By Andi Anderson
Iowa Learning Farms is hosting a conservation webinar on June 25 at noon CDT that will focus on phosphorus usage and movement across Iowa’s landscape.
The session will be led by Elliot Anderson, an assistant research scientist at the University of Iowa and researcher with the Iowa Geological Survey.
Titled "Quantifying Iowa’s Annual Phosphorus Budget," the webinar will dive into research that tracks phosphorus inputs and outputs throughout the state. Anderson’s work evaluates phosphorus levels over a 25-year period, offering insights that affect Iowa’s economy, agriculture, and environment.
Phosphorus is an essential element in agriculture, and understanding how it enters and leaves the system is critical. Anderson’s study analyzed four input sources — fertilizer, manure, human waste, and industrial activity — and three output channels — crop harvest, animal grazing, and streamflow.
The research shows how the state’s phosphorus levels have changed over time, revealing important trends. “When we view phosphorus at a statewide scale, we can see considerable variability in nutrient transport from year to year, but typical activities in Iowa balance out to a phosphorus deficit,” Anderson said.
This data is important not only for farmers but also for conservationists, policymakers, and researchers aiming to manage soil health and water quality. The webinar will also explore how the total phosphorus stored in Iowa soils compares to annual inflow and outflow.
All participants, regardless of their background or profession, are encouraged to attend and engage by asking questions. This event is part of the ongoing Iowa Learning Farms webinar series, which continues on July 2 with a presentation on U.S. conservation practices by Alejandro Plastina of the University of Missouri.
Additional sessions will feature experts from Iowa State and Purdue University in July.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-sasiistock
Categories: Iowa, Sustainable Agriculture