Iowa Learning Farms will host an upcoming webinar explaining the latest research, installation standards and best management practices for the use of saturated buffers in farm fields. Tune in noon April 18 to learn more about this water quality improvement practice.

Saturated buffers are the newest edge-of-field practice for removing nitrate from tile-drained fields. Dan Jaynes, research soil scientist with the National Laboratory for Agriculture and the Environment at Ames, will discuss the latest research and installation standards for saturated buffers. The presentation will provide a brief overview of the practice, share results from several saturated buffers and cover some of the recent changes in the practice.

Effective and inexpensive
“Saturated buffers are an inexpensive and effective practice for removing nitrate from tile drainage when properly located and designed,” Jaynes says. He has spent the past 20 years researching both in-field and edge-of-field practices for reducing the loss of nitrate from tile-drained cornfields while maintaining crop yields and soil health.

The Iowa Learning Farms webinar series takes place on the third Wednesday of each month. To watch, go to connect.extension.iastate.edu/ilf shortly before noon April 18 and log in through the “guest” option. The webinar will be recorded and archived on the ILF website for watching at any time at iowalearningfarms.org/page/webinars.

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, Iowa Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Source: Iowa Learning Farms