FINAL REPORT
This project included four sub-projects, and each had a key research question. Read more about Quantifying nutrient load reduction practices and export at field and landscape scales Oct 2024
This project evaluates geomorphic, hydrologic and biogeochemical processes associated with two-stage ditch construction in agricultural drainage systems to assess the effectiveness of natural channel design in improving water quality and sediment dynamics. The experimental study design includes two control reaches representing contrasting channel conditions: a periodically dredged trapezoidal channel (Control) and a minimally maintained, naturalizing two-stage channel (Natural). These reaches represent functional end-members of agricultural drainage ditch management in Iowa. Read more about Two-stage Agricultural Channels in Iowa's Drained Landsape to Improve Water Quality and Long-term Resilience Oct 2025
The first six months of our project were focused on continued engagement and design support with Polk County Extension and JEO Consulting as we refined the design of the two-stage channel near Chichaqua Bottoms. Drainage District 44 includes multiple drainage ditches with the final section flowing into the wetlands, oxbows and relic channels of the Skunk River. The design process has been highly collaborative with quarterly meetings to seek input on design from our project team as JEO developed the design and construction documents. Read more about Two-stage Agricultural Channels in Iowa's Drained Landsape to Improve Water Quality and Long-term Resilience Jan 2025
FINAL REPORT
What were the key research questions this project hoped to answer?
The main research questions of this project are how farmers respond to natural factors such as soil and weather conditions, as well as socio-economic contexts including market and policy incentives, and what the nutrient reduction potential is of various carbon initiatives.
FINAL REPORT
The main questions this project hoped to answer: Read more about Developing design criteria to test a new saturated waterway conservation practice Sep 2025
FINAL REPORT
The key research question this project hoped to answer:
Explore the impact of CR biomass accumulation on the corn yield drag, we will evaluate the effect of N at planting on: (i) corn seedling disease (ii) soil N dynamics, and (iii) corn growth, development, and yield.
Research findings: Read more about Can adjustments to nitrogen rates reduce corn yield drag and disease implications following a cereal rye cover crop? Sep 2025
FINAL REPORT
Key research questions this project hoped to answer: Read more about Assessing the effectiveness of spatial and temporal separation of a cereal rye cover crop from corn on nutrient reduction and corn yield. Sep 2025
During the no-cost extension period, we have tried to dig deeper into farmers’ adoption or disadoption of conservation practices that have significant nutrient implications. This part of our activity and findings is best described with the following title and abstract. Title: Exploring the Complementarity Between Traditional Econometric Methods and Machine Learning – An Application to Adoption and Disadoption of Conservation Practices. Read more about Spatially delineated carbon credit potential and implied nutrient reduction co-benefit: An assessment with integrated ecological and economic modeling framework Sep 2025
In the Jan-June 2025 reporting period we completed the following activities:
Project 1: Monitoring and Evaluation of a New Saturated Waterway Conservation Practice • Bi-weekly sampling of monitoring wells at Clark Porter’s grassed waterway • Installed pressure transcoders in 10 grassed waterway wells • Continued real-time monitoring of Clark Porter’s grassed waterway • Bromide tracer study at Clark Porter’s grassed waterway Read more about Quantifying Nutrient Load Reduction Practices at Multiple Field Sites Sep 2025
