Soil Management
While Iowa's rich soils are the backbone of its agricultural success, it is important to make sure we are looking at practices that help to minimize soil compaction, reduce soil erosion, and improve our soil heath and productivity.
Soil Management Tools and Resources
Timely Insights on Soil Management
-
November 3, 2026Content Author
As harvest is starting to wrap up in Iowa and the cooling temperatures are making their appearance right in time for fall activities, it’s time to think of our next field operation, anhydrous ammonia. Anhydrous ammonia is an effective nitrogen fertilizer for Iowa corn production, but successful application takes more than an open field and available equipment.
-
October 23, 2026Authors
Harvest is often a race against time. Delayed harvest can increase grain losses, reduce grain quality, and create additional weather risk. Wheeling on wet soils during harvest and grain handling may be unavoidable this fall. Iowa has received higher precipitation over the months of July, August and September than average. When soil is wet, the soil bearing capacity is weak, with top and subsoil layers vulnerable to soil compaction.
-
October 6, 2026Content Author
Harvest is underway across Iowa, and one of the biggest surprises this season may not be on the yield monitor. It is at the fuel pump. Diesel prices have increased sharply ahead of the 2026 harvest season, substantially increasing operating costs, making every tillage pass more expensive than budgeted for last winter. Harvest fuel costs are unavoidable; however, you may not need as much fall (or spring) tillage as you think to prepare for the 2027 growing season.
-
October 1, 2026Content Author
Farmers and landowners need a trusted advisor to help them site, fund and implement practices that protect water, soil and habitat resources. Did you know that Iowa has a conservation workforce of 70+ professionals, covering each corner of the state, who are ready to fill this need and help farmers at no cost?
-
September 23, 2026Content Author
The Iowa State University (ISU) Crops Team has announced its 2026–2027 winter programming schedule and opened sponsorship opportunities for industry partners to support agronomic, conservation, and farm profitability education reaching thousands of stakeholders across Iowa and in other states. Sponsorships support programs that deliver research-based information to the agricultural community.
Significant engagement and proven impact from the 2025–2026 season include:
