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Farm
Annual Research Reports on the Web
Location
Sutherland, O'Brien County; Doon, Lyon County
Directions: 11 miles north of Cherokee on U.S.
Highway 59 and a quarter mile east on County Road B-62.
Size
329 acres
Owner
Northwest Iowa Experimental Association
Association President
Ron Christensen
3965 170th Ave.
Spencer, IA 51301
History
The association purchased two tracts, 37 acres in Lyon
County and 75 acres in O'Brien County, in 1954. In 1989 and
1990, the organization purchased additional land, 152 acres
in O'Brien County and 60 acres in Lyon County. The original
tracts have been sold.
Superintendent
Dave
Haden
(712) 446-2526 office and FAX
Agro-Climatic Zone
Northwest Iowa
Soils
Terrain is nearly level to gently rolling and is well
drained. The soils are loess derived. Predominant soils
are:
Galva:
2-5 percent slope, well drained, occurs on uplands and gentle slopes
Primghar:
1-3 percent slope, moderately well to moderately poorly drained, occurs on broad ridges
Sac:
2-5 percent slope, well drained, occurs on side slopes
Moody:
2-5 percent slope, well drained, occurs in extreme Northwest Iowa
Research
Crops. Scientists study fertilizer requirements of corn and soybeans in different crop rotations. Th ey study corn yields under various planting and fertilization rates and moisture conditions. Herbicides are evaluated and new varieties of oats, soybeans, barley and grain sorghum are tested.
Tillage. Researchers compare ridge-till, no-till and conventional tillage methods to determine the effects on crop yield, pest control and soil compaction. A fertilizer point-injector that was designed by an ISU agricultural engineer and tested at the farm is used to study the effects of exact placement of fertilizer on crop growth, yields and water quality in reduced tillage systems.
Soils. Researchers study soil fertility and soil management systems. Agronomists study nutrient requirements of area crops and apply nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and lime to observe crop yield response to the nutrients.
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