No-till stops. But he’s always looking for areas to improve. But a field that has been in a cover crop, no-till or strip-till system for a few years. We need nutrient management plus conservation practices to meet Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy nontarget goals, which aim to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus loading into Iowa waters by 41 and 29 percent, respectively. Too many farms are now applying the same rate of N nutrients per crop across every acre. This includes the 4R Plus practices. Learn about each of the 4Rs and why it’s important to have a nutrient plan. Messaging. ”. The CNA Plus Academy was established in October 2017 to help aspiring Certified Nursing Assistants pass their state CNA test. What is 4R Plus? Benefits of Adopting 4R Plus Practices; 4R's of Nutrient Management; Soil Conservation Methods; 4R Resources. The 4R Plus approach to agricultural nutrient management—ensuring that the “right source” of nutrients is used at the “right rate,” “right time,” in the “right place,” and combined with appropriate in-field and edge-of-field practices—is posited to lead to win-win outcomes for farmers and the environment. Asking “Was the crop given the right source at the. Iowa Farmer Reports; CCA Courses;. TRIALLING definition: 1. AMES, Iowa — A study of Iowa farmers’ use of 4R Plus nutrient management practices offers insights into social, economic, and ecological influences on adoption that operate at both an individual level and within a larger, county-level context. Soil erosion in Iowa is occurring about 10 times faster than soil is being renewed, says Rick Cruse, Ph. A variety of 4R Plus practices are used on Iowa's landscape to enhance soil health, improve water quality and achieve a more productive crop now and in. This means that while roots grow year by year, the canes have a 2-year life span. Testing soil on a regular basis and using these indicators can help you best manage your crop and soil. Farmland is in short-supply, demand is high, and farm income is strong. There are 4R Plus practices that can be implemented on virtually any farm regardless of topography, such as 4R nutrient stewardship practices, cover crops and reduced tillage. Examples of the practices include: - Cover crops - No-till - Strip-till - Grass waterwaysIndividual- and county-level factors associated with farmers’ use of 4R Plus nutrient management practices. What is 4R Plus? Benefits of Adopting 4R Plus Practices; 4R's of Nutrient Management; Soil Conservation Methods; 4R Resources. More importantly, many farmers reported using one or more of the main practices that 4R Plus promotes. A close on the other side of a moving average is one of the easiest ways to trail your stop loss. 4R Plus is a nutrient management and conservation program to make farmers aware of practices that bolster production, build soil health and improve water. WASHINGTON, June 22, 2017 -- Preserving water quality while feeding another 2 billion people by 2050 is the challenge facing North America's farmers and its agricultural supply chain. Julius Schaaf, a fifth-generation farmer in Fremont County, was impressed by how well the 2021 corn and soybean crops performed given exceptional dryness early in the growing season that had him wondering if he’d be able to fill grain contracts. They put the additional time saved with the quick harvest to good use this fall to plant cover crops, get their strips tilled and even improve a waterway. The “Plus” component of the 4R Plus refers to highly effective conservation practices such as cover crops that complement best nutrient management practices and further reduce nutrient losses while retaining or improving soil. “No-till allows moisture to infiltrate much better than tilled soil because the soil isn’t. 4R Nutrient Stewardship emphasizes sustainability with a. Base Plus +G4 . the process of formally testing a…. While her father and grandfather started no-tilling before Fisher returned to the farm, she quickly went to work experimenting with other 4R Plus management practices. The annual survey of Iowa farmers is the longest-running survey of its kind. While industry and conservation organizations are. Farmers seeing positive impacts from 4R Plus practices. March 2020. Having a balance between soil health and 4R practices will be a key partIn this trial, 65 youth were randomized to receive HOP-C plus treatment as usual or transitional case management plus treatment as usual. Reduce drainage intensity with wider-spaced tile. This Program is a nutrient management and conservation program that equips Iowa farmers with the tools and resources to protect and enhance. This gives partners a feel for the software and some of its capabilities. Improve nitrogen management using 4R nutrient stewardship practices. ” More farmers must add 4R Plus The 4R Plus