Distilling the facts on water quality

I read with great interest the recent Des Moines Register story, “Record nitrate levels in Raccoon, Des Moines threaten Des Moines-area tap water.”  The simple truth is, there’s not one regulation that would have prevented the current spike in nitrates from the Raccoon River watershed, short of outlawing crop production in Iowa.  That’s exactly why the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Department of Natural Resources have drafted the Iowa Nutrient Strategy, a science and technology-based approach to assess and reduce nutrients to Iowa waters and the Gulf of Mexico. It will target efforts to reduce nutrients in surface water from both point and nonpoint sources in a scientific, reasonable and cost effective manner.

Weather patterns of extreme drought and extreme rainfall are taking their toll in Iowa and all watersheds see the impact.  During dry and cool periods like last fall, there is relatively little, if any, conversion of anhydrous ammonia to nitrate and movement of it from the soil or farm fields. Movement of nitrate is expected as the soil warms, especially after the first major rain events following a drought, such as we’ve seen since late April.  Of course, last fall was dry, so we did not see movement of nitrates to streams going back to September 2012, which is the usual concern in Iowa.

This spring turned out to be wetter than normal, with some areas seeing several inches of rainfall in a single day, resulting in the recent 14-day nitrate spike we are seeing right now.  A new record for Iowa April average precipitation was set this year at 6.52 inches, twice the normal about of rainfall and comfortably beating the old record of 6.25 inches, set back in 1999.

The good news is that the Des Moines Water Works “treated water quality” is safe for people to drink and use, according to current data on the DSM Water Works website.  Considering Iowa’s proud first-in-the nation crop production status, it’s also a sign of progress that this is the first time in six years that the nitrate removal plant has even been used.  Clearly, if we all do our part, farmers, homeowners, businesses and communities, we will all have a positive impact on Iowa’s watershed, keeping Iowa’s water safe to drink today, and for future generations.

Written by Rick Robinson. Rick is environmental policy advisor for the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation.

It takes a community to plant a corn field

A few weekends ago, my husband and I were driving back from what’s become our routine weekend trip to the home improvement store when we noticed that the parking lot at the nearby seed dealership was full of pick-up trucks.

Even though it was a Sunday, employees were working overtime to fill seed orders for farmers anxious to start planting corn and soybeans.

When planting season is in full gear, you’ll see tractor headlights crawling through the fields at night, as farmers try to get seed in the ground while the window of favorable weather is open.

Yet it isn’t just the farmers who are working to get this year’s crop planted. In rural Iowa, there’s a community of folks to support the farmers with whatever they need to grow a successful crop.

Farmers work with their seed dealers and agronomists to select the best seed varieties for their fields and to carefully apply crop inputs to protect the seed from insects, weeds and unpredictable weather.

Local co-ops provide fuel to run the tractors and fertilizer to support the crop’s growth. Farm equipment dealers fix machinery when it breaks down; and small-town hardware, farm supply and auto-parts stores are stocked with tools and parts for quick repairs.

In rural towns, restaurants prepare take-out meals for farmers who call in their lunch orders from out in the field. Local bankers secure financing to help farmers get the crop in the field, while lawyers and accountant offer financial and legal advice for farm businesses.

And don’t forget the teachers who educate the next generation of Iowa farmers. Plus, the hospitals and volunteer rescue squads stand ready to respond to a farm emergency, which unfortunately is always a risk when working around heavy equipment.

Of course, Iowa farmers can always count on their spouses, family members and friends when they need someone to drive to town for parts, bring meals or seed to the fields or check on cattle.

So while you may see a lone tractor out in the field planting the corn crop this spring, it actually takes a whole community to help plant the fields here in Iowa.

 Written by Teresa Bjork, senior features writer for the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation.