Stewarts host soil and water conservation field day

By James Grob, jgrob@charlescitypress.com

Ron Stewart said that changing farming practices to a more environmentally-friendly corn and soybean production system has definitely made a difference for him.

“The biggest point I’m trying to make is, don’t be afraid to try something new,” Stewart told a gathering of about 50 farmers on Wednesday at his home near Floyd. “You might fail at first, but don’t quit. Figure out why and determine what works best for you.”

Ron and Theresa Stewart hosted a Charles City Watershed Project Field Day event on Wednesday to highlight their production system and discuss some its advantages.

“What we’re trying to highlight today is the soil and water conservation system that Ron and Theresa use,” said Doug Johnson, the Charles City Watershed Project coordinator for the Floyd County Soil and Water Conservation District. “Primarily, cover crop, strip till and no till and a precision/progressive nutrient management program.”

Johnson said that most of the practices that the Stewarts use are practices that he’s been emphasizing in the Charles City Watershed Project.

“We are reducing the potential loss of nitrogen and phosphorus into the environment and keeping it in the soil and in the plants, keeping it in the grain, rather than losing it down the drain,” Johnson said.

Stewart said he’s constantly trying new things and finding out what works and what doesn’t work, and encouraged others to do the same.

The event included a catered meal by Dugan’s Restaurant in Floyd. Individuals representing some of the products the Stewarts use also talked about what they had to offer.

Kathy Moen, a USDA resource conservationist, discussed building soil quality and soil health; Denny Dammen of Conklin Co. talked about nutrient management strategies; Grant Stewart discussed custom strip-tilling services; Jay Mathews, Leslye Horn and Dani Hoerman of AgVantage discussed precision farming and crop scouting services; and Nathan Shatek and Zach Mitchell, Farmers New Ag agronomy sales specialists, talked about cover crop management strategies and precision nutrient management services.