ISA Environmental Projects

	Pike Run Pike Run Creek is a slow-moving tributary of the Cedar River in eastern Iowa. There is significant corn and soybean production there with many grass and wetland areas. The soils are light-textured with few drainage tiles. Because of the nature of the flow in the creek, Pike Run Creek predominately has very low nitrate concentrations.
	Pike Run Watershed Partners Muscatine Soil and Water Conservation District The Nature Conservancy US Environmental Protection Agency University of Iowa Hygienic Laboratory *G . David Schmidt, Farmer, West Liberty, Iowa* “What I'm hearing from the NRCS and others is that the water quality we have in Pike Run is as good as has been found anywhere. Like everyone else, I'm interested in doing my part to keep it in good shape. When I heard about the Pike Run watershed project, I signed up. With fuel and fertilizer prices what they are, finding ways to use nitrogen more efficiently might not only improve water quality, but it seems obvious that it will help me financially. Learning what's optimum for the productivity of my farm - and not overdosing the crop - will have an immediate impact on my bottom line. When you think about it, most of the things we are learning make sense - it's just good management. And the sooner you start, the sooner you're going to gain.