Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
2/17/03
Contacts:
Colin Johnson, Iowa Pork Industry Center, (515) 294-2340, colinj@iastate.edu
Marty Schwager, Iowa Pork Producers Association, (515) 225-7675, mschwager@iowapork.org
Paula Chizek, Iowa Corn Growers Association, 515-225-9242, pchizek@iowacorn.org
Elaine Kenney, Iowa Soybean Association, (515) 251-8640, ekenney@iasoybeans.com
Sherry Hoyer, Iowa Pork Industry Center, (515) 294-4496, shoyer@iastate.edu
Grain and Livestock Producers Invited to Nutrient Value Meetings
AMES, Iowa -- Iowa grain and livestock producers are invited to either of two programs to learn about the mutually beneficial value to their operations of using livestock manure in crop production. The programs, "Swine Nutrients: Naturally Adding Value to Crop Production," will be held Tuesday, March 11, in Washington and Thursday, March 13, in Storm Lake. The events are sponsored by the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) and supported by Agribusiness Association of Iowa, Iowa Independent Crop Consultants, Iowa Manure Management Action Group, Iowa State University department of agronomy, Iowa Pork Industry Center (IPIC), Iowa Corn Growers Association and Iowa Soybean Association (ISA).
Iowa pork producer Steve Kerns said most growing crops need some form of fertilizer supplied to the soil to optimize stand and yield. Kerns, who also is an IPPA member from Clearfield, said this program will help producers learn about the benefits of using livestock nutrients as a source for meeting crop nutrient needs. These benefits can include economic value to both those who supply and those who use the livestock nutrients.
"We need to look at sustainable practice, and grain and livestock production both are vital to Iowa's economy," Kerns said. "Livestock producers rely on grain producers for quality feed inputs and grain producers rely on livestock to consume production and return valuable nutrients to the soil."
Both producer groups will gain a greater understanding of how to value the wealth of livestock nutrients produced in Iowa. At each location members of a local producer panel will talk about their individual experiences with buying, selling and applying livestock-derived fertilizers and with conducting on-farm research trials. Other presenters are Jerry Hatfield of the National Soil Tilth Laboratory, Antonio Mallarino and John Sawyer of the Iowa State University agronomy department, Tracy Blackmer of ISA and Chris Murray of USDA National Resources Conservation Service. Topics include soil fertility, manure application and sampling, yield response studies and nutrient management planning.
The meetings are set for 1 to 5 p.m. both days and will be held March 11 at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Washington and March 13 at the Conference Center in Siebens Forum at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake. There is no cost to attend the meetings and no preregistration is necessary. For more information, contact IPPA at (800) 372-7675.\
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Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability.