AMES, Iowa — Edge-of-field practices play a key part in conservation and nutrient management. In an effort to help farmers choose the best practices for their land, Iowa Learning Farms will host a webinar on Wednesday, Oct. 7 at noon about using decision trees.
Edge-of-field practices, such as bioreactors, saturated buffers and wetlands, can effectively address water quality concerns, but it is important to select the right practice for your site and goals.
Chris Hay, senior manager-production systems innovation with the Iowa Soybean Association, will cover the basics of edge-of-field practices and some of the siting considerations. Hay will also discuss decision trees that can help farmers, landowners and conservation professionals select an edge-of-field practice.
The decision trees were developed as part of the Whole Farm Conservation Best Practices Manual. The full manual is available as a free download from the Iowa State University Extension Store or the Iowa Learning Farms website. “Edge-of-field practices are some of the best performing water quality practices, but it can be confusing to know what practices will work at a particular site,” said Hay. “These newly developed decision trees can help both farmers and conservation professionals select edge-of-field practices that best match their situation.”
To participate in the live webinar, shortly before noon on Oct. 7, 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 learning farms website, so that it can be watched at any time.
A Certified Crop Adviser board-approved continuing education unit has been applied for, for those who are able to participate in the live webinar. Information about how to apply to receive the unit (if approved) will be provided at the end of the live webinar.
— Jacqueline Comito and Hilary Pierce, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
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