By Andi Anderson
Farmers and conservation professionals will have an opportunity to strengthen their understanding of soil and nutrient management at a Sept. 25 workshop in Ames, Iowa, focused on the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation 2 (RUSLE2) and the Iowa Phosphorus Index.
The event is a collaborative effort between the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
According to Kapil Arora, ISU Extension field agricultural engineer, RUSLE2 is a valuable tool for calculating soil loss in specific fields and is also an essential component in determining the Iowa Phosphorus Index.
Both tools are central to designing conservation strategies and meeting environmental management requirements.
The morning session will guide participants through software installation, dominant critical area analysis, and RUSLE2 operations. In the afternoon, sessions will cover ephemeral and gully erosion and updates to the Iowa Phosphorus Index.
These updates are especially relevant for manure management and nutrient management plans under Iowa DNR guidelines.
Instruction will be led by experts including Arora; Dan Andersen, ISU associate professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering; Chandra Shaw, USDA–NRCS resource conservationist; and Jeremy Klatt, senior environmental specialist with Iowa DNR.
The workshop qualifies for six Certified Crop Advisor credits (five in soil and water management and one in nutrient management) and three Professional Development Hours. Certificates of participation will be issued upon completion.
Registration is open until Sept. 17 at a cost of $225, which includes materials, lunch, and refreshments. Late registration will incur an additional fee.
Attendance is limited to 30 participants and will be held at ISU’s Digital Ag Innovation Lab, 3800 University Blvd., Ames. A Windows-compatible computer with Microsoft Excel and a USB port is required.
This workshop provides producers with hands-on tools and knowledge to better manage soil erosion, protect water quality, and enhance nutrient management practices across Iowa farmland.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-zoran-zeremski
Categories: Iowa, Education