Strategy continues to evolve based on nutrient reduction data, real-world applications and new technical solutions.

Iowa’s Nutrient Reduction Strategy (INRS) has been updated to reflect new research, practices, partnerships and funding that have emerged since the strategy was introduced 12 years ago. 

The INRS was developed by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS), Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Iowa State University (ISU) as a framework to improve the state’s soil health and water quality from both point and nonpoint sources in a scientific, reasonable and cost-effective manner.

“We’ve learned valuable lessons working alongside farmers and landowners to implement conservation practices, and that’s helping accelerate and scale up adoption,” said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig. 

“The strategy must reflect real-world scenarios, challenges and work that’s happening in priority watersheds. The document will continue to evolve with new research and technology, but we’re unwavering in our commitment to working alongside our public and private partners to achieve the goals outlined in Iowa’s Nutrient Reduction Strategy.”

Key updates

The INRS was last revised in 2017. For nonpoint sources, the 2025 version incorporates a three-year extended rotation as a practice to reduce nitrogen loss. 

Other key updates include:

- a list of affected point source facilities is now posted on the INRS website so it can be updated regularly. 

-measurement of water quality efforts has evolved from a static annual report to an online dashboard updated quarterly.

-The Iowa Water Resources Coordinating Council (WRCC) and 19 state and federal agencies are now listed as collaborators and advisors.

-The Iowa Nutrient Reduction Exchange, established in 2019, is listed as the formal framework for the voluntary nutrient credit trading program. 

New implementation strategies 

Conservation practices will continue to be deployed in watersheds identified in the original INRS, Naig said. 

The updated document outlines new implementation strategies that are being used to maximize funding and impact while accelerating practice adoption, such as the “Batch and Build process, which streamlines the development process for landowners by building a group of practices at the same time instead of working with individual landowners. The state has completed five “batches” to date and is expanding this process to include new geographies and partners.

In addition, popular edge-of-field practices like saturated buffers and multi-purpose oxbows were listed as approved nutrient-reduction strategies after the original strategy was developed.??Other updated implementation strategies include new crop production technologies like biologics and precision ag tools like variable rate technology and Y-drop nozzles that help farmers reduce and fine-tune fertilizer management. 

IDALS has also established other programs, such as its cover crop insurance discount program, and established partnerships with conservation agronomists and other groups to increase research, outreach, technical support and funding. 

A cooperative agreement with ISU College of Agriculture and Life Science will increase monitoring of installed edge-of-field practices. This data will enhance current understanding of practice efficacy and inform future implementation efforts.? 

“Iowa State University is committed to the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy and to providing scientific leadership to ensure its long-term success. This includes generating relevant new water quality research, developing new technologies to support INRS implementation and studying the performance of existing conservation practices,” said Daniel J. Robison, Endowed Dean’s Chair of the Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. “We are also actively involved in efforts to understand and accelerate the rate of practice adoption and track activities and practice implementation associated with the INRS.”

The revised INRS is now available online at https://www.nutrientstrategy.iastate.edu/.