Peter O'Brien, research agronomist with the USDA Agricultural Research Service, will be the featured speaker during the Aug. 24 Iowa Learning Farms conservation webinar taking place at noon CDT. O'Brien's research is focused on evaluation of different strategies to diversify agriculture in the corn belt in space and time. His studies aim to quantify the effects of those strategies on crop production, environmental quality and long-term systemwide resilience.
Iowa Learning Farms is an Iowa State University Extension and Outreach conservation and water quality education program.
"Cover Cropping and Tillage Show Mixed Results on Nitrogen Losses," O'Brien will share the results of field studies designed to measure crop yields, nutrient losses and long-term impacts of cover crop and no-till practices. He will discuss the studied assessments of nitrate losses, nitrous oxide emissions and crop production in field systems. In addition, O'Brien will cover trade-offs and balanced approaches to management practices that can address environmental goals without sacrificing yield.
"There is great demand for environmentally sustainable farming, but it is important to remember that there is no single practice or strategy that fits all needs or addresses all issues," said O'Brien. "Our results show that rye cover crops provide good outcomes in reducing nitrate losses to drainage, but achieving all of our environmental quality goals requires approaches that incorporate multiple practices. I hope that participants in this webinar will come away with a better understanding of how the interaction of tillage practices and cover cropping can have a major effect on both crop production and environmental quality endpoints."
Participants in Iowa Learning Farms conservation webinars are encouraged to ask questions of the presenters. People from all backgrounds and areas of interest are encouraged to join.
To participate in the live webinar, shortly before noon CDT, Aug. 24:
Click this URL, or type this web address into your internet browser: https://iastate.zoom.us/j/364284172. Or, go to https://iastate.zoom.us/join and enter meeting ID 364 284 172.
Or, join from a dial-in phone line by dialing +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 876 9923; meeting ID 364 284 172.
The webinar will also be recorded and archived on the ILF website, so that it can be watched at any time. Archived webinars are available at https://www.iowalearningfarms.org/page/webinars.
A Certified Crop Adviser board-approved continuing education unit has been applied for. Those who participate in the live webinar are eligible. Information about how to apply to receive the CEU will be provided at the end of the live webinar.
Upcoming webinars in the series:
Aug. 31: Billy Beck, Iowa State University.
Sept. 7: Emily Waring, USDA Agricultural Research Service.
Sept. 14: Brian Dougherty, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
Sept. 21: Trisha Moore, Kansas State University.
Categories: Iowa, Crops, Education