Cover crops help reduce nitrate losses from corn and soybean fields. By stemming the runoff, the management practice improves and protects water quality in lakes, streams and rivers. How effective are covers in doing that for the long term? Iowa Learning Farms will host a webinar at noon Sept. 2 to answer that question. The presentation will look at the impacts of nitrogen management practices and cover crops on downstream nitrate-N loss. 

The 4Rs of nitrogen management are the right source, right rate, right time and right place. Using the 4R management practices along with planting cover crops in corn and soybean fields helps reduce nitrate losses even more.

“Farmers really should consider using the 4R approach to crop nutrient and fertilizer management,” says Liz Ripley, conservation and cover crop specialist with the ILF program at Iowa State University Extension. 

Use 4R’s with cover crop 

What are the 4R’s of crop nutrient management? The “right source” refers to using the correct type of fertilizer for the soil and crop needs. The “right rate” means the application rate matches the crop requirements. The “right time” means ensuring that nitrogen is available when the crop needs it. The “right place” refers to placing the nitrogen in the soil and keeping the N in the soil where the crop can get to it. 

Keynote speaker will be Matt Helmers, director of the Iowa Nutrient Research Center at ISU. He will explain the long-term impacts of using nitrogen management practices, as well as planting cover crops, on reducing nitrate-N loss from farming systems. 

Applying nitrogen closer to when crops take it up through their roots has the potential to reduce nitrogen loss. Future nitrogen management will need to take the dry conditions of summer 2020 into consideration. Cover crops may be an important tool for reducing the risk of increased nitrogen loss during subsequent wet periods. 

 “Farmers are increasingly challenged to reduce downstream nitrate-N loss. The first step in reducing nitrogen loss is good in-field nitrogen management,” says Helmers, an ISU research and Extension ag engineer who focuses on water quality, specifically nitrate-N loss through drainage systems. 

To participate in the live webinar, shortly before noon Sept. 2, visit iastate.zoom.us/join and enter meeting ID 364 284 172. Or call 312-626- 6799 or 646-876-9923.   

Webinar archived

The webinar will be recorded and archived on ILF website so it can be watched any time. Archived webinars are at iowalearningfarms.org/page/webinars.

A certified crop adviser board-approved continuing education unit has been applied for, for those who are able to participate in the live webinar. Information on how to apply to receive credit (if approved) will be provided at the end of the live webinar.  

Source: ISU, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content in this information asset.