In this episode, Tony Mensing sits down with Dr. Matt Helmers to explore the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy (INRS)—an initiative launched in 2013 to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus runoff into the Mississippi River and Gulf of Mexico by 45%. Dr. Helmers breaks down the science and policy behind the strategy, highlighting the roles of both agricultural (non-point) and municipal/industrial (point) sources.

Tune in to hear how Iowa is measuring success against historical baselines (1980–1996), and what’s next in scaling up implementation to meet ambitious water quality goals.

Tony Mensing and Brett Ramirez discuss the importance of preparing swine barns for winter. Key steps include ensuring equipment functionality, particularly fans and heaters, and maintaining a tight barn to prevent air leaks. Regular maintenance and checks are essential for effective winter ventilation.

Winter Ventilation Checklist AE 3553B

In this episode of Engineering Your Farm, Tony Mensing discusses soybean harvest challenges with Dan Andersen. They discuss adjusting combine settings, measuring field and harvest losses, and ensuring the safe operation of equipment.

Publications mentioned in the podcast are PM 573: Profitable Soybean Harvesting, PM 574: Profitable Corn Harvesting, and PM 1636: Soybean Harvesting and Drying.