Iowa Nutrient Research & Education Council

05/14/2026

Want to stay in the loop on Iowa nutrient research, field projects and upcoming opportunities?

Sign up for The INREC Recap to get the latest updates from the Iowa Nutrient Research & Education Council delivered right to your inbox. From research findings to project announcements and ways to get involved, we will keep you informed without filling your inbox with fluff.

Don't miss what is happening next. Sign up today.
https://bit.ly/48ICZeQ

05/12/2026

At INREC, we’re proud to support tools that help Iowa farmers thrive, and the partners who make it happen. IAWA's new Conservation Compass makes it easier than ever to find cost-share programs for livestock practices, cover crops and more.

If you're a producer looking to put more programs to work on your operation, this is where you start. Check it out at TheCompass.ag.

05/05/2026

The response to the spring nitrogen soil sampling project has been great, and enrollment is now full. We appreciate all the interest from farmers across the area and the commitment to making informed nutrient decisions.

There will be another opportunity to participate in the project again this fall. If you want to stay up to date on timing, locations and how to get involved, be sure to sign up for the INREC Recap newsletter. https://bit.ly/48ICZeQ

If you would like to see this project expand into additional counties, drop a comment below. 👇

04/30/2026

Nitrogen is a costly input, and guessing your sidedress rate isn’t cutting it anymore.

Tools like N-FACT are changing the game by using real on-farm data to help dial in how much nitrogen your crop actually needs. You’re not just protecting your soil, you’re protecting your bottom line.

Planning ahead matters. The right rate at the right time can help reduce loss, improve efficiency and avoid putting dollars in the ground that never make it to the crop.

With input costs where they are today, knowing your numbers isn’t optional. It’s essential.

https://bit.ly/3EWzQeC

04/27/2026

Pig farmers and landowners in the North Raccoon River watersheds can install proven water quality practices like saturated buffers and bioreactors—with 100% of construction costs covered, plus a $1,000 incentive.

This is a simple way to reduce nitrate loss and improve water quality without the usual hassle.

For more information, contact Abbey Inman at 515-868-0313 or [email protected]

04/22/2026

On Earth Day, it all comes back to taking care of the ground we farm.

We’re focused on practical ways to protect and improve soil and water, because what happens in the field doesn’t always stay in the field. From smarter nutrient management to conservation practices that work, it’s about keeping our land productive today and for the long haul.

That’s something worth working toward every day.

04/21/2026

There may be more nitrogen sitting in your soil than you think.
Carryover. Mineralization. Weather.
It all adds up.

This pilot program from INREC is designed to help you measure it instead of guessing with FREE standardized sampling and consistent results you can trust.

More precision where it counts. Learn more now.

https://bit.ly/484H6B7

04/18/2026

What’s in your soil right now?
Not last fall. Not last year. Right now.

INREC's Spring Nitrogen Soil Sampling Program helps answer that—before you make your next nitrogen decision.
✔ No cost to you
✔ Sampling done for you
✔ Results you can actually use
✔ Data to back up your rate

More precision where it counts. Learn more now.

https://bit.ly/484H6B7

04/15/2026

Your Nitrogen program should be smarter and data-driven.
Start with checking what’s in the soil.

Farmers in Webster, Hamilton, Boone, Calhoun and Greene Counties can now access free spring soil sampling through INREC’s Spring Nitrogen Soil Sampling Program.

You’ll get:
• Field-specific nitrogen data
• Confidence heading into sidedress
• A clearer picture of what’s already working for you

No cost. No guesswork. Just better decisions.

Learn more now: https://bit.ly/484H6B7

04/14/2026

Yesterday, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig introduced central Iowa farmers to a project offering free nitrogen soil sampling, an opportunity to reduce input costs and support better water quality.
Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship https://bit.ly/4cndkIP

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and the Iowa Nutrient Research & Education Council (INREC) today announced a new, three-year Nitrogen Soil Sampling Project that will conduct nitrogen soil testing for farmers in targeted areas upstream from the Des Moines metro. Testing for residual nitrogen in the soil can help farmers dial in their fertilizer application rates, which may help cut input costs while delivering meaningful water quality benefits.

04/09/2026

Planting is right around the corner, and nitrogen decisions shouldn’t be an afterthought.

Sidedress might feel a long way off, but the most successful plans are built now. Knowing your approach ahead of time helps you react to weather, manage risk, and stay in control when things get busy.

Tools like N-FACT use real data from fields and weather conditions to help take the guesswork out of how much nitrogen you’ll need. Head into the season with a plan that protects both your soil and your bottom line.

With today’s input costs, a little planning now can save a lot later. Check out N-FACT today: https://bit.ly/3EWzQeC