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Location
Rhodes, Marshall County
Directions: Take Highway 234 south to Highway 330 and
go southwest about 3 miles. Turn north on Binford Avenue and
go half a mile. The lane to the headquarters is on the east side
of the road.
Size
2,008 acres
Owner
Iowa State University
History
Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc. used the farm for research until 1973, when the company transferred the farm to Iowa State. Additional land was added in 1999. The Heart of Iowa Trail, a recreational path from Slater to Melbourne, follows an abandoned railroad right-of-way through the farm.
Superintendent
Ronald Sealock
(641) 493-2653 office and FAX
Agro-Climatic Zone
Central Iowa
Soils
The farm is located in a very hilly, steeply sloping transitional
zone between two major soil associations. The soils are highly
variable. Predominant soils are:
Lester:
5-25 percent slope, well drained, located on upland flats and irregular ridges
Downs:
2-18 percent slope, well drained, occurs on upland ridges and side slopes
Research
Cattle. Animal scientists conduct beef breeding, nutrition, reproduction, health and management studies. Researchers use a herd of 400 Angus cows and their offspring to develop specification lines of beef and to further develop the use of ultrasound to measure body composition. Researchers are using genetic and management systems to produce specification lines of beef for targeted domestic and international markets.
Forages. Researchers are conducting alfalfa and grass variety trials as well as studying the grazing characteristics of native warm season grasses. The extensive pastures allow researchers to conduct management intensive and stock-piled grazing experiments.
Crops. Researchers are studying the use of insecticides and the relative characteristics of insect resistant corn.
Forestry. Researchers grow alder, willow, English oak, silver maple and poplar trees to study their patterns of genetic variation. They are evaluating evergreen species for Christmas tree production. Scientists are also investigating alder trees' ability to fix nitrogen in the soil for use by forages and other trees. Researchers test trees for their ability to tolerate Iowa's climate, pests and diseases. Experiments are underway on using trees as biomass.
Swine. Researchers are conducting side-by-side comparisons of conventional and hoop-style swine finishing units.
Ecology. Ecological and environmental scientists study the interaction of agriculture and Iowa's wildlife.
Facilities
There are extensive calving and breeding barns at the farm.
Twelve cattle feeding pens are used for weaning and feeding trials.
The Heart of Iowa bicycle trail bisects the farm.
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