Nutrient management has re­­ceived considerable attention this past winter. Al­­though it may feel as if agriculture is being singled out here in Iowa, this is an important is­­sue throughout the Corn Belt and across the country.

We have observed significant improvements in the reduction of nutrients entering surface waters as evidenced with a 25 percent reduction in nitrates in the Raccoon River at Des Moines since 1999.

These reductions are the result of...