Better data → better information → better decisions

Chief Executive Officer, Iowa Soybean Association

Ihope this issue finds you and your family staying safe as you continue to plant another year’s crop. Now, more than ever, the world needs Iowa’s farmers to do what you always do – produce safe and abundant food to feed a hungry world. Here at the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) office, we are doing our best to make sure that our efforts to support farmers, represent their interests, provide insights and information, expand and increase demand for soybeans and soy products — all while continuing to provide timely and useful agronomic information — remains our focus. ISA remains “Driven To Deliver” even in these most uncertain times.

Ten years ago, when ISA cut the ribbon on our new office building in Ankeny, we also opened our in-house certified water laboratory. As the only agriculture organization in the country with such a facility, we were excited for all that we would be able to gain from this investment. Ten years and more than 30,000 water samples later, what have we learned?

First, having our own certified lab has allowed ISA to serve as a trusted source for water quality data and information instead of having to rely on third parties or data from groups that may not have the farmers’ best interests in mind. Our lab, and our dedicated staff, confidentially collect and analyze data from individual farm fields and drainage systems as another source of management information for individual farmers to consider.

Additionally, when aggregated with data from other farmers, we have a much better understanding of the cumulative impact various changes in management practices have on soil health and water quality. This aggregated data also gives us a powerful tool to engage in conversations with legislators, regulators, media and the general public based on data as opposed to perceptions and opinions.

Second, we have learned that improving water quality is a big challenge. We’ve learned that conservation practices like cover crops and bioreactors work. We have learned that river and stream conditions are highly variable and that farmers do indeed make changes to their production and agronomic practices when they have data. We have learned that in some locations in Iowa our water is good and, in some areas, not as good. These insights have allowed us to focus work and resources to address areas of greatest need and to build collaborative approaches in these identified areas. Better data leads to better information, which ultimately leads to better decisions.

In the years to come, ISA will continue to take advantage of our water lab as we work alongside farmers to meet the challenges of increased productivity while improving and enhancing water quality. I hope you enjoy reading this month’s Iowa Soybean Review and the updates on several water quality projects and initiatives underway. I encourage you to get involved and join us in these efforts.

kleeds@iasoybeans.com, Twitter @kirkleeds