Extension Communications 3614 Administrative Services Building Ames, Iowa 50011-3614 (515) 294-9915

10/24/03

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
Mahdi Al-Kaisi, Agronomy, (515) 294-1923, malkaisi@iastate.edu
Jean McGuire, Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515) 294-7033, jmcguire@iastate.edu

Farmland Conservation Planning for 2004

AMES, Iowa -- Iowa State University agronomist Mahdi Al-Kaisi recommends that Iowa farmers include conservation planning as part of their 2004 management matrix.
"Right now is the best time to conduct an annual review of conservation plans, based on field observations and the outcomes seen over the past growing season, and several issues need to be addressed when examining conservation plans for 2004," says Al-Kaisi.

"First, baling stalks and stubble is a tempting -- sometimes necessary -- choice in operations with livestock," Al-Kaisi said. "But even the best baling strategies could put crop residue targets at risk. The minimum requirement to meet a sound conservation plan is at least 30 percent residue on the soil surface after planting next spring."

Farmers should evaluate residue density and the quality of the residue prior to baling. Considerations include leaving a good stand of stalks to help trap snow and evaluating the residue distribution across the field before baling. Finally, leave all the residue on steep slopes.

Tillage is another issue Al-Kaisi cites as critical. "Most conservation plans leave crop residues undisturbed in the fall. For example, performing a primary tillage operation such as chisel plowing increases surface roughness and usually requires a secondary tillage operation to level the soil for planting. These two tillage operations alone will dramatically reduce the amount of residue left at planting. Before making the decision to go ahead with tillage, producers should make certain there is a valid reason -- with specific and measurable benefits -- to do so."

Another component of the 2004 planning process is nutrient management, particularly following the dry season that Iowa producers experienced, where yields were generally lower than normal. There may be significant residual amounts of nutrients left in the soil, especially for P and K. These nutrients need to be accounted for in next season's fertilizer applications.

As Iowa producers finish the 2003 harvest and move into decision-making time for the 2004 growing season, reduced P input, along with residue management and tillage planning, can provide a conservation planning approach that meets the environmental and economic goals of any farming operation.

Conservation planning decisions made now will affect soil erosion in a farming operation over the next several years. Al-Kaisi recommends that farmers use the time after harvest to gather information and make sound decisions about conservation.

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Funding support provided by USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service through Cooperative Agreement No. 74-6114-10-03.

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