. management practices based on principles of the 4Rs. For example, let's say that you went short at the arrow on this chart. What is 4R Plus? Benefits of Adopting 4R Plus Practices; 4R's of Nutrient Management; Soil Conservation Methods; 4R Resources. More than half of Iowa’s farmland is owned by non-operating landowners (NOLs). These practices help your soil remain productive, SOIL ORGANIC MATTER soil health Soil health is the continued capacity of soil to function as a vital Harvest 2021: Emphasize 4R Plus Practices in Cash Rent Discussions. "When considering a 4R Plus practice, keep the long-term benefits in mind. I hope the new 4R has at least the 5,000 capacity as the current generation. Summer 2020: 4R Plus Practices Show Their Value Amid Varied Weather Davis County farmer Roger Wuthrich knows every growing season is different, but he dealt with some déjà vu at planting season. Over the last 10 years they changed tillage practices and now farm using a variety of no-till, strip-till and vertical-till to keep the soil as undisturbed as possible. up the 4R Plus framework. Messaging. He shares the multiple Plus Side benefits he has discovered – like improved plant health – transitioning tillage practices and. 4R Plus has developed a video to help farmers and other stakeholders understand the goals of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. These practices help your soil remain productive, even under variable weather conditions. The double whammy of drought conditions and downed crops due to the historic derecho has some Iowa farmers questioning the feasibility of seeding cover crops this fall, despite their proven benefits. He and his wife Darla farm commercial and seed corn and soybeans and are focused on using 4R Plus practices, like waterways, no-till and cover crops, to protect their valuable investment so future generations can make a living on the land. Humboldt County farmer Doug Adams had a plan A for the spring planting season, but wet conditions forced him to make some adjustments. To achieve those goals, the 4R concept incorporates the: Right fertilizer source at the. Address: The Nature Conservancy of Iowa 505 5th Ave #930, Des Moines, IA 50309; Phone: (515) 244-5044. There are state, federal and other financial assistance programs available for implementing 4R Plus nutrient stewardship, and agronomic and conservation practices, including the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship Water Quality Initiative, Environmental Quality Incentives Program, the Conservation. “No-till allows moisture to infiltrate much better than tilled soil because the soil isn’t. These findings are important for policy makers and extension education programs because. Once logged in, you will find a variety of materials. 4R Plus, an organization that promotes using precise 4R nutrient stewardship along with conservation practices to improve productivity on Iowa’s farms while protecting our natural resources, has launched a social media campaign named “On The Plus Side” to showcase the benefits of adding in-field and edge-of-field practices. Awareness of 4R has been steadily increasing among farmers and their crop advisors over the past decade. January 23, 2019. Consider economic, environmental, and social impacts. up the 4R Plus framework. These practices help your soil remain productive, SOIL ORGANIC MATTER soil health Soil health is the continued capacity of soil to function as a vitalHarvest 2021: Emphasize 4R Plus Practices in Cash Rent Discussions. Mollie Aronowitz is the director of sustainability and a land manager for Peoples Company. 4rplus. . AMES, Iowa - A study of Iowa farmers’ use of 4R Plus nutrient management practices offers insights into social, economic, and ecological influences on adoption that operate at both an individual level and within a larger, county. PB. etc. Address: The Nature Conservancy of Iowa 505 5th Ave #930, Des Moines, IA. Hickey explains that soil health and water quality start with the management. The results have been impressive: increased organic matter in the soil, reduced fertilizer applications, reduced pesticide use, improved water quality, drastically reduced fuel and equipment costs from. Mahaska County farmer Mark Jackson defines sustainability as having the economics of farming in balance with his community and the environment. Similarly, 48% believed the practices had. . If validated through field research, the 4R Stewardship framework could easily be adapted to a “4Rs Plus” framework that includes a consideration of the impact that optimal water use efficiency has on influencing agronomic performance and limiting off-site losses of applied fertilizer in runoff water. The new 4R Plus initiative adds in soil conservation practices that enhance soil health and improve water quality, with the goal of achieving a more productive crop now and in the future. The Hundley family started farming in 1935 in the Everglades Agricultural Area, one of the larger contiguous bodies of organic soil in the world. “CF Industries, along with The Nature Conservancy, came together with a vision for a program that would empower. July 2021. Recker is an advocate for 4R Plus practices like no-till and cover crops. The second-year canes are called floricanes. 