program is a stewardship effort using the right source of fertilizer, applied at the right rate, at the right time, in the right place. Field trials in 2019 started with nine Iowa farmers. Contact Us. She works with farmers across central and east-central Iowa, arming. By implementing 4R nutrient stewardship practices, you optimize the nutrients you apply to maximize plant uptake and minimize field losses. Account for nutrient credits from previous year to determine rate. etc. A good place to start is conservation. He believes cover crops can make a dramatic difference in keeping nutrients and soil on farms and out of. Iowa Farmer Reports; CCA Courses; 4R Practices Videos; 4R Practices Guides; Farmer Blog; Supporter Resources; Contact 4R Plus. Humboldt County, Iowa, farmer Doug Adams is pleased with near-trend corn and soybean yields, considering a wide variety of weather conditions through the 2019 growing season. Dustin Hoffmann - October 19, 2020 9:40 am. Canola 4R Advantage encourages farmers to initiate or advance 4R Nutrient Stewardship practices when growing canola. Collectively these conservation and stewardship practices are designed to help achieve healthier soils which produce higher yields now and in the future. Davis County farmer Roger Wuthrich was hoping to do some experimenting with cover crop mixtures this year, but due to the variable weather his farm endured during the 2020 growing season, he’s just happy the early seeded cover crops have emerged. Benefits of Adopting 4R Plus Practices; 4R's of Nutrient Management; Soil Conservation Methods; 4R Resources. 4R Plus practices allowed Zylstra to push the front end of the. Alongside her husband, AJ, they rely on 4R Plus practices to help reach their goal for continual improvement by enhancing soil health and. A study of Iowa farmers’ use of 4R Plus nutrient management practices offers insights into social, economic, and ecological influences on adoption that operate at both an individual level and. The 4R nutrient stewardship includes the right fertilizer source applied at the right rate, the right time, and the right place for a crop producing sustainable economic, social, and environmental outcomes. The Soil Health Institute has endorsed a number of soil health measurements. Address: The Nature Conservancy of Iowa 505 5th Ave #930, Des Moines, IA. The goal is to achieve a more productive crop now and in the future. Purpose. Farmers across Iowa are implementing 4R Plus practices to help ensure better soil health, higher productivity and cleaner water. Iowa Farmer Reports; CCA Courses; 4R Practices Videos; 4R Practices Guides; Farmer Blog; Supporter Resources; Contact 4R Plus. In December 2020, the federal government set a voluntary national fertilizer emissions reduction target of 30 per cent below 2020 levels by 2030. With more than 40 speakers, there was a lot of information to take in. “We asked them for their data, and in return. The 4R Plus program is a science-based framework to increase awareness and provide information on 4R nutrient stewardship and conservation practices in order to improve soil health, crop yields and. in Room 311. Farmers across Iowa are implementing 4R Plus practices to help ensure better soil health, higher productivity and cleaner water. 4R and Conservation Practices Based on All Iowa Landscapes. Iowa Farmer Reports; CCA Courses;. Schaaf is a firm believer that improving soil productivity is critical to producing more food. ” “And it’s all about getting farmers involved in telling the story of 4R […]Implementing 4R Plus methods will safeguard and improve the health of Iowa soil and water. With 60% of his corn crop harvested as of late October, Launstein was averaging around 245 bushels per acre. Address: The Nature Conservancy of Iowa 505 5th Ave #930, Des. That’s why we’re excited about the concept of “4R Plus” currently being implemented in Iowa. Smith says the NRCS office is a great resource. A study of Iowa farmers’ use of 4R Plus nutrient management practices offers insights into social, economic, and ecological influences on adoption that operate at both an individual level and within a larger, county-level context. Doug Carter farms in Audubon County. Similarly, 48% believed the practices had. m. • Tuesday, Jan. Contact 4R Plus. Join Iowa farmers and Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, Julie Kenney, as they make their business cases for healthier soils. (The information above is adapted from 4R Plant Nutrition. No farm is the same, so talk to your crop adviser, conservation district representative or Natural Resources Conservation Service expert about the 4R Plus practices that are best for your acres. Address: The Nature Conservancy of Iowa 505 5th Ave #930, Des Moines, IA 50309; Phone: (515) 244-5044. Harvest 2020: Sticking with 4R Plus Practices Long-term. The “Plus” in 