Iowa Ag Connection - Workshops Focus on Maximum Return for Fertilizer Dollars

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Workshops Focus on Maximum Return for Fertilizer Dollars
Iowa Ag Connection - 01/16/2020

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 producers maximize profits, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is hosting 17 workshops from the end of January through March called Soil Testing Interpretations and Recommendations: Maximizing Return on Investment.

Young small corn plant seedlings in soil by Bits and Splits/stock.adobe.com.ISU Extension and Outreach field agronomist Josh Michel said the workshops will lead farmers through the basics of soil testing, analytical tests, calculating crop nutrient removal, understanding return on investment from fertilizer applications, how crop response correlates to soil test levels and what is known about crop response to micronutrients.

"These workshops provide producers the skills to best allocate fertilizer input dollars on their farms," said Virgil Schmitt, field agronomist with ISU Extension and Outreach. "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, said Rebecca Vittetoe, another ISU Extension and Outreach field agronomist, who will be presenting.

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

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

Jan. 28, ISU Extension and Outreach Madison County Office, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Registration is $20 per person and pre-registration is required by Jan. 24. Enrollment is limited to 30. Call the Madison County office at 515-462-1001. Meeting sponsored by the Iowa Farm Bureau.

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

Jan. 31, Jefferson County Activities Building, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Registration is $10 per person and pre-registration is required by Jan. 29. Enrollment is limited to 30. Call the ISU Extension and Outreach Jefferson County Office at 641-472-4166. Meeting sponsored by Libertyville Savings Bank.

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

Feb. 7, Poweshiek Water Association, Brooklyn, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Registration is $10 per person and pre-registration is required by Feb. 5. There is no registration cost for Corn Grower Members, but RSVP by Feb. 5. Enrollment is limited to 30. Call the ISU Extension and Outreach Poweshiek County Office at 641-623-5188. Meeting sponsored by Iowa Corn Growers.

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

Feb. 13, ISU Extension and Outreach Ringgold County Office, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. There is no registration fee, but for questions or to RSVP, call the Ringgold County office at 641-464-3333.

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

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

Feb. 19, ISU Extension and Outreach Adair Office, 10 a.m. to noon. There is no registration fee, but for questions or to RSVP, call the Adair County office at 641-743-8412.

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

Feb. 21, ISU Extension and Outreach Marion County Office, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Registration is $40 per person and pre-registration is required by Feb. 19. Enrollment is limited to 30. Call the Marion County office at 641-842-2014. Meeting is sponsored by the Iowa Corn Growers.

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

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

Feb. 28, ISU Extension and Outreach Cass County Office, 10 a.m. to noon. There is no registration fee, but for questions or to RSVP, call the Cass County office at 712-243-1132.

March 13, ISU Extension and Outreach Plymouth County Office -- Le Mars Convention Center, Board Room, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Registration is $40 per person and pre-registration is required by March. 9. Enrollment is limited to 25. Call the Plymouth County office at 712-546-7835.

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

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