We have designed and installed a new research site at Iowa State University’s Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Research Farm, focused on poultry manure management for improved soybean yield, soil health and environmental resilience. The new site is located off of US-30 between the Central Iowa Expo in Boone and Iowa State University. The tile drainage system and sumps were installed in June 2021 and soybeans were planted as soon as the installation was complete. Soybeans were harvested in October 2021 and at the completion of harvest, rye cover crop was planted. Early winter manure application is planned for November 2021 and manure has already been delivered to the site by Farm Nutrients. Over the next year we will analyze yield, soil health, and water quality.

The goal of this project is to assess the benefits of manure application and cover crops on soybean yield, water quality, and soil health.

The outputs and deliverables of this project include the following:
1) Active dissemination of information from this project through existing Extension programs and other scientific outlets. We will present information from these studies at ISU Research and Demonstration Farms Field Days, state and regional Extension meetings, and Iowa Learning Farms events as appropriate.
2) Development of educational and outreach materials to be used by Iowa Manure Management Action Group
3) Semi-annual and annual reports will be submitted to ISA.
4) Peer reviewed journal articles will continue to be developed from our currently funded project and these new efforts.

The long-term outcome of this study would be to inform manure management and cover cropping management to optimize crop yield and environmental benefits and will directly benefit soybean farmers by providing strategies that reduce risk through yield stability and potentially yield increase. Further, these efforts will lead to fewer environmental impacts through less impaired waters, protected public health, and more sustainable agricultural systems. This information will be important for producers who are making management decisions and for state agencies that have responsibility for water quality. Producers will have valuable information to help guide management options while policy makers will have new information on manure management as part of watershed management plans.