AMES, Iowa — The Iowa Learning Farms (ILF) conservation webinar taking place June 22 at noon CDT will feature Chad Penn, research soil chemist at United States Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Research Service (USDA-ARS) and Purdue University.
Penn studies nutrient transport, crop nutrient uptake efficiency, improvements in phosphorus fertility recommendations and thermodynamics. His work at the National Soil Erosion Research Lab includes utilization of the Phosphorus Transport Reduction App (P-TRAP) for phosphorus removal structure design.
Iowa Learning Farms is an Iowa State University Extension and Outreach conservation and water quality education program.
In the webinar, “Phosphorus Removal Structures: An Overview of Utility and Limitations,” Penn will provide a summary of phosphorus (P) removal structure design and functions. In addition, he will discuss what these structures can and cannot do, as well as providing examples of different designs and an overview of where they can be most effective. Penn will also cover the economics of P removal structure practices as well as the required inputs to enable proper design and successful implementation.
“High levels of phosphorus in soils can lead to excessive dissolved phosphorus in drainage water that can continue to contribute to P losses to surface waters for many years if not mitigated,” said Penn. “Traditional best management practices for nutrient loss reductions are not as effective for P as they are for nitrates. While not appropriate for every farm, dedicated P removal structures are a new ‘precision conservation’ practice, applicable in specific locations and situations. The P-TRAP software helps create custom designs that can draw down P levels in soil to safe levels across a variety of situations and sites.”
Participants in Iowa Learning Farms Conservation Webinars are encouraged to ask questions of the presenters. People from all backgrounds and areas of interest are encouraged to join.
Webinar Access Instructions
To participate in the live webinar, shortly before noon CDT June 22:
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:
Dial: +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 876 9923
Meeting ID: 364 284 172
The webinar will also be recorded and archived on the ILF website, so that it can be watched at any time. Archived webinars are available at: https://www.iowalearningfarms.org/page/webinars.
A Certified Crop Adviser board-approved continuing education unit (CEU) has been applied for. Those who participate in the live webinar are eligible. Information about how to apply to receive the credit will be provided at the end of the live webinar.
Upcoming Webinars in the Series:
6/29: Vince Sitzmann, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
7/6: Jane Frankenberger, Purdue University
7/13: Mike Castellano, Iowa State University
7/20: Chuck Burr, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
About Iowa Learning Farms
Established in 2004, Iowa Learning Farms is building a Culture of Conservation by encouraging adoption of conservation practices. Farmers, researchers and ILF team members are working together to identify and implement the best management practices that improve water quality and soil health while remaining profitable. Partners of Iowa Learning Farms include the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Iowa Department of Natural Resources, EPA Section 319 Grant Program and GROWMARK, Inc.
— Iowa Learning Farms
