A record number of Iowa farmers again signed up to install nutrient reduction practices on their farms through the Iowa Water Quality Initiative’s statewide cost-share program, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said last week.

More than 2,800 farmers from all 99 Iowa counties signed up to try cover crops, no-till/strip-till or nitrification inhibitors on more than 300,000 acres. The state will provide over $5 million in cost-share funds to match the estimated $9.1 million investment by Iowa farmers.

“We continue to see growing interest by farmers in using water quality-focused practices on their farm. Together, we are building a culture of conservation across the state, and it is encouraging to see farmers continuing to invest in these practices,” Naig said.

Participants include more than 1,000 farmers using a practice for the first time and nearly 1,800 past users who are trying cover crops again.

Farmers not already utilizing the practice were eligible for cost share for cover crops of $25 per acre, $10 per acre for trying no-till or strip-till and $3 per acre for using a nitrapyrin nitrification inhibitor when applying fall fertilizer. Farmers who had used cover crops in the past were eligible for $15 per acre in cost share. Cost share was only available on up to 160 acres per farmer.

While sign-up for this program has closed, farmers are encouraged to reach out to their local Soil and Water Conservation District office as there may be other programs available to help them implement water quality practices on their farm.

Crop insurance discount

One available program that farmers may want to consider is an incentive that provides a crop insurance premium reduction for farmers who use cover crops.

Through this program, farmers who plant cover crops this fall may be eligible for a $5 per acre premium reduction on their crop insurance in 2019.

Program information and the online sign-up and application process for farmers and landowners to certify eligible land for the program can be found at www.cleanwateriowa.org/covercropdemo.