Matt Lechtenberg, Muchakinock Creek watershed project coordinator, can help landowners
Local Producers Invited to Learn About Cover Crops at Meeting
OSKALOOSA - Landowners and farmers who want to learn more about using cover crops can attend an informational meeting on Thursday, April 10 at the Mahaska County Extension Office. The meeting, held from 10:00 a.m. to noon, is hosted by the Muchakinock Creek and White Oak Lake watershed projects.
Tom Kaspar from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Soil Tilth Lab in Ames will be on hand to present his experience and research of cover crop use in Iowa. The presentation is free and includes a question and answer session.
"Over the years, the diversity of crops grown in Iowa has changed significantly. The majority of producers have gone to either a corn-soybean or continuous corn rotation," said Matt Lechtenberg, Muchakinock Creek watershed project coordinator. "The absence of small grain and forage crops, like oats and alfalfa, has resulted in a leaky system. This inadequate plant growth in the fall and early spring leaves the ground susceptible to nutrient loss and soil erosion."
Cover crops may be a way to "plug" the leaks by taking up nutrients and holding them until corn or soybeans are planted. Studies through Iowa State University Extension and the USDA-Agricultural Research Service (ARS) have shown that cover crops protect the soil and may used to reduce soil erosion, limit nitrogen leaching, suppress weeds and increase soil organic matter.
In these studies, cover crops have reduced nitrate losses by 60 percent over four years. Small grain cover crops can also reduce the number of early season weeds and provide mulch for continued weed suppression (ISU PM 1999). Cover crops also can help producers who have manure management plans lower their P-index.
For more information on the meeting, contact Lechtenberg at (641) 673-3476 ext 3.
Locals work to improve Muchakinock Creek
OSKALOOSA - As the Muchakinock Creek Watershed Project marks its third year, project leaders are noting the successes of local residents in helping clean up the creek.
Mahaska and Marion County landowners and residents have helped reduce the amount of pollution in the watershed, or the area of land that drains to the creek. Muchakinock Creek, which starts just southeast of Pella and meets the Des Moines River near Eddyville, is on the state's impaired waters list. Excessive sediment reaching the creek has made it difficult for aquatic life to thrive in the stream.
However, landowners and residents are working to clean up the creek. Since the project began, they have built almost 13 miles worth of terraces, which keep about 1,500 tons of silt from reaching the stream each year.
"That's about 100 tandem dump truck loads of soil," said Matt Lechtenberg, Muchakinock Creek project coordinator. "The terraces help keep the soil on farm fields, where it can help produce crops, instead of washing into the stream."
Landowners wanting to get involved with the project can contact Lechtenberg to see which conservation practices, like terraces, can work on their land. Currently, 75 percent cost-share is available from the project to help build terraces and ponds in the top part of the watershed.
"The people of the Muchakinock Creek watershed should be proud of what they've accomplished, and I know they're excited to see what else we can do for the stream," Lechtenberg said.
Another 26,000 feet of terraces are set to be built, and the project is working on reclaiming three abandoned mine sites in 2008. The Muchakinock Creek Watershed Project has also applied for additional funding to extend the project.
To learn more about the Muchakinock Creek Watershed Project, contact Lechtenberg at: (641)-673-3476 ext 3, or visit the Mahaska County Soil and Water Conservation District office at 2503 Todd St. in Oskaloosa. The office is located in the USDA-Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) building.
Bruxvoort working to protect Muchakinock Creek
Jerry Bruxvoort has accepted his call to duty, and he hopes others will also step forward.
The Muchakinock Creek farmer uses conservation practices to improve water in the creek and save valuable top soil.
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Matt Lechtenberg, Muchakinock Creek watershed project coordinator, can help landowners
Matt Lechtenberg, Muchakinock Creek watershed project coordinator, can help landowners install conservation practices to help preserve the creek for future generations.
More about Lechtenberg
For More Information
Local:
Matt Lechtenberg
Watershed Project Coordinator
(641) 673-3476
Matthew.Lechtenberg@ia.nacdnet.net
Mahaska County NRCS Office
Statewide:
Steve Hopkins
DNR Nonpoint Source Program Coordinator
(515) 281-6402
Stephen.Hopkins@dnr.iowa.gov