4R Plus involves in-field and edge-of-field agronomic and conservation practices that increase the resiliency and health of your soil, retain nutrients and moisture for the crop, reduce soil erosion and runoff losses and improve water quality. They put the additional time saved with the quick harvest to good use this fall to plant cover crops, get their strips tilled and even improve a waterway. Multi-cropping is more than one crop harvested on the same field in the same year. Spring is an exercise in patience for farmers and it’s a virtue Jasper County Iowa farmer Roger Zylstra has practiced for many years. Twenty years ago he started planting cover crops after seed corn harvest to protect the soil. A year after launching, the 4R Plus program continues to add to the resources available to Iowa farmers and agriculture professionals. ACWA aligned with the 4R Plus program as one of the key elements of their work plan, especially for the purposes of training agronomy teams on conservation practices. What is 4R Plus? Benefits of Adopting 4R Plus Practices; 4R's of Nutrient Management; Soil Conservation Methods; 4R Resources. 4R and Conservation Practices Based on All Iowa Landscapes. The Bormanns made a conscious decision to farm more sustainable using 4R Plus practices and see value in protecting the soil. “There are several different programs and also incentives for certain watersheds. Farmers just need information, resources and encouragement to speed adoption. Implementing 4R Plus practices will help safeguard and improve the health of Iowa soil and water, which is important to the long-term quality of life for Iowans and sustainability of farming. 1a . In an anaerobic digester, manure is combined in the digester. 4R Plus. A 4R Nutrient Stewardship Plan tracks and records all crop management practices, including details on the source, rate, time, and place of every. • 6% reported they had used three 4R practices (right source, rate and time); and • Roughly 83% said they had used at least one in-field or edge-of-field “plus” practice. Farmers with vastly different topography benefit from no-till and nutrient management practices. Using the 4Rs allows you to keep the nutrients in the root zone and. By implementing 4R nutrient stewardship practices, you optimize the nutrients you apply to maximize plant uptake and minimize field losses. But a history of conservation practices that keep his soil protected gives him some peace of mind. Darin Stolte from Jones County, Iowa, is a 2016 4R Grower Advocate winner. AMES, Iowa – A study of Iowa farmers’ use of 4R Plus nutrient management practices offers insights into social, economic, and ecological influences on adoption that operate at both an individual level and within a larger, county. to ensure alignment between cross-border efforts. 4R Practices Guides; Farmer Blog; Contact 4R Plus. Using the 4Rs allows you to keep the nutrients in the root zone and available when the crop needs them the most during the growing season. Two and a half weeks start to finish was a quick harvest season for Kossuth County farmers Matt and Nancy Bormann. 4R is a sustainable farming practice that focuses on producing food in a way that is both environmentally friendly and economically viable. That's why we're excited about the concept of "4R Plus" currently being implemented in Iowa. By: 4R Plus July 2019. 4R Practices Guides; Farmer Blog; Contact 4R Plus. These practices help your soil remain productive, SOIL ORGANIC MATTER soil health Soil health is the continued capacity of soil to function as a vital Harvest 2021: Emphasize 4R Plus Practices in Cash Rent Discussions. AMES, Iowa – A recent report from the Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll at Iowa State University indicates that a major nutrient. By: 4R Plus October 2019. Farmers,. Increase perennials in row crop rotations to reduce both drainage flow and nitrate loads. ”. With more than 40 speakers, there was a lot of information to take in. DLE. While industry and conservation organizations are. Right rate, at the. The 4Rs of Nutrient Stewardship. By: 4R Plus March 2019. “Nitrogen has never been free or cheap. Encouraging non-operating landowners to take an active role in decisions that impact the long-term productivity of the farm can increase the rate that 4R Plus practices are deployed, said Mollie Aronowitz, director of sustainability. Address: The Nature Conservancy of Iowa 505 5th Ave #930, Des Moines, IA. The value of 4R practices are more evident each year. In the interview, Swanson said the people of Iowa can rest assured his operation is doing what it can to be responsible. Reason: Farmers need a compelling reason before they decide to implement the 4Rs on their farms. He farms in Washington County, one of the few Iowa counties not dealing with drought conditions on a regular basis in 