People interested in crop production in the southeast quarter of Iowa are encouraged to attend the annual meeting for the SE Iowa Agricultural Research Association, which will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 1 in the Johnson County Extension office in Iowa City. After a short business meeting, Kevin Van Dee, farm superintendent for the SE Iowa Research & Demonstration Farm, will give an update on research occurring on the farm.

 

Other presentations include: “Current Land Values - Can We Afford Not to Take Land Out of CRP?” by Mike Duffy, ISU Extension Economist; “How Can Biochar & Biofuels Benefit Iowa Farmers?” by David Laird, ISU Agronomy Professor; and “Mid Season Applications of Urea to Corn” by John Sawyer, ISU Extension. A free lunch will be available at noon sponsored by Hills Bank & Trust.

 

The SE Iowa Research & Demonstration Farm located near Crawfordsville is committed to providing unbiased research in collaboration with the Iowa State University Experiment Station, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and ISU Extension. Research has focused on pest management, manure and fertilizer management, conservation tillage systems, alternative cropping systems, and alternative soil drainage systems. Most of the research is focused on corn, soybean, and small grains, although a nut tree demonstration and prairie grass demonstration are also located on the farm. Research progress reports for the farm and nine other Iowa State University’s research farms are posted at http://www.ag.iastate.edu/farms/progress_report.php.

 

The farm is owned by a nonprofit association of local farmers and business people. Anyone interested in agricultural research in SE Iowa is encouraged to join the association. Membership dues are only $25 for a 5-year membership. Membership benefits include updates on research results, the opportunity to participate in research activities, and invitations to the farm field days.  Members also have the opportunity to serve on the board which provides guidance on research activities occurring on the farm.

 

The land for the SE Iowa Research Farm was purchased in 1987, and a recent successful fund-raising effort led to the purchase of an additional 75 acres, making a total of 273 acres.

For more information about the annual meeting and joining the research association, contact Jim Fawcett, ISU Extension Field Agronomist at fawcett@iastate.edu.