The cost of managing soil fertility in Iowa continues to change, with increased fertilizer input costs and a rising demand for nutrients from higher-yielding crops. To help farmers maximize profits, Iowa State University Extension is hosting 17 workshops at various locations from the end of January through March called “Soil Testing Interpretations and Recommendations: Maximizing Return on Investment.”

ISU Extension field agronomist Josh Michel says the workshops will lead farmers through the basics of soil testing:

“These workshops provide producers the skills to best allocate fertilizer input dollars on their farms,” says Virgil Schmitt, field agronomist with ISU Extension. “Producers are already thinking about next year’s fertility decisions.”

The workshops are designed to help farmers understand their current soil nutrient situation, the amount their crops are using in a growing season, and what needs to be added, says Rebecca Vittetoe, another ISU Extension field agronomist who will be presenting.

Soil fertility workshops

Enrollment size is limited at these meetings and registration is required. Registrants should contact their ISU Extension county office or the site location they wish to attend to get preregistered. Fees can be paid the day of the workshop. Registration for each event includes publications, copies of presentations and brunch or lunch, if provided. The workshops follow:

Jan. 22; 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Woolstock Community Building, 104 McArthur St., Woolstock. Registration is $40 per person, and preregistration is required by Jan. 17. Enrollment is limited to 30. Call the ISU Extension Wright County office at 515-532-3453 or the ISU Extension Hamilton County office at 515-832-9597.

Jan. 28; 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at ISU Extension Madison County office. Registration is $20 per person, and preregistration is required by Jan. 24. Enrollment is limited to 30. Call the Madison County office at 515-462-1001.

Jan. 29; 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at ISU Extension Humboldt County office. Registration is $40 per person, and preregistration is required by Jan. 24. Enrollment is limited to 30. Call the Humboldt County office at 515-332-2201 or the ISU Extension Pocahontas County office at 712-335-3103.

Jan. 31; 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Jefferson County Activities Building. Registration is $10 per person, and preregistration is required by Jan. 29. Enrollment is limited to 30. Call the ISU Extension Jefferson County office at 641-472-4166.

Feb. 4; 1 to 4:30 p.m. at ISU Extension Mitchell County office, with lunch served at 12:15 p.m. Registration is $40 per person, and preregistration is required by Jan. 28. Enrollment is limited to 30. Call the Mitchell County office at 641-732-5574.

Feb. 7; 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Poweshiek Water Association at Brooklyn. Registration is $10 per person, and preregistration is required by Feb. 5. There is no registration cost for Corn Grower members, but RSVP by Feb. 5 is needed. Enrollment is limited to 30. Call the ISU Extension Poweshiek County office at 641-623-5188.

Feb. 13; 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at ISU Extension Jones County office. Registration $40 per person, and preregistration is required by Feb. 11. Enrollment is limited to 30. Call the Jones County office at 319-465-3224.

Feb. 13; 1 to 3 p.m. at ISU Extension Ringgold County office. No registration fee, but for questions or to RSVP, call the Ringgold County office at 641-464-3333.

Feb. 18; 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at ISU Extension Bremer County office. Registration is $40 per person, and preregistration is required by Feb. 14. Enrollment is limited to 30. Call the Bremer County office at 319-465-3224.

Feb. 19; 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Heartland Community Room, 1201 Market St., Gowrie. Registration is $40 per person, and preregistration is required by Feb. 14. Enrollment is limited to 30. Call the ISU Extension Webster County office at 515-576-2119 or Calhoun County office at 712-297-8611.

Feb. 19; 10 a.m. to noon at ISU Extension Adair office. No registration fee, but for questions or to RSVP, call the Adair County office at 641-743-8412.

Feb. 20; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Western Iowa Research Farm near Castana in Monona County. Registration is $40 per person, and preregistration is required by Feb. 14. Enrollment is limited to 25. Call the ISU Extension Monona County office at 712-423-2175.

Feb. 21; 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at ISU Extension Marion County office. Registration is $40 per person, and preregistration is required by Feb. 19. Enrollment is limited to 30. Call the Marion County office at 641-842-2014.

Feb. 27; 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Southeast Research and Demonstration Farm near Crawfordsville. Registration is $40 per person, and preregistration is required by Feb. 25. Enrollment is limited to 30. Call the ISU Extension Washington County office at 319-653-4811.

Feb. 28; 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at ISU Extension Black Hawk County office. Registration is $40 per person, and preregistration is required by Feb. 26. Enrollment is limited to 30. Call the Black Hawk County office at 319-234-6811.

Feb. 28; 10 a.m. to noon at ISU Extension Cass County office. No registration fee, but for questions or to RSVP, call the Cass County office at 712-243-1132.

March 13; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Le Mars Convention Center, 275 12th St. SE, Le Mars. Registration is $40 per person, and preregistration is required by March. 9. Enrollment is limited to 25. Call the ISU Extension Plymouth County office at 712-546-7835.

For more information or if you have questions about these meetings, contact your local extension field agronomist.

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 contained in this information asset.