2021. Matt and Nancy Bormann of Kossuth County in northern Iowa have developed a system that improves efficiencies on their farm while investing in their soil, which gives them more time to manage their family’s busy schedule. , director of the Iowa Water Center, encourages Iowa farmers to use 4R Plus practices to protect yields. Also on the 4R Plus website, see the Conservation Practices page for a description of the suite of practices that farmers can implement on their farms. D. The Heckman family says the economic benefits of 4R Plus practices help with the farm’s sustainability. Anaerobic digesters also digest organic materials to produce methane, but Sievers explains they take things a step further, harnessing the methane. 4R Plus, an organization that promotes using precise 4R nutrient stewardship along with conservation practices to improve productivity on Iowa’s farms while protecting our natural resources, has launched a social media campaign named “On The Plus Side” to showcase the benefits of adding in-field and edge-of-field practices. The following list is a small sample of events that relate to 4R Plus practices in Iowa. 4R Plus. Upadhaya and others published Individual- and county-level factors associated with farmers’ use of 4R Plus nutrient management practices | Find,. The 4R approach to agricultural nutrient management aims to ensure use of the “right source. D. 4R Plus. county-level social, economic, and ecological factors associated with 4R Plus practice adop-tion. Right time and in the. Address: The Nature Conservancy of Iowa 505 5th Ave #930, Des Moines, IA 50309; Phone: (515) 244-5044. ” To learn more about 4R Plus, visit ### About 4R Plus 4R Plus is a nutrient management and conservation program to make farmers aware of practices that bolster production, build soil health and improve water quality in Iowa. Address: The Nature Conservancy of Iowa 505 5th Ave #930, Des Moines, IA 50309; Phone: (515) 244-5044. Find more 4R Plus success stories or check out Robbins’ online store offering homegrown beef. 4R Plus systems may include:What is 4R Plus? Benefits of Adopting 4R Plus Practices; 4R's of Nutrient Management; Soil Conservation Methods; 4R Resources. ”. The 4R Plus framework is promoted as a win-win approach that can minimize farming’s impacts on water quality while maintaining or improving productivity. 4R Plus involves using precise 4R nutrient management along with conservation practices to enhance soil health and improve water quality. Thanks to a better understanding of soil management, you know that4R Plus is a nutrient management and conservation program to make farmers aware of practices that bolster production, build soil health and improve water quality in Iowa. After years of adding 4R Plus practices to improve soil structure, he’s more confident about pushing the front end of the planting window. On the steep hills of Harrison and Monona counties, Curt Mether has a cropping system that has stood the test of time. Launched by a grant from CF Industries, 4R Plus is being guided by a coalition of agricultural and conservation organizations as a part of the Iowa 4R Plus program to support farmers’ efforts to implement precise nutrient management and conservation practices that boost soil health, crop productivity, and profitability. Hickey explains that soil health and water quality start with the management. Address: The Nature Conservancy. The new 4R Plus initiative adds in soil conservation practices that enhance soil health and improve water quality, with the goal of achieving a more productive crop now and in the future. The “Plus” in 4R Plus refers to a suite of in-field and edge-of-field conservation practices that increase soil resiliency and help to keep nutrients on fields and out of adjacent water bodies. 4R Plus Practices Improve Farmer’s Profitability. He also relies on data to confirm his efforts with multiple 4R Plus practices to improve soil structure 4R Plus is having a positive impact concerning the adoption of 4R nutrient management and conservation practices, according to the recent Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll conducted by Iowa State University. Mollie Aronowitz is the director of sustainability and a land manager for Peoples Company. He shares the multiple Plus Side benefits he has discovered – like improved plant health – transitioning tillage practices and. The Hundley family started farming in 1935 in the Everglades Agricultural Area, one of the larger contiguous bodies of organic soil in the world. On the mostly flat landscape, the fifth-generation farmer now grows Iowa farmer adds soil. 4R Plus is developed by agricultural and conservation organizations as a part of the Iowa 4R Plus program to support farmers’ efforts to implement precise nutrient management and conservation practices. July 2021. management