Webinar topic: nitrogen efficiency

   An Iowa Learning Farms webinar, “Improving On-farm Nitrogen Use Efficiency Through the Iowa Nitrogen Initiative,” will be Wednesday, July 13 at noon.

   It will feature Mike Castellano, professor of agronomy; and William T. Frankenberger, professor of soil science; at Iowa State University. Castellano’s research, teaching and outreach apply a systems approach to improving resource use efficiency on farms in Iowa.

   In the webinar, Castellano will discuss recent studies showing dramatic variability in optimum nitrogen rates – as much as 100 percent from field-to-field and year-to-year. Highlighting factors such as genetics, management practices, environment and weather, he will address methods of forecasting optimum nitrogen fertilizer rates for productivity, profitability and environmental performance. He will also discuss how a systems approach reduces nitrogen losses to the environment while supporting crop performance.

   “Nitrogen fertilizer is one of the most expensive inputs to crop production, but utilization efficiency can be quite low,” said Castellano.

   “We are striving to understand how to improve nitrogen use efficiency that optimizes production while reducing environmental impacts. The complexity of the problem is daunting, but our research is providing substantial inputs to inform system improvement strategies.”

   Participants in Iowa Learning Farms Conservation Webinars are encouraged to ask questions of the presenters. People from all backgrounds and areas of interest are encouraged to join.

   To participate, shortly before noon July 13, go to https://iastate.zoom.us/join and enter meeting ID: 364 284 172.

   The webinar will also be recorded and archived on the ILF website, so that it can be watched at any time. Archived webinars are available at: https://www.iowalearningfarms.org/page/webinars.

   A Certified Crop Adviser board-approved continuing education unit (CEU) has been applied for. Those who participate in the live webinar are eligible. Information about how to apply to receive the credit will be provided at the end of the live webinar.

   Iowa Learning Farms is an Iowa State University Extension and Outreach conservation and water quality education program.