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Dan De Vries, Prairie City
IMPROVING PROFITABILITY Research trials are crucial science for farmers BY CAROL BROWN
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he Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) On-Farm Network® represents research for farmers by farmers. The team conducts research on 250 to 300 farms annually. They ensure their tests on cropping systems and new technologies continue to be relevant to farmers. “Farmers are the greatest innovators, and we are always receptive to ideas from them on new practices and approaches,” says Scott Nelson, On-Farm Network director. “Farmers can improve profitability by either reducing input costs or by significantly increasing yields. The On-Farm Network is active in both
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areas to help farmers sift through products and technologies to find the best management practices for better soybean and corn yields.” The team is especially interested in using reduced tillage (e.g. striptill) and cover crops for better soil health. On average, Iowa loses about 6 tons of topsoil per year to erosion. This equates to each generation of a farm family handing down 1 inch less topsoil to the next. Although reduced tillage and cover crops require different management decisions, farmers must find ways to make these systems profitable and sustainable for future generations, Nelson says.
Cover crop combo
Dan De Vries has been conducting trials with the OnFarm Network on his farm near Prairie City in central Iowa. He is seeing improvement on his farm by using cover crops. “I can say that my soil tilth and organic matter are improving,” says De Vries. “Using cover crops in combination with no-till, I have fewer conservation challenges.” De Vries also uses cover crops for grazing which he sees as a significant benefit on top of his soil improvement.