practices based on principles of the 4Rs. 4R Plus practices allowed Zylstra to push the front end of the planting window. Cash rental rates for Iowa farmland climbed an average of 4. He’s looking ahead to next season and trialing several different 4R Plus practices, including seeding rye cover crops into no-till soybeans and trying out new biologic technology in hopes of reducing nitrogen application. Now the soybeans are no-tilled, and for the first time this spring, some of their corn was planted into. Summer 2020: 4R Plus Practices Show Their Value Amid Varied Weather Davis County farmer Roger Wuthrich knows every growing season is different, but he dealt with some déjà vu at planting season. Despite it all, Tama County farmer Adam Nechanicky is looking forward to the next planting season, and implementing 4R Plus practices to continue to improve his soil. 4R Plus practices are more effective when they are targeted in areas with the greatest runoff, nutrient loss and soil loss. A large portion of the additional 5-million-pound reduction in nitrogen loads can be achieved with implementation of 4R nutrient stewardship practices. Contact 4R Plus. 4R Designation – Offering Sustainable Solutions. By: 4R Plus May 2020. 2019. Launstein reported in Grundy County, some of the state’s highest-rated farmland, he’s seeing an uptick in. The 2021 poll included questions about the 4R Plus program. Iowa Farmer Reports; CCA Courses; 4R Practices Videos; 4R Practices Guides; Farmer Blog; Supporter Resources; Contact 4R Plus. Harvest 2020: 4R Plus Practices Lead to Efficiencies Two and a half weeks start to finish was a quick harvest season for Kossuth County farmers Matt and Nancy Bormann. Joined:What is 4R Plus? Benefits of Adopting 4R Plus Practices; 4R's of Nutrient Management; Soil Conservation Methods; 4R Resources. Iowa Corn is hosting a panel discussion at the Iowa Power Farming Show January 29 and 30, 2019. D. The animal can digest roughage, corn, wet distillers’ grain and more. If it was built on one of the affected chassis, have it inspected asThe 4R Advocate program is one of many facets of a high-priority campaign to raise awareness and adoption of 4R Nutrient Stewardship practices. Since launching in February, we have remained focused on the goal of spreading the 4R Plus message. Managing plant nutrition according to principles of 4R Nutrient Stewardship includes accountability for all three dimensions of sustainability. There are 4R Plus practices that can be implemented on virtually any farm regardless of topography, such as 4R nutrient stewardship practices, cover crops and reduced tillage. Iowa Farmer Reports; CCA Courses;. In other words, the 4Rs promote recommended nutrient management best practices for any given farming context. 30, starting at 11:15 a. 4R Nutrient Stewardship (Right Source @ Right Rate, Right Time, Right Place ®) lets the world know when food has been sustainably grown. These practices help your soil remain productive, SOIL ORGANIC MATTER soil health Soil health is the continued capacity of soil to function as a vitalImportance of the “Plus” conservation practices. Cost Share Options. What You Need to Know About Implementing a Cover Crops Strategy. The 4R Plus questions for the 2021 Farm Poll survey were developed in collaboration with The Nature Conservancy, a key partner in the Iowa 4R Plus initiative. This is where he’s focused on finding solutions to integrate his crop and livestock systems, improve the soil and. If the recommended practices for each category are not used, it should be viewed as a risk based decision in consultation with the CFT and documented as such, identifying the associated. The "Plus" in 4R Plus relates to in-field and edge- of-field conservation practices that increase the resiliency of your soil and improve water quality. These materials provide an overview of 4R Plus, including the importance of nutrient stewardship and conservation practices to help Iowa reach its nutrient reduction strategy goals. “TFI’s 4R Advocates serve as real-world examples of how implementing 4R practices on a farm can positively impact the bottom line and provide environmental benefits. Mark Heckman of Heckman Farms is glad conservation practices like no-till and cover crops are well established, as they deliver benefits that make a difference. Michael Vittetoe is feeling fortunate as a result of his experiences terminating rye cover crops. A 4R plan is one of the requirements when applying. Farming through floods, drought and a derecho is an occupational hazard for farmers, but usually not all three in the same year. Fertilizers are seen as “chemicals,” and indeed, human-made chemicals do not have the best reputation. My goal was to add these practices and maintain an upward yield curve, and the pace of yield improvement actually climbed the first year. Here are