4R Plus systems may include:He has a long history of protecting the soil from erosion by using 4R Plus practices like no-till and cover crops. The results have been impressive: increased organic matter in the soil, reduced fertilizer applications, reduced pesticide use, improved water quality, drastically reduced fuel and equipment costs from. Examples: Practices like no-till mean fewer trips across the field. This includes the 4R Plus practices. When you improve soil health, you enhance crop growth and increase soil productivity, which can boost your yield potential and return on investment. “If you have money in another asset, such as a house or a building, you protect it,” Matt said. Because of the long harvest season last fall, some of their planned cover crop acres did not get seeded. For more information on soil health. 4R Plus is developed by agricultural and conservation organizations as a part of the Iowa 4R Plus program to support farmers’ efforts to implement precise nutrient management and conservation practices. 1b Social security numberSusanne Hickey, director of conservation programs for The Nature Conservancy in Iowa, told Dustin Hoffman, a farmer broadcaster with the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network, that interest in 4R Plus practices are on the rise, but there’s still more work to be done. But then the spigot turned off and temperatures soared during the grain fill period. Iowa Farmer Reports; CCA Courses; 4R Practices Videos; 4R Practices Guides; Farmer Blog; Supporter Resources; Contact 4R Plus. The concept of the 4Rs is simple: apply the right source of nutrient, at the right rate, at the right time and in the right place. Nieuwenhuis has seen organic matter increase dramatically after switching to one-pass vertical tillage. Iowa Farmer Reports; CCA Courses;. Jones County, Iowa, farmer Darin Stolte is passionate about nutrient stewardship. practices from which farmers can select, using adaptive management. Farmers seeing positive impacts from 4R Plus practices. Contact 4R Plus. The 4R nutrient stewardship includes the right fertilizer source applied at the right rate, the right time, and the right place for a crop producing sustainable economic, social, and environmental outcomes. Improving soils is a long-term commitment according to Audubon County farmer Doug Carter. (The information above is adapted from 4R Plant Nutrition. 4R Plus involves using precise 4R nutrient management along with conservation practices to enhance soil health and improve water quality. With more than 40 speakers, there was a lot of information to take in. Murphy/Iowa Soybean Association Twitter: @jmurphix; Website: Wright County, Iowa, farmer Tim Smith wants to be part of the solution. The Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll shows from 2015 to 2017, more farmers adopted 4R Plus practices like no-till and nitrogen stabilizers. The "Plus" in 4R Plus relates to in-field and edge- of-field conservation practices that increase the resiliency of your soil and improve water quality. , Room 311 WHAT WHERE WHO LEARN MORE Watch this video to learn how the 4R Plus approach makes the most of your most valuable asset, the soil beneath your. ”. Julius Schaaf is a fifth-generation corn and soybean farmer from the rolling hills of southwest Iowa. For example, if there is superelevation and widening, use guidance and recommended practices for "Minor Horizontal/Vertical Alignment Adjustments" category. But then the spigot turned off and temperatures soared during the grain fill period. Analyzing data allows him to target 4R Plus practices on acres that aren’t as productive. At the individual level, the variable crop area was positively associated with pre - dicting use of all 4R Plus practices except Right Rate. 8 million pounds per year. Farmland is in short-supply, demand is high, and farm income is strong. Iowa Farmer Reports; CCA Courses; 4R Practices Videos; 4R Practices Guides; Farmer Blog; Supporter Resources; Contact 4R Plus. The worms help with water infiltration and have loosened up compaction. With more than 40 speakers, there was a lot of information to take in. He’s transitioning to retirement and handing over more of the work to his son and a longtime partner but remains active on the farm. After years of adding 4R Plus practices to improve soil structure, he’s more confident about pushing the front end of the planting