Demonstrating Cover Crop Mixtures on Iowa Farmland: Management, Soil Health, and Water Quality Benefits

Research shows that Iowa contributes 10 to 17 percent of nitrogen and 5 to 10 percent of phosphorus delivery to the Gulf of Mexico. The Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy’s science assessment has indicated Cover Crops have the potential to mitigate nitrate-nitrogen losses by up to 31 percent as the living Cover Crops will readily take up residual fertilizer nitrogen and mineralized soil nitrogen between maturity and planting of cash crops. Cover Crops also have the potential to reduce phosphorus export by up to 29 percent through reduced soil erosion. This project will demonstrate and evaluate cover crop mixtures using emerging technologies and implement on 15 demonstration sites throughout Iowa; identify and address cover crop establishment and management challenges to help farmers achieve concurrent goals of a healthy ecosystem and maintaining top-end cash grain crop yields and profitability; and educate extension and outreach specialists, state and federal agency field staff, crop consultants and farmers about the soil and water quality benefits of Cover Crops.