our top 10 takeaways: Technology Crop sensor technology is good and getting better all the time but human scouting and “ground truthing” is still critical. By: 4R Plus. 1. He’s battled excess moisture at planting three years running on his southeast Iowa farm, but by late July, the crops needed a drink. The gentle rolling hills of Dubuque County are the perfect setting for Tim Daly’s corn, soybean and cattle operation. After the quiz, talk to your ag service provider or crop advisor about your personalized recommendations and discover what 4R practices might work best for your. Sep 2023; Suraj Upadhaya; J. Floyd County farmer Wayne Koehler’s 4R Plus journey started with a desire to diversify his crop rotation and minimize expenses. 4R Plus is a nutrient management and conservation program to make farmers aware of practices that bolster production, build soil health and improve water quality in Iowa. Variable weather is one of the reasons he uses 4R Plus practices – to weatherproof soil. Nitrate (NO 3 −) leaching has negative human and environmental health consequences that can be attributed to and mitigated by agricultural decision making. What is 4R Plus? Benefits of Adopting 4R Plus Practices; 4R's of Nutrient Management; Soil Conservation Methods; 4R Resources. The results have been impressive: increased organic matter in the soil, reduced fertilizer applications, reduced pesticide use, improved water quality, drastically reduced fuel and equipment costs from. 5% in 2021, the first substantial increase since 2013, according to Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. The benefits of 4R Plus practices are front of mind as farmers look ahead to the 2022 growing season, when pricey inputs will likely narrow margins. Photo courtesy of The nature Conservancy. The simple 4R ideas will gain most farms added yield. Iowa Farmer Reports; CCA Courses; 4R Practices Videos; 4R Practices Guides; Farmer Blog; Supporter Resources; Contact 4R Plus. 29, and Wednesday, Jan. But then the spigot turned off and temperatures soared during the grain fill period. The 2021 growing season produced some of the highest soybean yields Michael Vittetoe has ever seen. Saturated fields are a frustration to farmers that want to complete this. With the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy’s goal to reduce nitrogen and phosphorous loads in Iowa waters by 45 percent, farmers are looking for ways they can contribute to this goal. By: 4R Plus December 2019. “Some had been multi-cropping for a couple years, and some were rookies,” he explained. , survey of its. “This year, that sponge is holding the moisture as long as it can to support the crops,” he added. The 4Rs of Nutrient Stewardship. “That’s simply based on economics,” said Clayton Harder, who farms north and east of Winnipeg. ) 4R Plus looks at the whole system. Join the 4R Plus movement The more than 50 supporters of the 4R Plus program recognize it will take a combination of nutrient stewardship and conservation practices on farms to meet the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy nonpoint goal of reducing nitrogen and phosphorus loading into Iowa waters by 41% and 29%, respectively. Upadhaya and others published Individual- and county-level factors associated with farmers’ use of 4R Plus nutrient management practices | Find, read and cite all the. Krause and Spencer believe the landowner/tenant relationship is a partnership built on respect, flexibility, and honest, two-sided communication. Julius Schaaf is a fifth-generation corn and soybean farmer from the rolling hills of southwest Iowa. Dale Launstein of Grundy County is reaping the rewards of 4R Plus practices like strip-tilling corn, no-tilling soybeans into cornstalks and planting cover crops on all acres. ) In fact, Iowa has adopted its own version of the 4Rs that incorporates conservation practices and named it 4R Plus. 4R Plus Farmer’s Focus: Keep Soil From Moving Adam Nechanicky farms in Tama County. Address: The Nature Conservancy of Iowa 505 5th Ave #930, Des Moines, IA 50309; Phone: (515) 244-5044. The 4R Plus program, the Nutrient Reduction Strategy, cover crops, and so on. As with any change in management, challenges occur when trying new soil health practices. New Horizons for Conservation in Agriculture. Using the 4Rs allows you to keep the nutrients in the root zone and available when the crop needs them the most during the growing season. The 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program encourages agricultural retailers and independent crop consultants (nutrient service providers or NSPs) to adopt proven best. Working Smarter, Not Harder, to Reap Benefits of Soil Conservation Practices in North-Central Iowa. “I’ve noticed more wormholes in the soil thanks to no-till and cover crops. There are state, federal and other financial assistance