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The U.S. Department of Agriculture is predicting record levels of soybean production in 2013, following a trend of increased soybean yields in recent years. This trend can be attributed to groundbreaking research carried out by Midwestern scientists. Continue reading
In a study released by the Environmental Working Group, an estimated 7.2 million acres of wetlands and fragile lands were converted to cropland in 4 years.
The advocacy group, using mapping and geospatial technologies, found in Iowa, only two counties, Taylor and Adair, saw between 2,500 and 5,000 acres of wetland and wetland buffers converted to cropland.
These findings are linked to Congress's actions concerning a new farm bill:
"The data strongly suggest that over-subsidized crop insurance policies are greasing the wheels of conversion to row crops," said Craig Cox, EWG's senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources. "The government is picking up too much of the risk of plowing up and planting fragile land, all at a cost of billions of dollars to taxpayers and untold environmental degradation."
To learn more about the study and the possible repercussions, follow this link.
Conservationist and author of the book "Green Illusions: The Dirty Secrets of Clean Energy and the Future of Environmentalism," Ozzie Zehnerspoke with Iowa Public Radio yesterday about the negative effects electric cars have on the environment, highlighting that they can have an even worse impact on the environment than average cars. Continue reading
Bruce Rastetter, President of the Iowa Board of Regents and CEO of the Summit Group, wrote an opinion article in the Des Moines Register last week detailing the importance of continued agricultural progress and providing his thoughts on the best way to accomplish such progress. Continue reading
This week's On the Radio segment covers Des Moines' actions in meeting the high nitrate levels in their river water. Continue reading for the transcript, or listen to the audio here: Continue reading
The proposed removal of the Quaker Mill dam near Manchester and the repair of a breached levee should be highly favorable to all parties involved, according to backers of the project. They predict that it will benefit the environment, recreational users, local government, and even the dam's owners. Continue reading
Thawing permafrost in the Arctic is predicted to release huge amounts of methane that scientists say could impact the economy. Researchers roughly estimate the cost at $60 trillion.
The impacts are more likely to be felt in developing countries.
"We are looking at a big effect," said Professor Peter Wadhams from the University of Cambridge, "a possibly catastrophic effect on global climate that's a consequence of this extremely fast sea ice retreat that's been happening in recent years."
To learn more, head over to the BBC's coverage.
This year's Midwestern Corn Belt has fallen behind with an estimated 1 percent departure in the states of Iowa and Minnesota. The delay is due to late planting caused by the cooler spring weather and wet conditions which took place this year.
The map above displays the estimated percentages of tasseled/silking corn during the second week of July for each state as well as averages for the past 30 years.
These estimates were valid as of mid-July. For now, the corn crop needs moisture and too hot or dry conditions may pose a great risk for damage on the yield.
To read the full report from the USDA NASS click here.
With this new addition, Iowa's Conservation Reserve Program enrollment is now up to 1.4 million acres.
The CRP is a land conservation program administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA). In exchange for a yearly rental payment, farmers enrolled in the program agree to remove environmentally sensitive land from agricultural production and plant species that will improve environmental health and quality.
Contracts for land enrolled in CRP are 10-15 years in length. The long-term goal of the program is to re-establish valuable land cover to help improve water quality, prevent soil erosion, and reduce loss of wildlife habitat.
To learn more about the recent addition, follow this link.
Senior Fellow with the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy in Minneapolis, Dennis Keeney wrote an opinion article in the Des Moines Register last week outlining that soil being one of the most important resources of Iowa's agriculture, is also one of the most neglected resources. Continue reading
Source: https://iowaenvironmentalfocus.org/2013/07/
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