Rea Landholm, gerente de marketing y comunicaciones de marca, [email protected], 402.687.2100 extensión 1025
NEVADA, IOWA – Iowa farmers identified potential regulation as a top concern when considering water quality practices, according to a Center for Rural Affairs report released today.
“Catching Waves: Farmers Gauge Risk to Advance Water Quality In Iowa,” examines perceived production and social risks to adopting water quality improvement practices in Iowa.
“Water quality is a contentious issue in Iowa,” said Katie Rock, policy associate at the Center, and author of the report. “Continued high nitrogen, phosphorous, bacteria, and sediment levels in surface waters threaten public health and outdoor recreation.”
The report breaks down data from a 2017 survey by the Center for Rural Affairs that polled Iowa farmers. Responding to the survey were 52 farmers representing 41 of the state’s 90 counties.
Results show weather and shifting climatic patterns are the largest perceived threats to farmers' operations. Respondents identified agricultural consolidation, fluctuating commodity prices, and nutrient and soil loss as other top concerns.
A majority of farmers reported they do not feel social pressure to install additional conservation practices. Beyond potential regulation, those who reported feeling this pressure identified soil health, nutrient retention, and cost savings as top reasons for new practice adoption.
“As Iowa continues to expand its watershed approach to water quality, understanding the needs, risks, and barriers farmers face will be critical,” said Rock.
Estos hallazgos pueden orientar las iniciativas de mejora de la calidad del agua por parte de investigadores, agricultores, organizaciones de gestión de cuencas hidrográficas y funcionarios gubernamentales. El Centro de Asuntos Rurales se dedica a facilitar soluciones basadas en la investigación que beneficien a las comunidades y personas del medio rural.
Para obtener más información y ver el informe, visite cfra.org/publicaciones.