programs available for implementing 4R Plus nutrient stewardship, agronomic and conservation practices, including the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, the Conservation Stewardship Program, the Conservation Reserve Program through USDA NRCS, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship Water Quality. Questions examined farmers’ awareness of the 4R Plus program, the potential influence of promotional efforts on their decisions to use practices, and their PDF | On Sep 5, 2023, S. Paige Frautschy with The Nature Conservancy says Iowa-based 4R Plus has launched a new initiative called “On the Plus Side. Consider economic, environmental, and social impacts. Iowa Farmer Reports; CCA Courses; 4R Practices Videos; 4R Practices Guides; Farmer Blog; Supporter Resources; Contact 4R Plus. Awareness of 4R has been steadily increasing among farmers and their crop advisors over the past decade. Murphy/Iowa Soybean Association. 4R Plus systems may include:He has a long history of protecting the soil from erosion by using 4R Plus practices like no-till and cover crops. 4R Advocates and other farmers have. Most ground is no-till, with a minimum of conservation tillage used; Contour farming is used on rolling ground; Plants cover crops and has ground in the WRP and CRP; Buffer strips, drainage ditches and grassed waterways; Tests soil in two-and-a-half-acre grids in the fall to determine nutrient plan for crop removal rateHe also believes 4R Plus practices used on the farm help keep soil productive. Industry is working toward development of balanced sets of indicators of economic, social, and environmental performance. To learn more about 4R Plus, please visit If you are a landowner ready to invest in your soil health and partner with an innovative Land Management Company, let an experienced. Reduce drainage intensity with wider-spaced tile. Mitchell County, Iowa, farmer Wayne Fredericks believes you have to practice what you preach “or you shouldn’t be out there preaching. Harvest 2020: 4R Plus Practices Lead to Efficiencies Two and a half weeks start to finish was a quick harvest season for Kossuth County farmers Matt and Nancy Bormann. Both ultimately impacted his yields, but he believes 4R Plus practices helped limit the yield losses from these extreme weather. 4R Plus website This website also has a blog featuring Iowa farmers and members from ACWA as guest authors. Address: The Nature Conservancy of Iowa 505 5th Ave #930, Des Moines, IA. Photo: Joseph L. The 4Rs focus on nutrient application, which is an excellent place to start, because getting applied nutrients recovered by crops is fundamental to. With 60% of his corn crop harvested as of late October, Launstein was averaging around 245 bushels per acre. By: 4R Plus November 2019. of performance levels to group practices provides guidance to growers and their crop advisors on the relative Rightness of practices for the crops and conditions in their region. This year, the system allowed for timely planting. Category Blog Cost Share Cover Crops Edge-of-Field Practice Hidden Nutrient Management Profits Regional Farmer Rented Land Results Soil Health Tillage Uncategorized Water QualityWhat is 4R Plus? Benefits of Adopting 4R Plus Practices; 4R's of Nutrient Management; Soil Conservation Methods; 4R Resources. Growers can apply for funding to help pay for best management practices (BMPs) in four areas: soil testing, field zone mapping consulting services, enhanced efficiency fertilizer (EEF) and preferred application. 4R Plus is a nutrient management and conservation program to make farmers aware of practices that bolster production, build soil health and improve water quality in Iowa. management and conservation practices to improve soil health and water quality - all while protecting their yields. For edge-of. “This might not be the most convenient plan. Other 4R Plus Resources. 4R Plus practices will help safeguard and improve the health of Iowa soil and water for generations to come. the role of psychological evaluation. By. Harvest 2020: Building on 4R Plus Practice Success. We provide online practice tests that simulate the official exam. OMB No. 4R Plus practices weatherproof soil. WTUI Conference March, 2015Implementing the 4R framework in the field often results in the question “What specific 4R practices I should do?” Precision ag practices like GPS mapping, grid or zone soil sampling, yield monitors, variable rate nutrient applications, and split nutrient applications, are all recognized as 4R practices (Snyder, 2016 and Bruulsema, 2017). Give-and-take needed to partner on 4R Plus practices. Iowa Farmer Reports; CCA Courses; 4R Practices Videos; 4R Practices Guides; Farmer Blog; Supporter Resources; Contact 4R Plus. 4R Practices Guides; Farmer Blog; Contact 4R Plus. He’s using anaerobic digesters to reduce greenhouse gas. "Cover crops complement the cow-calf operation; we have witnessed improvement in the soil’s water-holding capacity and utilize cover crops as a feed source. So, 4R practices also apply to organic farming. Keep Fields Covered to Protect Yields from Erosion. He farms with his parents and sister in Washington County, which was hammered with rain early in the season. Opinion research conducted earlier this year found that economics were the major driver in this decision process. 