Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons™
Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
- Publication
Articles 1 - 3 of 3
Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Winter Grazing Management, Stephen K. Barnhart, James R. Russell, Douglas L. Karlen, Michael J. Tidman
Winter Grazing Management, Stephen K. Barnhart, James R. Russell, Douglas L. Karlen, Michael J. Tidman
Douglas L Karlen
Why winter grazing? Beef cow herd and sheep flock records show that winter feeding costs are livestock producers' single largest production expense. Managing through winter weather while keeping feeding costs low is an essential part of maintaining a profitable operation. Iowa's climate generally allows forage growth only during a 7-to-8 month period. Extending the grazing of this forage--even an extra 3 or 4 weeks in late autumn and winter--is an economical way to maintain or increase livestock profitability. Some producers extend the grazing season by using stockpiled forage, whereas others use crop residue, and many combine the use of stockpiled …
Wait Until Soil Temps Drop Before Applying Anhydrous Ammonia, John E. Sawyer, Barbara Stewart, William Ehm
Wait Until Soil Temps Drop Before Applying Anhydrous Ammonia, John E. Sawyer, Barbara Stewart, William Ehm
John E. Sawyer
With the early harvest, Iowa’s conservation leaders are encouraging farmers to wait until soil temperatures lower before applying anhydrous ammonia (NH3) this fall. Anhydrous ammonia applied before daily soil temperatures remain below 50 degrees Fahrenheit and continue trending lower can result in the nitrogen loss that can impact crop development and have negative environmental impacts, such as enhanced leaching into groundwater and streams once converted to nitrate.
Wet Conditions And Change In Soil Profile Nitrate, John E. Sawyer
Wet Conditions And Change In Soil Profile Nitrate, John E. Sawyer
John E. Sawyer
I wrote an ICM News article February 21, 2013, that provided a summary of fall soil profile nitrate sampling results following the 2012 corn harvest. As I cautioned in that and other articles, the amount of nitrate-N that might remain for a 2013 corn crop depends on springtime rainfall. Unfortunately, much of Iowa has received considerable precipitation since soils thawed, especially the eastern two-thirds of Iowa. The two maps of the Midwest region show the total precipitation and deviation from normal since March 7, 2013. Tile lines are flowing again, and nitrate in the profile will move with percolating water. …