window. Summer 2019: 4R Plus Practices Have Cumulative Effect. “I can’t afford to keep pouring inputs into the acres that pull productivity down,” he said. Learn about the 4R Plus practices you can utilize on your farm to help reach the goals of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. D. The "Plus" in 4R Plus relates to in-field and edge- of-field conservation practices that increase the resiliency of your soil and improve water quality. To gain more knowledge, he joined the virtual community of farmers sharing how they implement 4R Plus practices. “This might not be the most convenient plan. Variable weather is one of the reasons he uses 4R Plus practices – to weatherproof soil. By: 4R Plus August 2020. If you were not hit by drought, you were hit by a derecho. Full-text available. This is embodied in Nutrient Stewardship addressing the right fertilizer source, at the right rate, the right time, and in the right place ( IFA, 2007 ; Lassaletta et al. PDF | On Sep 5, 2023, S. of performance levels to group practices provides guidance to growers and their crop advisors on the relative Rightness of practices for the crops and conditions in their region. Choose the 4R Plus Practices that Best Fit Your Farm. The soil health movement piqued his interest about the same time commodity prices were in the doldrums. 4R Plus followed four farmers from various parts of Iowa through the 2020 growing season to learn how nutrient stewardship benefited their farms. Growers can apply for funding to help pay for best management practices (BMPs) in four areas: soil testing, field zone mapping consulting services, enhanced efficiency fertilizer (EEF) and preferred application. (The information above is adapted from 4R Plant Nutrition. Using the 4Rs allows you to keep the nutrients in the root zone and. “Nitrogen has never been free or cheap. Launstein reported in Grundy County, some of the state’s highest-rated farmland, he’s seeing an uptick in. Performance levels also allow growers to qualify their nutrient management practices as 4R consistent and consequently sustainable against an independent standard. It brings agriculture and conservation together to deliver a consistent set of messages around conservation practices. The gentle rolling hills of Dubuque County are the perfect setting for Tim Daly’s corn, soybean and cattle operation. They put the additional time saved with the quick harvest to good use this fall to plant cover crops, get their strips tilled and even improve a waterway. June 28, 2022, 10:50 am | J. Support for the program has expanded to include. Cover crop growing in field of no-till corn. 4R Plus, a combination of the “4Rs” of nutrient stewardship “plus” conservation practices, are needed. We provide online practice tests that simulate the official exam. To become a part of the 4R program, farmers have to work with a 4R designated agronomist. Success with 4R Plus practices optimized with a targeted approach. Other 4R practices like split nitrogen applications or the use of nitrification or urease inhibitors with nitrogen applications that can reduce nitrous oxide and nitrate losses are in harmony with many soil health practices (Eagle et al. National projects help amplify the importance of applying 4R Nutrient Stewardship to. Comprehensive soil fertility testing is the foundation of a farm’s prescribed 4R nutrient stewardship program, says Emily Doyle, precision ag specialist at New Century FS. Agriculture’s Clean Water Alliance aligns with Iowa’s 4R Plus program to help boost crop yields, while improving soil health and water quality in the state Des Moines, Iowa. Reason: Farmers need a compelling reason before they decide to implement the 4Rs on their farms. Watch on. Testing soil on a regular basis and using these indicators can help you best manage your crop and soil. Upadhaya and others published Individual- and county-level factors associated with farmers’ use of 4R Plus nutrient management practices | Find, read and cite all the. “The 4R Plus approach takes the 4R effort a step further with the use of conservation and soil health practices. There are state, federal and other financial assistance programs available for implementing 4R Plus nutrient stewardship, agronomic and conservation practices, including the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, the Conservation Stewardship Program, the Conservation Reserve Program through USDA NRCS, the. While I’m just in my early ’30s, I only have 40 attempts to grow a crop in my lifetime. 1a . “The seed beans didn’t show up until early June. 29, and Wednesday, Jan. Right time and in the. Dale Launstein of Grundy County is reaping the rewards of 4R Plus practices like strip-tilling corn, no-tilling soybeans into cornstalks and planting cover crops on all acres. 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