4R. . To improve sustainability, many crop management practices beyond crop nutrition become important. 4R Plus Supporters. The materials can be downloaded and shared to accelerate adoption of the practices that benefit our farms, our soils and our waters. A 4R Nutrient Stewardship Plan tracks and records all crop management practices, including details on the source, rate, time, and place of. But then the spigot turned off and temperatures soared during the grain fill period. This is very 1990. 13, 2020, Audubon County, Iowa, farmer Doug Carter explained to Dustin Hoffman, a farmer broadcaster with the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network, how 4R Plus practices like cover crops benefit the soil during a challenging year. Along with her husband, Brandon, the Doyles use an integrated 4R Plus approach on their Tama County farm. The use of a single 4R Plus practice, such as cover crops (Roesch-McNally et al. The 4R nutrient stewardship principles are the same globally, but how they are used locally varies depending on field and site specific characteristics such as soil, cropping. They put the additional time saved with the quick harvest to good use this fall to plant cover crops, get their strips tilled and even improve a waterway. This white paper reviews some of the best practices that Intronis recommends for installing, configuring and trialing Intronis Cloud Backup and Recovery. What is 4R Plus? Benefits of Adopting 4R Plus Practices; 4R's of Nutrient Management; Soil Conservation Methods; 4R Resources. By: 4R Plus November 2019. He and his wife Darla farm commercial and seed corn and soybeans and are focused on using 4R Plus practices, like waterways, no-till and cover crops, to protect their valuable investment so future generations can make a living on the land. Examples of the specific Tier 1 measures include nutrient levels, organic carbon, pH and available water-holding capacity. Specific questions about 4R Plus nutrient management and conservation practices for your farm likely are best addressed with your crop adviser, conservation district representative or Natural Resources Conservation Service expert. Toy4X4 and Thatbassguy like this. We are talking to an. At the individual level, the variable crop area was positively associated with pre - dicting use of all 4R Plus practices except Right Rate. However, there were some themes that emerged. “There are several different programs and also incentives for certain watersheds. Mark Licht is an Extension cropping system specialist with Iowa State University. 4R Plus is a nutrient management and conservation program to better inform farmers. Together, 4R nutrient stewardship and conservation practices can help farmers achieve healthier soils and ultimately a more productive crop now and in the future. The crop caught a nice 2-inch rain in August that was “probably a lifesaver,” he said. Article. 4R Plus Soil Health & Conservation Practices Today, the business case for healthy soils is stronger than ever. TRDLE New Member. Summer 2019: Improving Soil Structure Allowed for Timely Planting. What is 4R Nutrient Stewardship? Fertilizer is an important input for farmers providing nutrients to plants that are not readily available in the soil, helping farmers to foster plant growth and increase yields. He has diversified his crop rotation and minimized expenses. Variable weather is one of the reasons he uses 4R. Black Hawk County farmer Nick Meier is actively involved in Miller Creek watershed activities because he’s interested in the on- and off-farm benefits of 4R Plus. He learned a lot about the soil this year and made adjustments to his plans along the way. For more information on soil health. present participle of trial 3. Former USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack (far right) learns about Meier’s bioreactor. GLP ensures the quality and integrity of safety test data submitted to the government for the issuance of research. Launched by a grant from CF Industries, 4R Plus is being guided by a coalition of agricultural and conservation organizations as a part of the Iowa 4R Plus program to support farmers’ efforts to implement precise nutrient management and conservation practices that boost soil health, crop productivity, and profitability. especially for the purposes of training agronomy teams on conservation practices.