NEW REPORT PUBLISHED! A Bird in the Hand: Leveraging short term profits for long term sustainability by Ruth McCabe, 2022 US Scholar
07/11/2024
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"If conservation farming practices can generate better short-term profit for farmers, widespread adoption in Iowa is within reach. But without that economic incentive, many farmers are likely to stick with the status quo."
- 2022 Nuffield International Scholar, Ruth McCabe
Making Conservation Profitable: Key to Widespread Adoption in Iowa
Ruth McCabe, an agricultural scholar from Iowa, has explored global strategies to increase the adoption of conservation farming practices (CFPs) in her home state. Through her Nuffield International Scholarship, supported by the Iowa Soybean Association, Iowa Farm Bureau, Iowa Pork Producers Association, and People's Company, Ruth travelled to several countries to investigate how different regions have successfully implemented CFPs and how similar methods could be applied in Iowa.
In Iowa, where intensive farmland management is the norm, nutrient and soil loss are significant issues. Conservation farming is gaining traction, but its adoption lags compared to other parts of the world. Ruth's research indicates that for CFPs to be widely adopted in Iowa, they must offer immediate economic benefits to farmers, especially tenant farmers who often prioritize short-term profits.
"While some CFPs like no-tillage (NT) have revolutionized farming in other regions, in Iowa, they can sometimes result in yield losses or offer minimal agronomic benefits," Ruth explains. "This makes them a tough sell to the average tenant farmer, who is more likely to stick with what's working now rather than gamble on uncertain long-term benefits."
Ruth's travels took her to various countries where she observed successful CFP adoption driven by profitability. In these regions, the practices made "absolute common sense" for farmers, delivering immediate agronomic gains. However, Ruth found that in Iowa, the scenario is different. The lack of short-term profitability in some CFPs has slowed their adoption, particularly among "middle adopters"--those farmers who are cautious about change.
To shift this trend, Ruth's report offers several recommendations for stakeholders working to promote conservation agriculture in Iowa:
Public and non-profit agencies should collaborate with agricultural retailers to build effective conservation programming.
Agricultural retailers need to play an active role in promoting and supporting conservation practices.
Academic researchers should explore how landowner status impacts CFP adoption decisions.
Public agencies should develop separate cost-share programs for tenants and landowners, with realistic payment rates.
Policy makers should consider modifying tax codes to incentivize landowner adoption of CFPs and explore a new land value index that incorporates soil health.
Ruth's report is now available on the Nuffield International website and provides valuable insights for farmers, landowners, researchers, public agency staff, policymakers, and ag retailers who are interested in advancing conservation agriculture in Iowa.
