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Partnering with Iowans for a better future, continued Research, teaching and Extension are integrated By working with ISU Extension researchers, Steve Berger, a Wellman livestock and crop producer, is making it possible for other producers to have accurate information for their operations. Berger is applying a phosphorous index model to two parcels of his land as part of an Extension study conducted in partnership with Iowa Department of Natural Resources. “The index is being introduced as a requirement to manure management plans,” Berger said. “It is a tool to manage farms so phosphorous stays on the fields and is used by the crops and stays out of the groundwater. We’ll apply the model to these fields to see how it scores.” ISO 9000 quality management uses a systems approach to improving productivity and profitability by learning and then meeting customer expectations. Grants through Extension and the Iowa Department of Economic Development made it possible to teach Southeast Iowa producers who then became ISO 9000 Ag Quality certified. “Being certified has made us more dedicated to the quality of what we raise on our farm,” said Amy Wuthrich, Bloomfield. “We are more efficient and make better decisions because we have more information.” So do the consumers who buy cattle, sheep, corn or soybeans produced on the Wuthrich farm. The record keeping involved with certification makes it possible for each product to be traced from origin to consumption. Teens learn valuable skills because of Extension programs. Salah Salah was a high school student a year ago in an Extension basic financial literacy class when he began to examine his spending habits. He stopped spending $50 on gas each week and put two-thirds of that money into savings. “I am saving instead of spending money foolishly. This class was a real eye-opening experience.” |
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Livestock
producers view a manure spreader demonstration. 