Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture

On The Ground with the Leopold Center Archive


Evaluating Denitrifying Bioreactors

Alok Bhandari, professor in the Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering department, is researching denitrifying bioreactors as a method of removing nitrates from drainage water and as a nitrogen management option for farmers in Iowa. Filmed June 2009.

Feeding DDGs in Forage-Based Beef Systems

Don Loy, ISU Extension beef specialist, is examining the costs and advantages of feeding DDGs to cattle in forage based beef systems. He is working with three Iowa beef producers in this project. Filmed June 2009.

Adding Perennials to an Annual Landscape

Matt Helmers, water quality engineer in the Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Department, is working with a team of ISU researchers to grow prairie strips alongside row crops to improve water and soil quality. They're working in 14 small watersheds surrounding the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge in Jasper County. Filmed November 2008.

Developing the Portfolio: Biomass Options

Lisa Schulte, assistant professor in the Natural Resource Ecology and Management Department, is testing alternative cropping systems - from triticale to trees - that farmers might add to their portfolio of cellulosic biomass feedstock. She's measuring all aspects of each system, from yields to water quality and plant and insect diversity. Filmed October 2008.

Forage Diversity, the Spice of Life in Southern Iowa

Brian Petersen and John Klein from the Natural Resources Conservation Service are increasing the management options for southern Iowa graziers. The forage and legume mixed pastures at the 10-year-old Adams County CRP Research and Demonstration Farm are diverse and can nearly handle year-round grazing. Filmed September 2008.