Andy Petersen of the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network (former host of The Big Show) guest hosts on the topic of sustainable agriculture practices for 2024. Petersen speaks with Jolene Riessen, President of the Iowa Corn Growers Association and Melissa Miller, Project Director of the Iowa Nitrogen Initiative. The discussion focuses on carbon capture in 2024, sustainable farming practices, and policy initiatives around E15.
Riessen, President of the Iowa Corn Growers Association, highlighted the importance of carbon capture for ethanol production, stating, “We need to get those carbon pipelines or some type of carbon capture to help us get our C.I. scores down.” Riessen emphasized the potential of sustainable aviation fuel as a significant market for corn farmers.
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Riessen also shared insights into her farming practices, including no-till farming, cover crops, and manure utilization, which have led to her farm being a negative carbon emitter. “I’m actually a negative, negative carbon emitter,” she said, underscoring her commitment to sustainability.
The podcast also featured discussions on policy perspectives, particularly the year-round E15 initiative. Riessen argued that E15 is beneficial for air quality improvement, decarbonization, and providing consumers with cheaper fuel options.
Melissa Miller, Project Director for The Iowa Nitrogen Initiative, discussed the complexity of the project and the importance of communication with farmers and partners. The initiative aims to optimize nitrogen application rates, considering various factors like tillage, planting date, and manure history.
Special thanks to our friends at The Iowa Agri Business Radio Network for contributing to this episode.
Alex Schaffer, Conservation Agronomist with the Research Center for Farming Innovation, discussed the significance of nutrient management in agriculture. He shared his background in agricultural research and his role in on-farm research with the Iowa Soybean Association.
Brent Friest, a participant in the Iowa Nitrogen Initiative, shared his experience with the program. He emphasized the importance of finding the right nitrogen application rate, saying, “We know that we can raise nitrogen off a low amount of nitrogen. It just wears that sweet spot to get the maximum return.”
The episode underscored the ongoing efforts in Iowa’s agricultural community to embrace sustainable practices and innovative technologies for a more efficient and environmentally friendly farming future.