Funds will soon be available to help farmers in the state of Iowa to install nutrient reduction practices. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey announced a cost share plan for first-time users of cover crops at $25 per acer, $10 per acer for not-till or strip till, and $3 per acre for using a nitrification inhibitor when applying fall fertilizer. … Read More
2014 Water for Food Report Released
Proceedings from the 2014 Water For Food Global Conference are now available for viewing. This annual conference was hosted last October in Seattle, WA by the Water for Food Institute and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The summary report provides a synopsis of the speakers and presentations relating to the theme: “Harnessing the Data Revolution: Ensuring Water and Food … Read More
CTIC Praises CNH for Sustainability
CNH Industrial, manufacturer of Case and New Holland farm machinery, recently released its 2014 Sustainability Report detailing sustainability in the company’s day-to-day business and plans for the future. CNH, through its Case IH division, has been a long-time member and active supporter of the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC). “Working with Case IH on projects ranging from conservation tillage demonstrations … Read More
Funding for New USDA Conservation Partnerships
In Colorado today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the availability of up to $235 million to improve conservation efforts through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). This will be the second round of projects funded through RCPP, the newest conservation tool of the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) included in the 2014 Farm Bil. “This is a new, innovative … Read More
USDA, Landowners Partner to Aid Gulf Recovery
Private landowners have become important partners with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to aid in the recovery of the Gulf of Mexico. This USDA news release says in the five years since the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, America’s farmers, ranchers and forest managers teamed up with the government to put proven conservation efforts on private lands to work to … Read More
June 1st for Conservation Compliance Certification
Farmers are reminded of the June 1st deadline to certify their conservation compliance. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) says producers are required to file a Highly Erodible Land Conservation and Wetland Conservation Certification form (AD-1026) with their local USDA service center by the deadline to become or remain eligible for crop insurance premium support. Most farmers already have a … Read More
NRCS Funds for Mississippi River Basin
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is investing $10 million this year in 27 new high-priority watersheds and 13 existing projects that will help improve water quality and strengthen agricultural operations. NRCS worked with state agencies, farmers and other partners to identify high-priority watersheds that align with established state priorities and have strong partnerships in place — and where targeted … Read More
Special Issue of Groundwater Monitoring & Remediation
The National Ground Water Association’s technical journal, Groundwater Monitoring & Remediation®, has published a special issue focusing on the monitoring and remediation of agricultural impacts to groundwater quality. Agricultural land use represents the largest nonpoint source threat to groundwater quality on a global scale. As a result of decades of fertilizer application and surface spreading of animal manure, chronic increases … Read More
Ag Conservation Easement Funding Announced
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Natural Resources Conservation Service chief Jason Weller today announced the availability of $332 million in financial and technical assistance through the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). “Conservation easements are an important tool to help these landowners and partners voluntarily provide long-term protection of our nation’s farmland, ranchland, wetlands and grasslands for future generations,” said Vilsack. … Read More
ASA Awards at #Classic15
The American Soybean Association (ASA) presented several awards during the annual banquet at Commodity Classic last week. Steve Berger from Wellman, Iowa received the 2015 National Conservation Legacy Award, designed Along with ASA, the program is co-sponsored by BASF Crop Protection, Monsanto, Corn & Soybean Digest magazine and the United Soybean Board/Checkoff. ASA presented Dr. Jim Specht, emeritus professor of … Read More