PRIMGHAR, Iowa — The most common element in the air is Nitrogen and second is Oxygen. Together they make up nearly 99 percent of the air we breathe. Lightning in thunderstorms or other chemical processes can also combine them into Nitrate.

Nitrogen is an essential element in protein and all life. Keeping it in the soil for crops to use is key.

With that thought in mind, ISU Extension and Outreach is planning a Focus on Nitrogen workshop at the Northwest Iowa Research Farm near Calumet on Aug. 21. Registration and coffee will begin at 9:00 a.m. and the program will conclude with lunch at noon.

Farmers and agronomists will hear the latest research on Nitrogen from corn and soybean plots around the state, and discover ways to optimize the fertilizer that we apply to our fields. Also, we’ll look at what each of us can do to protect the water that leaves our farm, and discuss other research being conducted at the Northwest Research Farm and other farms across the state.

Field Agronomists Joel DeJong and Paul Kassel, as well as myself (Kris Kohl, Ag Engineering Specialist) will host the event at the farm’s air conditioned shop. There is a $10 fee to cover lunch and materials. To register, call Joel at 712-540-1085 or email jldejong@iastate.edu. CCA credits are available to those who attend.

— Kris Kohl, Agricultural Engineering Specialist, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach

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